Jelly Bean Android 4.1 should be available later this month, although there will be the usual lag between it being released and when it is likely to grace user’s handsets.
Android 4.1 JellyBean update
The main reason behind delays is down to the fact that it is not Google who decides when you get the update, but your handset maker. This is supposed to help with innovation but it is more frustrating than anything else when users cannot get their hands on updates in what they consider to be a timely manner. The delays have sometimes been the cause of the ecosystem being fragmented and making it vulnerable to hacker attacks.
Google did address this problem when they held their I/O conference where they released the PDK for OEMs. This does for hardware makers what the SDK does for writers of software.
While PDKs could help to speed up the upgrade process they may not have much impact on the first release of Jelly Bean Android 4.2 or maybe even 5.0 could have been released before many users have been able to get their hands on Jelly Bean, that’s if they ever get it. ICS after all was released in October 2011 and at the moment the OS is only on around 10% of devices running Android, today.
Which phones are getting the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update?
Some users know for sure that they will get the update, those with the Nexus and Nexus S handsets for instance are going to have it, and of course the Nexus 7 tablet will come with it. Those who get the XOOM from Motorola are also clapping their hands as they will have it, but fans of the Razr handsets have no idea when they will get it, if ever. However with Google taking over Motorola in May, they should.
Samsung should get the update on devices such as the Galaxy S3 and they have said that they would be soon announcing which devices they think are suitable for the update. It is thought that users with HTC and LG may be disappointed as they may not get the update anytime in the near future. LG have already said that they are too busy getting ICS out to worry about Jelly Bean.
At the moment any grand designs for Jelly Bean have been dampened due to the ongoing and messy patents lawsuit between Apple and Samsung. This has already see bans on the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and the Galaxy Nexus phone. While Google are not directly involved in the battle there are certain elements of Android that are. If Apple gains victory over Samsung, the development of Android could see long term consequences.
