jelly bean

Android 4.2.2 hits international HTC One

HTC has begun deploying an Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean update to the HTC One, according to Android Central.

Users living in Taiwan are reportedly starting to see the Android 4.2.2 update. While HTC has yet to make any formal announcements, the 456MB update file includes a number of changes to the flagship smartphone. Among the details are a new lock screen style and widget, an enhanced launcher bar, quick settings, and a battery percentage in the notification bar.

For now, only those in Taiwan are reported to see the update; however, we might soon expect some … Read more

Waiting on the next Nexus 7

The second generation of Nexus 7 tablet could arrive before the end of July, according to one Google+ user who chatted with an Asus support rep.

The LiveChat, which Android Authority first posted yesterday, was between an Asus representative and Google+ user Tim P. In the chat, the rep tells Tim that the rumored Asus K009 would be offered to the public, "before the ending of July." [sic]

Taking things a step further, the agent went rogue and spilled a laundry list of hardware details. Reportedly, the Nexus 7 will run Android 4.3 Jelly Bean and will … Read more

Android 4.3 allegedly caught on Google Play Galaxy S4

Google's next version of Android may have taken its latest bow courtesy of a batch of leaked screenshots.

Images obtained and posted by Sammobile purport to reveal an early Android 4.3 build running on the Google Play Edition Galaxy S4. The screenshots clearly display the Android version number as 4.3, while the model number of GT-i9505G refers to Google's new "pure" version of the Galaxy S4.

Another screenshot shows that Google is apparently sticking with the Jelly Bean moniker for Android 4.3.

This isn't the first time Android 4.3 has surfaced … Read more

Turn your Kindle Fire into an Android 4.2 tablet

For a long time I've been a fan of N2A Cards, which sells a simple plug-and-play way to turn Barnes & Noble's Nook tablets into full-blown Android tablets. After all, if you've got good hardware, why not unlock its maximum potential?

Now Kindle owners can get in on the action. N2A's new N2Aos service will install Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) on your first- or second-generation Kindle Fire, replacing Amazon's heavily customized -- and, some would say, limited -- operating system with the real deal.

There are, of course, a few important considerations.… Read more

Sprint to launch Android 4.1 flagship device dubbed Vital?

Word has it that Sprint is looking to debut its own high-end large-screened Android 4.1 smartphone, according to Engadget.

Sources familiar with the matter have given Engadget a host of photos and specs on the alleged ZTE-made device -- supposedly named "Vital." In addition to running on Android's Jelly Bean, the phone is said to have a 5-inch HD display, 13-megapixel rear camera, 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 8GB of internal storage, and a 2,500mAh battery. Apparently, the device will run on Sprint's 4G LTE network.

News of this mysterious flagship device first leaked in … Read more

Android 4.3 pops up in the wild after skipping Google I/O

After failing to appear at Google I/O, evidence that Android 4.3 is forthcoming soon has been leaking out slowly. Now, the first photos of the next sweet iteration of the mobile OS running on a device have been spotted. It looks to be a new flavor of Jelly Bean rather than the whole slice of Key Lime Pie.

Photos that appear to show a Nexus 4 running Android 4.3 at the 2013 Thailand Mobile Expo have surfaced on the xdadevelopers forum, home to many an Android leak, hack, and more.… Read more

Review: Jelly Bean Launcher updates your home screen, at least visually

Jelly Bean Launcher makes your home screen look and feel like you have Android 4.1 instead of an older version. There are a few weird issues with the execution, but Jelly Bean Launcher is a nice compromise if you don't want to root.

You can make this launcher your full-time home screen by making it the default app. The launcher grabs a few widgets from your current app's menu to paste on your home screen. It doesn't check your current home screen layout, though, so you'll be stuck rearranging things to make them match. Since … Read more

Google Play Music ups its radio game on Android

Hot off the presses of Google IO 2013, Google Music is back with a new name, look, and service. Formerly known as Google Music, Google has now opted to brand their player as part of the Google Play Service. And though the name doesn't exactly flow very well, Google Play Music is now much more than just the cloud-powered player that comes with Android.

In an effort to compete with the likes of iTunes, Spotify, and Pandora, Google has come out full force with new label partnerships that include Universal and Sony. The result is a completely overhauled app … Read more

Android 4.3 pops up ahead of Google I/O

Rumored to be something between a Jelly Bean and a slice of Key Lime Pie, Android 4.3 is currently appearing in search results on the Android developers' site.

Numerous excerpts in the results reference "Security Enhancements in Android 4.3"

Click through any of those results and you'll find a page with no apparent mentions of the new Android update, although it is hidden in the HTML. Click through the link in that tag and you get a 404. Dead end. Scavenger hunt over.

Guess we have to wait for the expected unveil of the update … Read more

Why the Nexus 7 succeeded where others failed

The Nexus 7 is the most popular pure Android tablet available. How do I know? Well, data compiled by Handset Detective and a bit of clever maths by analyst Ben Evans are certainly strong indicators. But also, everyone and their mother seems to have one. Especially in the U.S., but other markets have also been strong supporters.

I'd even say that the Nexus 7 deserves a decidedly corpulent chunk of credit for giving the overall Android tablet market a boost. Yes, Amazon found success with the first version of the Kindle Fire, but the lack of expected tablet … Read more