Google has been busy at work, trying to find new ways of enlivening its Jelly Bean version of Android. As we know, Jelly Beans are already delectable, but Google has managed to give it a sweet coat with a few notable additions. Here’s what’s newPhoto Sphere
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Up, down, left, right, everyway. Using Photo Sphere you can take photos in any direction and the clever software will stitch your pics together to form one spherical image. It’s a nod to Google’s “Street View” service, but as TechRadar point out, on a smaller scale.
Photos are saved as JPEGs and can be viewed on computers, shared on Google+ or added to Google maps for the world to see.
Gesture Typing
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The form of input popularised by Swype is now a stock input method used in 4.2. Instead of tapping each individual letter, you simply glide your fingers across letters to form a word. The intelligent dictionary accurately anticipates and identifies the word you’re after.
Users
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Just like computers, tablets running on 4.2 can switch between users, tailoring home screens, widgets, backgrounds, apps and games. Google promises changing between users is a ‘snap’ thanks to its powerful multitasking capabilities.
Wireless Display (WiDi)
This is one of the most underrated features. Intel has produced a technology that allows two devices to share videos wirelessly. It’s called Wireless Display (WiDi) and the new version of Android is now compatible with the standard.
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Sharing your videos to WiDi enabled computers and TVs will be easier and wire-free. For older HDMI-capable devices, a wireless display adaptor will bridge the gap.
Daydream
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Essentially a glorified screensaver, Daydream will display your photo albums, up-to-date news from Google currents and more when your device is idle or docked. It might not be cutting edge, but we’re still glad it’s part of the bundle.
Android Beam
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Android Beam uses the NFC chips in two smartphones to share bookmarks, web URLS, YouTube vids, directions, apps and contacts. The technology has been enhanced to facilitate the transfer of much bigger files, such as photos and videos.
The Existing Flavours of Jelly Bean
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These features are in addition to Jelly Bean’s existing innovations. There’s Google Now, the intuitive assistant which automatically feeds updates on weather, traffic and more; the ability to action notifications from the notification bar and Jally Bean’s zero tolerance for lag.
Availability
Customers picking up a Nexus 4, 7 or 10 handset will be the first to try Jelly Bean 4.2. Existing Nexus users should receive an over the air update shortly after. Other Android users will have to wait for their manufacturers and carriers to release the update.
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