Over on XDA, a user posted some pictures this morning of a Nexus 4 that was seen at a mobile expo taking place in Thailand. What makes this N4 special is that the device appears to be running a completely new build number, JWR45B. Coupled with the new build is a kernel that was built in May, signs that we could definitely be setting our eyes on Android 4.3.

Only a few pictures were snapped, one of the About section, another of the camera’s semi-new interface (controls to the side rather than in the focus area), concluded by the Jelly Bean Easter Egg found through the About section. Not too much new here in terms of design, so it could be a pretty safe bet that Android 4.3 won’t feature a radical look or UI change.

After some searches on the new build number, it becomes apparent that JWR45B is just one of few numbers that could potentially be Android 4.3. Others include JWR46 and JWR39D.

It should only be a matter time when Google feels it appropriate to drop Android 4.3 on us. The question of course, is when? Will it be June 10?

Via: XDA [2]

Cheers kevlar!

Android 4.3 Possibly Spotted Running on Nexus 4, Build Number JWR45B is a post from: Droid Life

As if the brand new Galaxy S4 and last year’s best selling phone the Galaxy S3 didn’t already look enough alike, Samsung is looking to make the software as similar as possible as well. SamMobile has a leaked version of the Android 4.2.2 build that Samsung is working on bringing to the S3. Not only does it upgrade your device to the latest version of Android, but many of the new features from the S4 will be included as well. 

The list of features that come from the new version of Android and the new TouchWiz is pretty long, but the big features include the new S4 lockscreen, which includes multiple widgets, clock resizing and other nifty features. New S-Voice, settings menu and smart switch widgets have all been added as well. If you are looking for the full list of changes or to install the leak for yourself, hit the source link below for instructions on how to do so.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Via: SamMobile

Android 4.2.2 Firmware Leaked for Galaxy S3, Brings Lots of S4 Features is a post from: Droid Life

Hey, the white Nexus 4 for the third time in a week! Though this time it hits a little closer to home as it was obtained by our buddy Taylor from Android and Me while at Google I/O this week. According to his sources, this white model will be available from Google Play on June 10 and is exactly the same as the black version (same storage, and no LTE) only it comes in…white. 

Along with his new mobile addition, he is reporting that Android 4.3 will launch on June 10 as well. The update is expected to be minor, which may be the reason it wasn’t front and center at I/O this week. As one would expect, the update will hit all Nexus devices shortly after it is released.

Who is ready to pick up the white N4?

Via:  Android and Me

White Nexus 4 Shows Up at Google I/O, Android 4.3 Rumored for June 10 is a post from: Droid Life

There is a ton of good stuff coming out of this year’s Google I/O, so while we take a break from the madness, let’s try to get you caught up on the happenings. Last night, an update was pushed out to Google Play Books, allowing for users to upload their own files such as PDFs and EPUBs. There is also a refreshed design for your library and table of contents pages. 

Secondly, and probably much more importantly, the Google TV platform is getting a major bump to Android 4.2.2, Jelly Bean. This will allow Google TV developers to access the most recent APIs and even the newest NDK for development purposes. In the long run, this will make GTV a much smarter and greater platform for the true lovers of entertainment.

Play Link

Via: +Google TV | LG

Android 4.2.2 “Jelly Bean” Headed to Google TV, Play Books Gets an Update is a post from: Droid Life

This morning, we are expecting a ton of things to be announced at Google’s annual developer’s conference, Google I/O. One of goodies we were hoping to see is of of course, a new version of Android. Search results through the official Android developer site show that Android 4.3 is very much real and that we could definitely be seeing it today.

No changelog or any features are listed, given that search results lead to a different landing. Android 4.3 is real.

Via: Android | The Verge 

Android 4.3 Confirmed Ahead of I/O Via Developer Site is a post from: Droid Life

An Android 4.2.2 build that features Sense 5.1 has leaked for the HTC Butterfly. The entire dump is actually available for download if you’d like to start playing around with it. I know I’m curious to see if devs can do anything with it for the HTC One and DROID DNA (brother phone of the Butterfly), though there are no guarantees that that will happen. 

In this new build, the Android version is blocked, but you can tell from the secondary notification shade with quick toggles that it’s at least 4.2. In HTC’s version of the toggle panel, we’re seeing a quick setting for brightness along with the standard shortcut for Settings. After that, you have WiFi, Bluetooth, Airplane mode, Power Saver, Auto Rotate, Data, Sound profiles, Hotspot,and Screenshot shortcuts. Other than this panel, it’s tough to tell what other things differ from the current Sense 5.0 and Android 4.1.2. Will we get lock screen widgets? With notifications handle better with one-finger swipes? This is one of those situations where the video below isn’t giving us all of the answers, so we’ll have to see what devs can come up with.

If anything, this should at least mean that a 4.2.2 update with new Sense is on the way to the DNA, though we’d be surprised if that landed before 4.2.2 for the One.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Via:  RootzWiki | XDA

Cheers Andrew!

Video: HTC Sense 5.1 and Android 4.2.2 Leak for the Butterfly is a post from: Droid Life

Google I/O 2013 is next week. Hard to believe, right? It seems like only a few weeks ago that we were freaking out as the Nexus 7, Nexus Q and Jelly bean (Android 4.1) were all being unveiled through Google Play as we were entering the day 1 keynote of 2012′s I/O. But here we are, almost a year removed from that event and six months out from Google’s cancelled winter event that was supposed to feature the Nexus 4, Nexus 10, new version of Jelly Bean (Android 4.2), and an updated HSPA+ version of the Nexus 7. So as we approach next week, we thought we should drop some of our own predictions, include a few rumors that are floating about, and even a few whispers that have entered our inbox over the last week or so.

Ready? Here is our list of Google I/O predictions. 

• New Nexus Q:  We’ve talked a lot about the return of the Nexus Q on various DL Shows, because we all love the idea that it could become something phenomenal. As you all know though, the Nexus Q was announced at I/O last year, then essentially killed off weeks later before it ever shipped to anyone. Google realized it had either half-assed the product or that it really was lacking any sort of real functionality that could justify its steep price. So is it going to return? Sources of ours have led us to believe that it is indeed returning, only this time with an emphasis on gaming. Details are scarce, so we aren’t sure if it’ll take the OUYA approach or be something different altogether. There is also a chance that the hardware changes to be more cube-like, however, I hope that it doesn’t. I personally love the hardware of last year’s Nexus Q.
• Gaming Center:  Proof of an Android-powered gaming center surfaced a couple of weeks ago through a teardown of the Google Glass .apk, so we’re pretty sure this is happening. We’re talking in-game chat, lobbies, leaderboards, and achievements across all of your Android devices. At this point, we’d be surprised if this new gaming center doesn’t show up, especially after seeing the Google I/O sessions list which talk about “developments in mobile gaming.” If the Nexus Q information we received is also on point, a gaming center would fit nicely into that type of hardware.
• Android 4.3:  There have been zero signs that Android 5.0 is on the verge of a release. Reports across the tech blog world (including our analytics) show only that an Android 4.3 exists. It’ll likely still be Jelly Bean, just like Android 4.2 was. So what happened to Key Lime Pie? Your guess is as good as anyone’s at this point. I’m sure it’ll be here, but for now, life is with Jelly Bean.
• Babel:  Google Babel is the new unified chat service from the search giant that we have been leading the charge on in terms of coverage. We were the first to report the name “Babel,” provide the feature list for it, give an idea as to which of Google’s services it’ll take the place of, and which platforms it’ll launch on. From what we understand, it’s definitely on the way. While we can’t confirm that it will for sure launch at I/O, how could it not? Google’s developer event is the perfect place to launch a new unified chat service. Keep in mind that another insider is reporting that it may actually launch publicly as Hangouts.
• New Gmail:  According to an insider who has taken a liking to The Verge’s forums, Gmail will get an overhaul and launch at Google I/O. It’ll be “Holofied” with a slideout navigation panel. I’d assume that means it’ll look a lot like Gmail for iOS, which we have been waiting some time for. Actually, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was improved even over the iOS version.
• Wearable Tech (Google Watch, Glass, etc.):  Do we even need to mention that Google Glass is going to be everywhere at I/O this year? It’s a given, right? OK, moving on. We have seen rumors suggesting that a Google smartwatch is in development by the Android team. While I can’t say for sure that we’ll see this at I/O (thinking more holiday season), I’m pretty certain they are indeed working on Google Watch with NFC built in.
• Chrome Dongle:  Chrome OS will most certainly have another major presence at I/O once again this year, but the big question is, “In what form?” How does a Chrome dongle sound? I’m envisioning a product similar to those Android-on-a-stick drives, only this would contain Chrome OS and be plug-able to almost anything. I’d imagine that this would also be an insanely cheap way for Google to push Chrome OS, even more so than their ultra-affordable Chromebooks. Seems wild, I know, but think about it.
• What about new Android devices? (Nexus 4 LTE and Nexus 7):  Haven’t heard a thing about either. The Nexus 4 LTE seems pretty unlikely at this point, but don’t put it past Google to re-work their latest smartphone mid-year. They couldn’t ignore the criticism over their choice to keep out LTE from the original Nexus 4, so anything is possibly.Should they release an LTE model that works on AT&T (like the HTC One), I’ll be the first in line to pick one up. And what about a revamped Nexus 7 for 2013 with a higher resolution display? Rumors suggest that it’ll be here in July and with a Qualcomm processor. That’s about all we know. If I were a betting man, I’d think that we’ll see it at I/O.

Seems like a lot of stuff on Google’s plate for next week. Will we see any of it? All of it? None of it? I can’t wait to find out. I/O is always our favorite event of the year.

Any predictions of your own?

Google I/O 2013 Predictions, Speculation, and Rumors: New Nexus Q, Android 4.3, Chrome Dongle, New Gmail, and More is a post from: Droid Life

Jelly Bean (Android 4.1.2) is finally ready for the AT&T version of the Samsung Galaxy Note. Yes, the original. AT&T announced the update this morning as going live today, May 3, so be on the lookout should you still own this device.

With Android 4.1, you get all sorts of new features over Ice Cream Sandwich. Google Now is probably the most important, but you’ll see better and smarter notifications, along with a “premium package of new features including Popup Note, which allows users to instantly and conveniently write down directions, phone numbers, and other information while on a call. Popup Video and Browser allow users to watch video or browse the web while performing other tasks.”

Instructions for downloading and installing the update over Kies can be found at the links below.

Via:  ATT | Samsung

AT&T Announces Jelly Bean Update for the Original Galaxy Note is a post from: Droid Life

The Android team updated their OS distribution numbers for the beginning of May this afternoon, showing what appears to be a slight jump for Jelly Bean at 28.4%, which is up from the 25% it topped off at in the beginning of April. We’re seeing a decline in Ice Cream Sandwich’s piece of the pie, which is likely due to devices running Android 4.0+ jumping to Android 4.1+ over the last month. We have seen a number of Jelly Bean updates, after all.

Gingerbread dropped to 38.5%, Honeycomb is barely alive at 0.1%, Froyo dipped to 3.6%, and the rest of the numbers didn’t move for Eclair and Donut.

You can see April’s numbers here, if you’d like to compare. Keep in mind that this numbers are now built using data collected from each device when the user visits the Google Play Store

Via:  Android Developers

Android Distribution Numbers Updated for May – Jelly Bean Jumps Slightly to 28.4% of Devices is a post from: Droid Life

Today, you can pick up HP’s newest piece of hardware, the Slate 7, an Android-powered tablet complete with licensed Beats Audio software on board. The tablet is powered by a dual-core ARM Cortex A9 chip clocked at 1.6GHz, 1GB of RAM, features 8GB of internal memory, runs Android 4.1, and sports a not-so-hot 7″ WVA display. What redeems this tablet’s sub-par specs is the price though, set at just $170.

While we would probably recommend you spend the extra $30 and pick up a Nexus 7, this is the beauty of options. 

Specs:

• 7″ WVA 1024 x 600 display
• Android 4.1 “Jelly Bean”
• ARM Cortex-A9 Dual-Core (1.6 GHz)
• 1GB DDR3 RAM
• 8GB internal storage
• 3,500mAh battery
• VGA front-facing camera
• 3MP back-facing camera
• Beats Audio

It might not be an over-powered super slate, but it does have a very reasonable price tag. Thinking about checking one out? You won’t be alone in saying “no.”

Via: HP

HP Slate 7 Tablet Now on Sale – Beats Audio and Nice Design for $169.99 is a post from: Droid Life

From the same man that unlocked some of Motorola’s heavily guarded bootloaders, a new root method for DROID Bionic owners running the new Jelly Bean firmware has been released. Unfortunately for most of you, it is for folks running Ubuntu because due to technical reasons, a Windows version is currently impossible. 

Root is acquired by running a modified version of Motorola’s own Motoshare software and some customized files. If you fit the bill as a Bionic owner on the new firmware and have yourself a running Linux workstation, go follow the via and get your root on.

Via: Droidrzr

Cheers Jim!

Jelly Bean on DROID Bionic Root Method Released, Instructions For Those Running Ubuntu is a post from: Droid Life

We’ve heard from a handful of readers this morning who were able to update their DROID Bionic devices to official Jelly Bean. The update itself was approved by Verizon last week as build 98.72.22, so the timing for a rollout seems about right. One of our readers that received the update was not a part of the soak test either, leading us to believe that the update may be live for everyone.

To get yourself into Google Now, head into Settings>About phone>System updates and see if the update is available. The support documents for the update show it as being about 98MB in size.

If you aren’t able to pull it, a manual install is still available.

Cheers March, Josh and everyone else!

DROID Bionic Jelly Bean Update Rolling Out Now! is a post from: Droid Life

On Friday, Verizon approved the much-anticipated Jelly Bean (Android 4.1.2) update for the Motorola DROID Bionic. As is typical with Motorola updates, an initial rollout of the new firmware was pushed to members of a test group to make sure that no major issues were hanging around. Thanks to that push to testers, we now have the file for anyone willing to take the plunge and manually update ahead of time. 

In order to flash the update file, you’ll have to be running stock 6.7.246, which is the last update the Bionic received. You can have root prior to updating, but will likely need to utilize the OTA Rootkeeper app in order to keep it afterwards. Reports seem to be mixed thus far on whether or not this is working, though.

In order to flash the update, download the file from below, drop it on your SD card, reboot into recovery, and then install from SD Card.

The full changelog for the update can be found here.

Update:  If the download link below is dead, be sure to head to the XDA thread.

Via:  XDA [Download Link]

Cheers Russel and Justtyn!

DROID Bionic Jelly Bean Update Available for Download and Manual Install is a post from: Droid Life

The Jelly Bean (Android 4.1.2) update for the DROID Bionic has been approved by Verizon as build number 98.72.22. The update will include a number of important goodies like an immensely improved voice search, smarter notifications with actionable items, a better keyboard, and of course, Google Now. Your device should also run smoother, feature more intuitive graphics, and react quicker to touch responses thanks to Project Butter. 

Outside of new Android features, Motorola has improved voice and data connectivity (hotspot too) and calendar settings. They also removed bloatware.

A soak test of the update to members of Motorola’s Feedback Network will likely start before the mass rollout happens, so stay patient for now. Once that is complete, we’ll be sure to report back.

Update:  Verizon confirms that the update will start to roll out in phases from April 15.

The update is 98.72MB in size.

More info.

DROID Bionic Jelly Bean Update Approved by Verizon as Build 98.72.22 (Updated) is a post from: Droid Life

Edge-to-edge connoisseurs, the DROID RAZR M has a new update on the horizon. According to emails sent out to members of Motorola’s Feedback Network, an early preview of a “new software release” will arrive shortly. If you were hoping for Android 4.2, I have a feeling you’ll be disappointed – the email says specifically that this is nothing more than a “maintenance release.” Still, who doesn’t love new software? Bug squashing is still fun, isn’t it?

Assuming the test kicks off within the next few days, it shouldn’t be long before the public release.

On a semi-related note, we aren’t sure if this will wipe out the bootloader exploit that Dan Rosenberg found or not. Better decide quickly if you wish to be unlocked.

And because I’m always curious, who is rockin’ a RAZR M? I, personally, still love this little phone.

Cheers J, A, and M!

DROID RAZR M Soak Test on the Way, Just a Maintenance Release is a post from: Droid Life