Google has finally made the long-awaited Android 4.3 Jelly Bean official along with the launch of the refreshed Nexus 7.
The latest OS is not a major overhaul of the Jelly Bean platform, but it brings several new features and improvements for both developers and users.
Android 4.3 Jelly Bean brings performance improvements, restricted profiles, graphics boost, a redesigned camera interface, smoother animations, enhancements to security, as well as support for Bluetooth Low Energy.
Here are the top 3 features we love most about Android 4.3 Jelly Bean.
1. Restricted Profiles
This handy feature will be welcomed by Android users who have children tinkering with their handsets. Even though Android offered support for multiple users, this version brings specific profiles which can be set-up with restrictions. This basically means that users have the option to create separate environments for each user, which will keep children or inquisitive people from snooping around on their device.
"Each restricted profile offers an isolated and secure space with its own local storage, home screens, widgets, and settings," explains Google. "Unlike with users, profiles are created from the owner's environment, based on the tablet owner's installed apps and system accounts. The owner controls which installed apps are enabled in the new profile, and access to the owner's accounts is disabled by default."
2. Bluetooth Smart Ready Support
With a bevy of Bluetooth devices available in the market that are Bluetooth Smart Ready, the built-in support offered by Android 4.3 will be well received by consumers.
"Android 4.3 introduces built-in platform support for Bluetooth Smart Ready in the central role and provides a standard set of APIs that apps can use to discover nearby devices, query for GATT services, and read/write characteristics," notes Google.
The new APIs enable users to scan for devices and services that are of interest to them. They can also check for GATT supported services by UUID and implement support for any GATT device profile.
3.OpenGL ES 3.0 for high-performance graphics
This functionality enables high-quality 2D and 3D graphics for supported devices and faster frame rates for both games and videos. Basically, this feature brings a superior video and gaming experience.
"Android 4.3 introduces platform support for Khronos OpenGL ES 3.0, providing games and other apps with highest-performance 2D and 3D graphics capabilities on supported devices. You can take advantage of OpenGL ES 3.0 and related EGL extensions using either framework APIs or native API bindings through the Android Native Development Kit (NDK)," notes Google.
Currently only the Nexus 7, Nexus 10 and Nexus 4 support OpenGL ES 3.0, but more devices are expected to support the same in the near term.
