Jelly Bean

Android Central

Android version 4.1-4.2, codenamed Jelly Bean, is the current version of Google's mobile OS. Jelly Bean puts a renewed focus on UI speed and responsiveness, while further enhancing the UI introduced in Android 4.0. There's a completely redesigned notification API, allowing notifications to be expanded to include widget-like functionality. A re-vamped Google search interface includes the ability to pose questions directly and have them answered in voice. And a new Camera app allows shots to be easily reviewed and deleted. In addition, the new Google Now predictive search service puts data like location and search history to work to provide relevant real-time information.

Jelly Bean (Android 4.1) made its debut on the Nexus 7 tablet at Google I/O in June 2012. This was followed by a maintenance upgrade to Android 4.2 Jelly Bean later in the year, coinciding with the Nexus 4 and Nexus 10 launch. Android 4.2 featured new lock screen widgets, more improvements to the stock Android camera app, gesture-based typing and new quick settings shortcuts accessible via the notification bar.

Keep watching Android Central's coverage for all the latest news on Jelly Bean upgrades for existing devices.

Article

Android Central Podcast 102: Jelly Beans and Galaxy S3 all over the damn place

by Phil Nickinson

Jul 13, 2012

Thing 1: Jelly Beans all over the damn place Android 4.1 Jelly Bean released to Android Open Source Project Google shipping the Galaxy Nexus again Jelly Bean: Will your phone ge...

Article

Early video shows CyanogenMod 10 progress on Optimus 4X HD

by Alex Dobie

Jul 13, 2012

With the Android 4.1 source code having recently dropped on AOSP, custom ROM makers are quickly making progress in getting the new version ported to a variety of devices. One of those is the much-an...

Article

Jelly Bean feature: A more functional notification drop-down [video]

by Alex Dobie

Jul 12, 2012

Google took its first steps towards redesigning the Android notification tray in Ice Cream Sandwich, and in the latest version, 4.1 Jelly Bean, it's taken things a step further, creating truly i...

Article

Jelly Bean: Will your phone get an update?

by Jerry Hildenbrand

Jul 11, 2012

Android 4.1 Jelly Bean is official and coming soon to an Android smartphone near you. Maybe. It's that time of year again! We've got a brand spankin' new version of Android in Jelly ...

Article

How to manually flash today's Jelly Bean updates to your GSM Galaxy Nexus [updated with 4.0.4 files]

by Jerry Hildenbrand

Jul 10, 2012

So you want the latest version of Jelly Bean, but don't want to wait for your turn at the OTA and don't want to flash a custom version of it. We completely understand -- Not everyone is into...

Article

Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean begins rolling out to HSPA+ Galaxy Nexus

by Alex Dobie

Jul 10, 2012

Google has announced that the new version of Android, 4.1 Jelly Bean, is now rolling out to GSM/HSPA+ Galaxy Nexus phones -- that's the international model, and the one sold through the Google P...

Article

Android 4.1.1 - an early look at a compiled build

by Jerry Hildenbrand

Jul 10, 2012

As the resident Android Central code-monkey (a badge I proudly wear) I've been running on fumes and caffeine to test out the AOSP 4.1.1 code since it dropped last night. You knew I had to do it,...

Article

Late-night poll: Will we see a new version of Android this year?

by Jerry Hildenbrand

Jul 10, 2012

Alex brings up a good point earlier today about Google not releasing a new version of Android this year. Jelly Bean brings a lot of under the hood changes, and it's highly possible that Google i...

Article

It really is a Nexus after all

by Jerry Hildenbrand

Jul 09, 2012

Binaries to use for the 4.1.1 AOSP build for the Verizon Galaxy Nexus have been posted at Google's Nexus drivers page. This means developers (of the ROM building variety) have the tools they nee...

Article

Android 4.1 Jelly Bean released to Android Open Source Project

by Alex Dobie

Jul 09, 2012

Android Open Source Project guru Jean-Baptiste Queru sends word that the new version of Android, 4.1 Jelly Bean, is being released to AOSP today. This process is the first step in the official relea...

Article

Jelly Bean feature: Camera app tweaks for easier photo management

by Alex Dobie

Jul 09, 2012

Android 4.1 Jelly Bean introduces a couple of new features in the stock camera app, with the aim of making it easier to sort through and prune all those photos you've been shooting with zero shu...

Article

Why we don't need another version of Android this year

by Alex Dobie

Jul 09, 2012

The case for sticking with Jelly Bean until 2013 Android followers, more than most smartphone communities, are constantly focused on the future, be it the next major OS update, or the next big s...

Review

Nexus 7 review

by Jerry Hildenbrand

Jul 06, 2012

The long-awaited Google Nexus 7 tablet is upon us, and for many it is all we ever dreamed of. But not everything is perfect. Since you're reading this, chances are you're an Android fan....

Article

CyanogenMod 10 will be Jelly Bean

by Chris Parsons

Jul 05, 2012

That's a question many folks have been asking since Jelly Bean was announced at Google I/O 2012 and there really hasn't been a definitive answer to point people to. Now though, we're get...

Article

Jelly Bean feature: A buttery new home screen launcher

by Alex Dobie

Jul 05, 2012

Following its total re-vamp in Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, Google has spent the past six months fine-tuning the stock Android launcher in version 4.1, Jelly Bean. A couple of chan...

Article

Jelly Bean feature: Sending photos and videos over Android Beam

by Alex Dobie

Jul 05, 2012

In Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, Android Beam -- that's the NFC-based device-to-device transfer service -- has been augmented to support sending photo and video content. This is done from within the G...

Article

Injunction upheld against Galaxy Nexus; Samsung and Google say they have a fix

by Jerry Hildenbrand

Jul 03, 2012

Samsung's request for a stay in the potential Galaxy Nexus sales ban was denied this evening by U.S. District Court Judge Lucy Koh. As everyone knows, Judge Koh decided last Friday that she...

Article

Nexus 7: The internationally challenged tablet

by Alex Dobie

Jul 03, 2012

I like my Nexus 7. It’s speedy, well-designed and runs a pure, unmolested version of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. But since I’ve returned with it to the UK, Google’s flagship tablet has...