With Microsoft and Apple already having introduced their new versions of mobile operating system (iOS 6 and Windows Phone 8), it is definite to presume that Google will not sit quite. The highly acclaimed Android OS creator is expected to provide details of the future Android version at its big developer's conference next week.
However, ahead of the conference, Google seems to have inadvertently spilled the beans and revealed the version number of their next iteration of Android aka Jelly Bean. However, it is not Android 5.0 but rather it would be Android 4.1.
The leaked report has suggested that Jelly Bean is due very soon, and the tech enthusiasts might see the launch as early as next week's -- Google I/O developer event.
Besides all this the bad news for the tech gossipers is that Jelly Bean is now expected to be unveiled just as a minor update. However, it is likely to improve on some of existing features and bring user interface changes to the operating system.
Meanwhile, the screenshot leak has also revealed that Galaxy Nexus is expected to be the first device to get the next version of Android.
The report was first noticed by Engadget and the information is confirmed as it has come from Google's Play store itself, where it sells its flagship phone, the Galaxy Nexus. Upon checkout, the phone's description called the Galaxy Nexus: "The latest smartphone from Google, soon the first phone with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean."
Also, according to a user named Lil Jones on the XDA Developers forum, a popular site among Android developers, Google Play listed that the imminent software upgrade for the handset would be Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.
The website Droid Life also saw the same product description on Google Play after adding a Galaxy Nexus to a Google Play shopping cart.
However, Google took the product listing down after a few minutes.
The Galaxy Nexus is still available through Google Play, however, it no longer makes mention of Android 4.1.
A shot of the Galaxy Nexus sporting a new pink and green wallpaper and what looks like a new search box still shows up (as seen in the picture) on Google Play, when the Galaxy Nexus is in a user's shopping cart.
Google's current version of Android - Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich - has already brought in a huge amount of fresh functionality. However, a lot is expected from Jelly Bean.
File manager: Past reports predicted that Jelly Bean could come with an in-built File Manager that will enable users to easily organize their files and access them accordingly.
Integrated Google Chrome: Android fans and techies are expecting that Google will integrate the Chrome browser with Jelly Bean that will give the users the same experience as the desktop version of Google Chrome.
Battery Power: Although Android 4.0 ICS has great battery efficiency and power management, theJelly Bean is expected to go a step further to improve the efficiency of the phone's battery and power management by allowing users to take more control over the services.
Efficient Upgrades: If rumors are to be believed, Google is expected to de-couple UI customizations from the Core OS to enable manufacturers to apply customizations to Stock AOSP Android in the minimum amount of time with which there will be faster release of updates and upgrades.
Jelly Bean Lite: Android OS definitely works efficiently on high-end dual-core phones, however, when it comes to lower end devices, the performance, reportedly, becomes very poor. Many users have also urged Google to release a lighter version of Android OS for midrange and lower end smartphones to rid themselves of the problem of performance of OS.
It is likely that Google will release a lighter version (Jelly Bean Lite), for smartphones with limited CPU and storage.
The new OS is also expected to come with a colorful theme, options in screen lock widgets, toggle switches and an enhanced upgrading process for Android devices.
