jelly bean

Windows 8 and Android Jelly Bean: To wait or not to wait?

Windows 8 is hoping to merge tablet touch screens into our desktops, laptops and whatever hybrid devices we might be using a year from now. Meanwhile, Google is allegedly already at work on Android 5.0 Jelly Bean and is looking to further integrate its mobile OS with Windows 8. It's a lot to look forward to, but where does that leave us for the rest of 2012?

In my case, my old Windows laptop is on its last legs--as is my much-abused Android phone. It's time to buy new hardware, but unfortunately we're stuck in an awkward in-between time for both operating systems and hardware.

Last month at CES in Las Vegas, I had a chance to play with the perhaps too cleverly named Yoga from Lenovo--it's a laptop with a keyboard and touch screen. The keyboard folds all the way around nearly 360 degrees to transform into a de facto tablet.

With the Yoga in my hand, a single thought repeated itself in my head--so, this is what Windows 8 is meant for!… Read more

Android 5.0 'Jelly Bean' launching in Q2? Eh, maybe

Taiwan's Digitimes is at it again, and this time, the publication says it knows when Android 5.0 (Jelly Bean) will launch.

The online publication says it has talked to Taiwan-based supply chain vendors who claim Google is planning to launch Android 5.0 at some point in the second quarter. The operating system will be optimized for tablets, Digitimes' sources say.

However, it is Digitimes' claim that vendors will be able to add Android 5.0 to a Windows 8-based tablet or notebook, allowing users to switch between the operating systems without a reboot, that's getting the … Read more

Jelly Bean emerges as next version of Android

As Google's Eric Schmidt tells us, we are still weeks, perhaps even months, away from seeing the first devices to run Android Ice Cream Sandwich.

Expected to launch as Android 4.0, the next build of the platform will combine features from both the Gingerbread and Honeycomb builds. Though we wait for official announcements, the rumor mill has already churned out the next release beyond Ice Cream Sandwich. Say hello to Jelly Bean.

According to a source close to This Is My Next, Google has been internally referring to the build as Jelly Bean, however, it's not an … Read more

Android's next version to be Jelly Bean?

This is My Next has a scoop that the next version of the Android OS might be called "Jelly Bean." This is in line with Google's habit of alphabetically naming its Android firmware updates after desserts or sugary snacks. The site doesn't know what the version number is, however--indeed, no one knows the Ice Cream Sandwich version number either.

According to This is My Next's source, some of the more intriguing features for Ice Cream Sandwich may be postponed to Jelly Bean, which sounds like some features might not be ready yet for Ice Cream Sandwich's October release date. This is all rampant speculation, of course, and we're sure to get more details once the first Ice Cream Sandwich phones debut later this year. … Read more

Jelly Belly phone cases: Scratch 'n' sniff your iPhone

I've often heard it said that smell is the most powerful of our five senses. I just never thought I would be inhaling the luscious fruity scent of my smartphone case.

You may soon catch people huffing their iPhones, BlackBerrys, and iPods, however, with the release of ESI's Jelly Belly line of cases. This is scratch 'n' sniff for the tech crowd.

The plastic cases come scented with one of five popular Jelly Belly flavors: Strawberry Cheesecake, Very Cherry, Blueberry, Licorice, and Berry Blue. What, no Root Beer? That's my favorite.… Read more