Andoid 4.2 Jelly Bean : Best new features

Posted by Digital Estate on 0

Jelly Bean is an incremental update to Google's Android 4.0 Ice cream Sandwich mobile OS, but it helps Android close the gap on Ios and has been very well received by those lucky enough to be able to access it. Indeed , while version 4.2 Jelly Bean is now upon us , as seen on the nexus 4 smartphone and Nexus 7 and 10 tablets. most devices are yet to be upgraded to 4.1 from 4.0 , let alone to 4.2 . Here we will look in - depth at the changes in jelly bean 4.1 and then explain some of the new features added to 4.2

Performance

One of the first things you notice when you use jelly bean for the first time is the speed boost. Google calls it' Project butter', and we can vouch for the fact it is  lag-free and super - smooth . it's extended vsync timing to all drawing and animation . tripled the graphics buffering and even applied some wizardry that anticipates where on the display your finger will move next . following a period of inactivity , a CPU  input boost is applied at the next touch event to eliminate latency.

Interface

Since Jelly Bean is an incremental update to 4.0 Ice cream sandwich, the interface has not seen a mojor overhaul. The main addition is smooth animations , seen  when you open an app . for example . rather than the app suddenly popping up when you tap its icon , the animation gradually appears from whereever that icon is placed on screen . Another improvement is that widgets and app shortcuts will automatically rearrange themselves around a new objects, and if there 's only a certain space available the widgets will resize itself to fit.

Notifications

The notifications bar has been enhanced and can now show more detail, such as including a text message or photo . Some notifications can be expanded or collapsed with a two-finger gesture . As well as showing more information , users can respond to the notification via multiple option buttons without opening the associated app. you could respond to a missed call by returning the call directly from the alert  for example.

Google Now

One of the best new features in jelly bean is called Google Now, the latest development in Google search . its aim is to stay one step ahead of you, offering the answers to your  question before you ask them. For Google Now to work at its best it needs to get to know you. When logged into your google account . it will use your search history to learn what sort of things you look for. if you are happy to divulge your search habits, location and similiar information. Google Now will quickly become a useful tool.

Dictation and key board input

Untill jelly bean , Android's voice - input features has required a data connection to function. Now you can dictate an email or text message for instance regardless of whether you have a mobile or wi-fi connection . Words appear onscreen almost immediately after they have left your mouth.

Voice search

As before, you can use the microphone icon to perform a voice search . Like Apple's Siri. you can have the answers read aloud to you. Android also gets one over on siri in the UK , since you can serach for local businesses and attractions.

Chrome

Google chrome is the default web browser . it offers an excellent tabbed browsing experiance and things such as your bookmarks , most visited sites and even open tabs can be easily synchronised with the desktop version of chrome. There sre other nifty setting too, such as the ability to configure text scalling.

Flash

The biggest issue with jelly bean is its lack of flash support . This puts it in a similar position to the iPad, on which Flash - based web and video content is inaccessible . if you are happy to do a bit of hacking there are ways around this

New in Jelly Bean 4.2

Android 4.2 jelly bean is preloaded on google,s own brand Nexus devices . It has not announced when the free update will roll out to other devices - as always . if and when your specific device is upgraded will depend on whether its manufacturer decide doing so is worth its while.

   A new feature is the ability to configure multiple user accounts each with its own Home screens , backgrounds , widgets widgets , apps and games , it's a snap to swich between users without logging out .

Gesture typing is another neat addition , which in effect turns Android's keyboard into a swype-stylekeyboard. youglide a finger over the charcters you wish to use . and it intelligent works out what you are trying to write , automatically inserting spaces.

 If you like taking panoramic photos.photo sphere is great . This camera features allows you to take continuous pictures in any direction thrn stitches them together in a sphere.

Also new is wireless display technology which lets you share what's on your device on a larger screen expandable notifications for more apps. lock-screen widgets and quick setting in the  Notification bar.

Note that not all these features will necessarily be available on all devices running android 4.2 . since the manufacturer will the OS hoe it sees fit.