jelly bean

Android users are flocking to the latest version of Google's mobile operating system in droves.

The number of active devices running Jelly Bean -- Android 4.1 and 4.2, combined -- rose 3.4 points to 28.4 percent in April, surpassing Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0), which fell 1.8 points to 27.5 percent, according to monthly user numbers published by Google on Wednesday. Jelly Bean's growing adoption rate was not enough to overtake the declining Gingerbread (Android 2.3), which slid 1.7 points to 38.5 percent.

The numbers, which are derived … Read more

Owners of Sony's Xperia S tablet will finally get a crack at Android 4.1.1, aka Jelly Bean, early today.

Sony expects to push the update to its production server sometime between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. PT. Xperia S owners will then receive a notice in the bottom right Notification Area alerting them that a system update is available. Users can also follow the steps outlined on Sony's System Update page to manually check for the latest Android flavor.

The update will be available in the U.S, Canada, and Latin America. … Read more

AT&T announced today that customers that own an LG Escape can update their devices to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean through a Wi-Fi connection.

A few changes in the new software version include grouping notifications that belong under the same app, and the ability to see the full text or photo of incoming messages in the notifications menu.

In addition, you can also get AT&T DriveMode with the update. Designed to keep drivers from using their phones, the app sends out automatic text responses to incoming texts, e-mails, or calls when it senses that it's … Read more

Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket owners finally have their shot at Android 4.1.

Available as of Wednesday, the Jelly Bean flavor of Android can be downloaded courtesy of AT&T.

Users can update their OS to Android 4.1.2 by following the how-to page on the carrier's Web site. The update does require Galaxy S2 Skyrocket users to download the software through Samsung's Kies and then sync it with their mobile phone.

Jelly Bean offers a number of enhancements over its predecessor, as an AT&T blog points out.

The notification screen organizes updates … Read more

As one of the more handy options in Android 4.2.2, the Quick Settings menu gives users easy access to common device settings.

Accessible by swiping down from the right side of the notification bar, the menu allows for toggling of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, brightness, and more.

Unfortunately, only 2 percent of today's Android smartphones run Android 4.2, with even fewer running this particular release. Enter AntTek Quick Settings.

Available for any Android device running 2.1 or later, this free application provides not only the standard Quick Settings options, but a ton of extras as well.

Even … Read more

Google Now, the predictive search feature for the latest version of Android, rolled out an update today that includes the ability to track packages in real time.

Triggered by swiping from the bottom of the screen, Google Now draws on calendar, location, and search history to automatically present information that a device thinks its user needs to know. The update, which is available to users of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean at the Google Play store, allows people to monitor the progress of packages slated to be delivered to them from select carriers once a tracking number has arrived in … Read more

More Android devices are gobbling up Jelly Bean, but it's largely because of a tweak in how Google calculates the adoption of its mobile operating system.

Jelly Bean, or Android 4.1 to 4.2, made up a quarter of all Android devices, according to data captured during two weeks that ended on April 2. That's an increase from 16 percent a month ago. Droid Life first spotted the data on the Android developer blog site.

Google, however, noted that for the most recent data, it used a different method of tallying up the devices. Previously, the device … Read more

Sprint today announced an Android 4.1 update for the Samsung Galaxy S2. Yes, you read that right. The flagship smartphone from 2011 is getting a new coat of paint.

As expected, the Android 4.1 software update brings about changes such as Google Now, Project Butter animations, and lock screen widgets. Also included are the requisite richer notifications, smarter keyboard, and improved Google Search.

In addition to the standard Jelly Bean features, the Samsung Galaxy S2 is getting some of the Galaxy S3's more popular options. Details include the Smart Stay eye tracking for keeping the phone awake … Read more

AT&T today announced that the Samsung Galaxy Express has started receiving an Android 4.1 update.

The relatively newish Samsung Galaxy Express is Ma Bell's latest Android to see the Jelly Bean update. As is the case with other Android 4.1 updates, notable improvements include Google Now, enriched notifications, and smarter widgets.

AT&T has also included a number of additional details in the Android 4.1 update, including Blocking Mode for disabling incoming calls and texts. Additionally, the Samsung Galaxy Express will now feature Easy Mode, which provides users with a more stripped-down version … Read more