Moments ago, Verizon approved the Jelly Bean (Android 4.1) update for the Motorola DROID 4. The update introduces Blur build 98.72.18 and will carry almost all of the Jelly Bean goodies that one can handle. It won’t have lock screen widgets or some of the other features added to Android 4.2, but you will finally have access to Google Now, a better keyboard, advanced notifications, and amazing Voice Search.

Motorola and Verizon also updated graphics and smoothed out transitions, made personalizing the home screen easier, and improved voice, data and hotspot connectivity.

We knew the update was on the way as Motorola invited owners of the phone into a soak test of the software last week – we just weren’t sure when the update would happen. While we haven’t heard of the soak test rolling out, this is likely a sign that it’ll start at any moment. Once that goes down successfully, the rest of the DROID 4 owners could see the update within a week or so.

Update:  Verizon has announced that the update will start rolling out in phases on March 19.

The update is 356MB in size. 

According to a Samsung insider, the OEM is currently making plans to upgrade certain devices to the upcoming Android 5.0 operating system. From what was reported, it looks like the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy S4 can expect to see it, as well as the Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy Tab 10.1, and Galaxy Note 8.0. Android 5.0, which is rumored to be named Key Lime Pie, should be unveiled at this year’s Google I/O event in May. 

We finally have our hands on the new Galaxy S4 from Samsung. In this video, Kellex gives us his customary first impressions and software tour of the device. With the S4 running that same TouchWiz UI, but with Android 4.2.2 underneath and a ton of new proprietary software, this phone looks to be a major improvement over last year’s Galaxy S3.

For the full device gallery and software video overview, check below.

Update:  Added hardware tour as well. 

The official DROID RAZR and RAZR MAXX Jelly Bean update is pushing out to devices now. For those who didn’t manually update with our step-by-step instructions, feel free to head into Settings>About phone>System updates to see if you can pull it. A number of readers were able to early this morning, so give it a shot.

The full changelogs for the update can be found here and here.

The update should be 338MB in size if you are coming from Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich). If you are running the accidental build from X-mas, the update will be around 38MB in size. Once updated, you’ll be running Android 4.1.2

Cheers Scott, Daniel, Max, and JoeFro!

The DROID 4 may be the next in line to receive Jelly Bean (Android 4.1) from Motorola, if invites to a soak test for members of the Moto Feedback Network are any indication. A number of readers of ours received invites last night to test out a “early preview of a new software release,” though the words “Jelly Bean” were not necessarily mentioned in the emails. 

Since the departure of Pete Alfonso and updates to his Bugless Beast ROM, folks have been on the search for a new minimal, stock AOSP build that brings smooth operation and vanilla Android feel. We received a few requests to make sure everyone new about a somewhat newcomer to the custom ROM scene called, Shiny. 

Looks like HTC’s One X and the OG RAZR have some company today, as Sprint also announced it will be pushing out Android 4.1.2 to their LG Optimus G owners. The Optimus G (review here) is an important device for a couple main reasons, the biggest being that it most likely helped LG land the deal with Google to create the Nexus 4, which pretty much brought the company back onto the good side of US consumers.

The update will bring everything that we know and love about 4.1 to the device – expandable notifications, Google Now, etc. If you are the owner of this device, go grab it and enjoy that fresh dessert!

Via: Sprint

After Motorola announced that the Jelly Bean update for the DROID RAZR and RAZR MAXX was officially rolling out in phases beginning today, Verizon decided to join the party by releasing their official changelog. In it, you’ll see further confirmation that 98.72.16 is indeed the final build number. They mention that it’s Android 4.1, but we all know that it’s actually 4.1.2.