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A Nexus 4 running build number JWR45B was spotted at the Thailand Mobile Expo recently labeled as Android version 4.3, suggesting the update to the OS could be right around the corner. While the validity of the sighting remains unconfirmed, we do get three shots of what could be the next version of Android: the Jelly Bean easter egg (confirming the update won’t be Key Lime Pie), the About Phone screen, and a slightly tweaked camera UI.
It appears that Android 4.3 won’t come with a major design overhaul in tow and rather will be the sort of incremental update that was the move from 4.1 to 4.2. Major platform changes aren’t expected until Android 5.0, which could still be on track for a release this year, though closer to the holiday season.
[via XDA]
Someone leak now
So… It’s still called Jelly Bean? Not too sure about this leak, and since Google’s been hinting us with KLP through pictures and what not… Nonetheless, this should be taken with a grain of salt.
Well the only hints so far has been one made by some designer at google without any knowledge of the subject and a few hints in slides from I/O, which might as well be for the release later this year if not just to keep people interested.
On the other side is the above leak and the server logs from back in april, where 4.3 with the build JWR23B started showing up from google ip-addresses suggesting it will in fact be jellybean:
http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/04/26/google-is-working-on-and-testing-android-4-3-its-still-jelly-bean/
edit: on a sidenote, I really don’t want any major design overhaul. I wan’t to see them unify the design instead, keep fixing the obvious design flaws and then align the entire design with the design google have been pushing in their own apps over the past year. In many aspects the android design is great, they just need to get rid of all the obvious flaws.
That’s exactly what I want as well. They should force developers to follow the the design that Google has set forth (I’m talking to you Facebook!).
Yeah but I don’t want an update where the only meaningful difference that you can see is the new version number on the About Phone screen
That’s never happened.
It’s been rumored that 4.3 will be the last Jelly Bean update before Key Lime Pie which could be anything from 4.5, to 5.0, or just about any other number.
It will be 5, on the nexus 5.
It’s a dev build, so not ready.
Well obviously they never build the release images before the announcement(hench we have seen no such announcement)
Which is why im trading in my S3 for N4
As boring as this release might seem at first glance, it could redefine the minimum specs to play a new flagship game due to the fact that Android 4.3 might have OpenGL ES 3.0 support! I definitely know nothing before the HTC One needs OpenGL ES 3.0 support or that many devices even have low energy Bluetooth support. Most of Google’s new services (like its gaming network) will be updated through Google Play Services, which just makes me ask: Will many devices even need this Android release?
You “defiantly know nothing”?
Definitely not! Nice catch, thank you.
My Nexus 4’s body is ready… after PA incorporates it into their rom.
There were a few mentions of API level 18 at I/O, with the addition of Bluetooth 4.0 LE Support and AVRCP 1.3, so these are nearly a certainty for version 4.3. My guess is that they wanted to push these out quickly rather than wait for Key Lime Pie.
I wonder how long the GNex will get updates for.
My preditictions:
-The Unlocked GNex gets 4.3. This is its last update.
-The Sprint GNex gets 4.3 – eventually. This is its last update.
-The VZW GNex will not be updated to 4.3
Officially, either 4.3 or 5.0. Unofficially, who knows, maybe as far as 5.2, depending on resource requirements.
Well, the G1 has Jellybean ports. I don’t think the modding community thinks there is such a thing as system requirements :P
the good ones do with stability. look no further than cyanogenmod. They do a better job than the oems though with updates and bug fixes, and most are not even paid. Oems could learn a thing or two from the modding community
i think matt is close but the unlocked version in aosp will get up through the 5.x series of android. the sprint version will stop once android hits the 5.x of android and vzw is more then likely done now…..or may get 4.3 in like a year.
May 14 Build.. interesting.
From a sales standpoint it makes sense to release a major version with new hardware in the holiday quarter. So new Nexus 4 or Nexus 5 with KLP in November.
I wonder what’s going to happen with the next iteration of iOS. As android fans, we have seen major releases and design over hauls in just the past two years. I just hope Apple doesn’t overhaul iOS to emulate android in functionality and then have the general consumer base ogle at the “shear brilliance” and “courage” apple had to release something so “revolutionary.” Am I the only one that hopes iOS stays stagnant so people gravitate towards android? I just feel that if apple totally redesigns their OS, people will crawl over each other to have a piece of it even if it is half as good as android and it bugs the $h!t out of me that mainstream consumers can be so bull headed when we’ve had something great all along, yet, you don’t see major tech sites raving android’s superiority to iOS just because it doesn’t have the Apple name. I know, totally off topic and kind of rant-ish, but this article got me thinking about what would happen should apple step into the future.
I don’t hate on apple its a company personally I hope apple comes up with something truly great to keep competition alive not just android vs android because all that will do is encourage more skins and I really hate skins.
I don’t know why, but I have a feeling this is the last update my Note 2 will ever get. That, and it will take Rogers another year to release it.
We get screwed on updates in the states as well. Here, it’s called “Verizon.” They just released 4.1.2, and de-gimped some of the split-screen apps for the note 2 and acted like they did everyone a massive favor. I won’t even comment on what they did to the Galaxy Nexus…
Eldanilopeta
JajjJaj
I’m not sure if I like that new camera UI, yet again it may be better so I don’t change settings by mistake while trying to take a shot with 1 hand.
As long as I get the OTA I don’t care what version number they slap on it or what name they label it with. Now hurry up Google!