After C (Cupcake), D (Donut), E (Eclair), F (Froyo), G (Gingerbread), H (HoneyComb) and I (Ice Cream Sandwich), Google has launched the latest version of its mobile OS, Android 4.1 J (Jelly Bean) at Google I/O 2012 conference that kicked off on June 27 at 9.30 PT.
While the new OS introduces an array of new and intriguing features, check out what we think are the top five elements of Jelly Beans.
1. Smooth and Fast Performance: Thanks Project Butter!
No one can anymore blame Android for being sluggish! With Project Butter, Jelly Bean has given the much-needed and much-awaited boost in the overall responsiveness of the user-interface.
Project Butter has made Google's entire UI fast, fluid and smooth and more responsive. It can even predict your finger movement on the screen. Moreover, Vsync in the new OS has improved the graphical performance. In the new format of the OS, CPU, GPU, and the display itself will work together to triple buffer the graphics pipeline to ensure consistent and smoother frame rates. The latest OS increases the frame rate to 60fps.
2. Richer Notifications
Jelly Bean introduces a richer format of notification. While Android was a pioneer of the notification bar, with Jelly Bean, Google has claimed that the notifications will be "actionable, they expand and collapse, and they're customizable."
And, they are right! The latest Google OS platform has improvised the notification bar in such a way that now you will be able to interact with the item right from the notification shade. You don't even have to go to the app. You can now read an entire email from the notification itself, can even answer, ignore or end a call, see a full photo shared with you and access and control music right from the notification bar.
3. Offline Voice Typing
CNET calls it "Jelly Bean's slickest improvements." And, right they are! Unlike the previous version wherein users had to be connected to the cloud to be able to use it, they can Voice Type their messages without a network connection in the Jelly Bean. Voice input is available even when you're offline!
So far, Google supports only English language but it would soon be available with other languages including Arabic, Hebrew, Persian and other 18 new languages.
4. Resizable Widgets
Android users, who had long been complaining about problems of adding new widgets to homescreen, now will be relieved as the Internet search giant has rightly addressed it. Android 4.1 Jelly Bean is enabled to automatically resize the current and move other widgets to a free home-screen or re-size widgets to fit in the homepage. You can even easily "flick" any unwanted icons away.
5. Voice Search
Google's answer to Siri is finally here! The company has launched (or modified the Voice Action) Voice Search which can launch a few selected some apps and initiate texts, e-mails, and Web searches.
With natural voice input and spoken answers, Voice Search behaves like a personal assistant. The app provides complete results in one central location which again has received a major overhaul in the latest OS. Google has tweaked the search result showing interface and now relevant information will appear right at the front with pictures, source citations, and some fun and intuitive yet relevant information.
Can it evolve as a true Siri competitor in future? Only time will tell.
Other Relevant Features
Among other relevant features, Jelly Bean has introduced Android Beam (using NFC technology, users can share data), Google Now (right information at right time), improved camera and many more.
Jelly Bean Release Date
Google has announced that the OTA updates are scheduled to be released mid-July. But only a few handsets like Motorola Xoom, Samsung Galaxy Nexus and Nexus S devices will be receiving the update.
