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

"Google, what's the best Android blog?"

by Alex Dobie

Jun 30, 2012

Jelly Bean's new Google Now voice assistant clearly knows its stuff. ...

Article

Android 4.1 factory image for the Nexus 7 is now available online

by Jared DiPane

Jun 29, 2012

Did you take your tinkering on your brand new Nexus 7 a little bit to far? Looking to bring it back to its original status, and fix whatever you may have already broken? If you have been patiently w...

Article

Google Currents to be part of Jelly Bean OTA for Nexus devices

by Alex Dobie

Jun 29, 2012

As you'll know if you've been following our Google I/O coverage, Google Currents will ship on the Nexus 7 tablet when it launches next month. But now it's been revealed that Google's...

Article

Face Unlock in Jelly Bean gets a 'Liveness check'

by Richard Devine

Jun 29, 2012

One of the more frivolous features introduced into Android with Ice Cream Sandwich, was the Face Unlock. While it's always been something cool to show off against your iPhone toting friends, it&...

Article

WiFi issues on your Verizon Galaxy Nexus running Jelly Bean? Here's your fix

by Chris Parsons

Jun 29, 2012

If you're among the many who have flashed a Jelly Bean ROM onto your Verizon Galaxy Nexus you no doubt realized there appears to an issue with the WiFi suffering from weak connections. No matter...

Article

Miss the Google I/O 2012 Day 1 Keynote? Watch it now

by Chris Parsons

Jun 28, 2012

If for whatever reason you happened to miss out on the Google I/O 2012 Day 1 Keynote, you can now sit back, relax and take it all in. Google has posted the video to YouTube so you have no reason to ...

Article

Hugo Barra on Nexus 7 first day pre-order numbers: 'It's Big!'

by Richard Devine

Jun 28, 2012

Little more than 24 hours has passed since the official unveiling of the Google Nexus 7, and the subsequent pre-orders becoming available in selected countries around the world. It's pretty much...

Article

Jelly Bean's new notifications take center stage at Google I/O

by Jerry Hildenbrand

Jun 28, 2012

The above was pulled from the documentation for Android long past, but truer words were never spoken. Notifications can make or break a platform, and Google came up with a winning plan in their noti...

Article

Nexus 7 Guidebook available for free in Google Play Books

by Richard Devine

Jun 28, 2012

Read enough about the Google Nexus 7 yet? Just in case you haven't, and you need some light reading while waiting for your shiny new Nexus 7 to arrive, Google's got you covered. Downloadable...

Article

How long before Google Now becomes your homescreen?

by Phil Nickinson

Jun 28, 2012

Let's just throw this out there. Google Now is pretty awesome. A little scary, maybe, which we talked about a bit in last night's Google I/O podcast, but awesome nonetheless. The ability to ...

Article

HTC on Jelly Bean updates

by Phil Nickinson

Jun 28, 2012

So you just got that shiny, new HTC One X or One S (or One V outside the U.S.), and suddenly it's no longer running the latest version of Android. That's no good. Neither is it HTC's fau...

Article

Jelly Bean brings a new permission along - 'read external storage'

by Jerry Hildenbrand

Jun 28, 2012

You might have heard that Google tossed out the next version of Android yesterday, and Jelly Bean is now official. We're pouring through things to find what's new, what's good, and what&...

Article

Android 4.1 Jelly Bean Easter egg animation

by Alex Dobie

Jun 28, 2012

Like ICS, Honeycomb and Gingerbread before it, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean features a neat little "Easter egg" animation within the "About phone" and "About tablet" pa...

Article

Fast & smooth - Project Butter video uploaded by Google Mobile

by Richard Devine

Jun 28, 2012

During yesterdays keynote presentation of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean at Google I/O, you will have heard talk of 'Project Butter.' This is the new, 'buttery smooth,' UI coming along with ...

Article

Google Nexus 7 developed in just 4 months, sold essentially at cost price

by Richard Devine

Jun 28, 2012

So, the Google Nexus 7 is the hot ticket right about now. And so it should be. Despite the substantial leaks and rumors leading up to yesterdays announcement -- including the accidental posting...

Article

Google Nexus 7 to be sold at Carphone Warehouse in the UK, 16GB for £200

by Richard Devine

Jun 28, 2012

It looks like the Google Play Store isn't the only place you'll be able to pick up your shiny new, Google Nexus 7 tablet. Well, in the UK at least. High street retailer, Carphone Warehouse, ...

Article

Google Now official landing page now live

by Richard Devine

Jun 28, 2012

One of the most impressive new features in Android 4.1 Jelly Bean shown off yesterday, is Google Now. The new, personalized search system that tries to make your day that little bit easier.&nbs...

Article

Netflix for Android updated to support Jelly Bean

by Richard Devine

Jun 28, 2012

Seems like the Google suite of applications aren't the only ones being updated to show some Jelly Bean love. Netflix has pushed out an update to the Google Play Store that promises support for A...

Article

Working Jelly Bean build available for Verizon, GSM Galaxy Nexus

by Anndrew Vacca

Jun 28, 2012

Well, that didn't take very long: our crafty friends over at RootzWiki have already brought the I/O Android 4.1 preview build to both the GSM and Verizon Galaxy Nexus. Forum member B16&#...

Article

Google I/O 2012 day one round-up

by Alex Dobie

Jun 28, 2012

It's been a busy day here at Google I/O 2012 in San Francisco -- Google's announced a new version of Android. We've seen the first Nexus tablet, the 7-inch Google Nexus 7. And the first ...