Google’s Android mobile operating system is currently the most used mobile operating system in the world, both by smartphone users and smartphone manufacturers. Such is its popularity that it has found its way into other devices like tablets and notebook computers as well. Google is well known for keeping its Android platform regularly updated through cutting edge improvisations such as

1. Adding new features,
2. Enhancements in usage,
3. Memory optimization,
4. New user interface elements,
5. Changes in the look and feel,
6. Improved security, and
7. 7.    Better stability.

Android application development has also evolved, keeping pace with the new features and updates that Google implement. Among all versions of Android, Gingerbread (Android 2.3) was widely known as the most popularly used version until recently. Recent studies have shown that Jellybean (Android 4.1) is currently the most popular person of the operating system, and has knocked off Jellybean from the top spot.

The popularity of Gingerbread

For a long time, Gingerbread was the most popular version of the Android Operating system. Building on the strengths of Android 2.2, codenamed Frozen Yoghurt, Gingerbread implemented exciting new features and greatly increase the overall stability and security of the operating system. Also, most smartphone device manufacturers made sure that the upgrade to Gingerbread from earlier versions of Android is made readily available. Gingerbread also gained popularity due to the fact that Google took its time to release the next version of Android. This gave a lot of time to Gingerbread to cement its place as the most widely used version of Android.

Another factor which contributed to the popularity of Gingerbread was that it was the perfect platform for Android app developers to develop applications for at that point of time. With no new version of Android scheduled to be released for quite a while, there was a spurt of Android applications development with its sole focus on the Gingerbread system. This meant that most of the applications that the users regularly used at that point of time and for a long time since where specifically built for the Gingerbread version of Android. Gingerbread still remains extremely popular, with 34% of all Android users still using Gingerbread on a daily basis.

The Advent of Jellybean

Google made a lot of changes to the Android framework with version 4.0, codenamed Ice Cream Sandwich. These changes were received positively and added a lot of new features and functionality to the Android system. Also, most smartphone manufacturers chose this version as the operating system of choice when releasing new models and new ranges of the devices. With a lot of market penetration, Ice Cream Sandwich soon became popular. When Google released Jellybean, version 4.1 of Android, it was a significant beefing up of the already popular Ice Cream Sandwich system, with more new features, better and more intuitive user interface and the concrete implementation of the Google Now assistance system. Manufacturers also readily provided the upgrade and as a result, Jellybean gained popularity very fast and soon became formidable competition for Gingerbread. Android app developers also embraced the Jellybean system, and with no major upgrade in sight for quite a while, there were again a number of new applications released into the Android market which are specifically made for the new improved Jellybean version.

Conclusion

All of these factors contributed towards Jellybean eventually becoming the most popular version of Android. As far as market shares indicate, Jellybean is currently poised at the top of the pile with more than 37% of Android users using the version. Gingerbread is still used by about 34% of the market, followed by Ice Cream Sandwich at around 23%.

This trend bodes well for Google as they are in the process of another radical change. Android 5.0, codenamed Key Lime Pie, is slated to contain a total rework of the Android core, a new Linux kernel, and new features and UI elements. With the immense popularity of Jellybean, Google has a stable platform on which to build its new version. They can also take more time to come out with version 5.0 as the statistics indicate that users are happy with Jellybean and would continue using it through this time without any problems.

In recent times, we have discussed much about the LG Optimus L5 smartphone. We know that this smartphone has been announced back in February 2012 and released in India in June. Now, the the handset has got Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean update in India. The users can get this software update via LG mobile support tool and can also download the link. Till date there is no official change log regarding the software update but it user can get Google Now support, Project Butter improvement, better widgets support, UI changes and performance enhancements on this smartphone. Currently, the update is available for the single SIM version of this phone but there is no confirmation for the updates in dual SIM version. The LG Optimus L5 price in India is currently placed at Rs. 8,511.

This smartphone has a 4 inches display which is having a supporting screen resolution of 480 x 800 pixels. It is supporting with a capacitive touchscreen and a pixel density of 144 ppi that provides a better viewing experience. The multi-touch display will also have 16 million color support to ensure high brightness mode for sunlight legibility. Leaving aside the fact that the smartphone has inbuilt storage capacity of 4GB where 2.5 GB is user accessible. It is coupled with a 512 MB of RAM which enhances device performance and multi-tasking. It has an external memory slot that can be expandable up to 32GB via microSD card support. The device looks slimmer with its 9.6 mm thick body and the company’s exclusive Floating Mass Technology.

The rear camera is 5 megapixels with auto focus and LED flash light technology. The rear camera is supported with a resolution of 2592 x 1944 pixels so you can shoot impressive images even in bad light conditions. It is also capable of video recording with HD resolution. The device will run on an Android v4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich mobile operating system, now getting the Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean update through the LG PC Suite and is about 370 MB. The device will possess a 1 GHz single core processor and backed with a MTK 6575 chipset which brings better browsing experience. It is packed with a A-GPS support for better navigation services. Additionally, the handset comes pre-installed with Google mobile services like Google Search, Maps, Gmail, YouTube and Google Talk.

Along with all mid range features, it also has a Java MIDP emulator support, SNS integration, music player and video player and Organizer. The user can do more as it is powered by a Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery which is capable to deliver a talking time up to 10 hours on 2G and 9 hours and 20 minutes on 3G. It is also capable to deliver a standby time up to 900 hours on 2G and 3G support. It will be available on two color shades like black and white. There is no secondary front facing camera for video calling on this handset. It has connectivity options like HSDPA up to 7.2 Mbps, HSUPA, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth v3.0 with A2DP and microUSB v2.0.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition and HTC One Android 4.3. updates are available as of a couple of days ago. Both the HTC One and the Samsung Galaxy S4 from Google Play are currently receiving OTA (over-the-air) update notifications. Though not every handset owner has received it yet, the details are already rolling out for all to see. For the Samsung Galaxy S4 the update is around 150MB and for HTC One it’s 180 MB. The update arrives only one week after it was officially announced and became available for the Nexus devices. Seeing that many of the Nexus devices are still to receive the update, we can safely say the Google Play editions are on par with the Nexus devices in terms of receiving updates.

Users with handsets will be seeing the OTA update showing up as build JWR66V – the Samsung Galaxy S4 version is the larger one with a size of 180MB, and the HTC One is a bit smaller with around 150MB.

The Android 4.3 update comes with some new features which we have listed for you:

• restricted profiles which enables users to restrict app usage and content consumption
• dialpad autocomplete – adds the autocomplete feature in the dialpad suggesting contact names or phone numbers when users start typing something
• keyboard and input  - now they include an upgraded algorithm for tap-typing recognition that makes text input easier
• new camera UI, new updated Camera app, new arch based menu for easier control and switching camera settings
• Bluetooth Low Energy profile
• virtual surround sound
• OpenGL ES 3.0 support
• larger widget panel icons

Other than the abovementioned features, the Android 4.3 update enables Bluetooth tethering on the Galaxy S4 and the IR port on the HTC One.

As we mentioned, the update is arriving to users OTA, and not all users are seeing it yet – if you’re one of them, be patient and wait for a little while more until it becomes available. With this update the Google Play Editions of Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One joins the list of devices running Android 4.3 that only included Nexus devices until now.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Price, Samsung Galaxy S4 Review, HTC One Price, HTC One Review

Samsung continues with rolling out the new updates very quickly and we are given one more new update today.  The Android 4.2.2 N5100XXCMH1 Jelly Bean 4.2.2 firmware for the 3G variant of the Galaxy Note 8.0 (model number GT-N5100) is currently available for users in Germany. Being that it is a phased rollout, it might take a couple of days before other users get a chance to see it on their Galaxy Note 8.0.

This Android 4.2.2 update brings the following new features:

• lockscreen widgets
• dedicated toggles menu in status bar
• improved task switching
• Daydream screensaver mode
• Other performance enhancements, new widgets, homescreen, and more from the Galaxy S4

Here are the firmware details:

• Model: GT-N5100
• Country: Germany
• Version: Android 4.2.2
• Changelist: 1210063
• Build date: Thu, 01 Aug 2013 12:27:55 +0000
• Product Code: DBT
• PDA: N5100XXCMH1
• CSC: N5100OXACMH1
• MODEM: N5100XXCMF4

You can update your device using the Samsung Kies App or from the OTA update. Since the update is currently available in Germany, other users will have to wait a little more if they wish to install it this way. If you want to update your device with this new Android 4.2.2 N5100XXCMH1 firmware manually, then click on our link below providing you with this new firmware:

Download Official Android 4.2.2 update N5100XXCMH1 for Galaxy Note 8.0 3G (GT-N5100)

Earlier this month, HTC has finally started rolling out Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean with Sense 5. An unexpected over-the-air update to all HTC One X+ devices became available in Taiwan a couple of days ago. At the moment, the update is only available for users in Taiwan and the surrounding region, but we assume that it will also become available in Europe by the end of the month. It should also move to the U.S. once AT&T changes some details in the firmware and gives it the green light.

HTC One X

Let’s remember, the HTC One X+ was released in November, 2012 and has the following features:

• 4.7-inch Super LCD2 display
• 1.7GHz quad-core processor
• 1GB of RAM
• 8-megapixel rear-facing camera
• 2100 mAh battery

The HTC One X+ Android Jelly Bean 4.2.2 update also brings Sense 5 to the handset, effectively turning the device into a low-end version of HTC’s flagship One. The update brings some great new features and the full changelog for the update is as follows:

• HTC Sense 5 and Android 4.2.2 upgrade
• New HTC BlinkFeed Home
• New lock screen style: electronic gadgets
• Added display the battery meter in the status bar options
• New sleep mode switch
• Quick Settings panel: use two-finger gestures with 12 sliding open the Notifications panel fast setting
• AE / AF lock: Long tap the screen shot on the screen to start the exposure / focus lock function
• Video Highlights living micro film: With 12 kinds of styles of music theme, automatically edited into a stunning 30 seconds video
• Music Channel: You can view the lyrics and music visualization screen * (* support content based on actual lyrics database shall prevail)
• Support more Chinese words
• Longer battery life and exact battery percentage left in the status bar

It’s great to see that HTC continually supports older handsets and updates their older devices. If you are in Taiwan and have not already received an update notification on your device, you can try to click on Settings > About > Software Updates > Check now and download it this way. Since we expect a wider rollout of the OTA to appear by the end of the month, we are looking forward to this sizeable 484 MB update in the rest of the world as well.

HTC One X Review, HTC One X Specificaties, HTC One X Accessoires

As many of you may know by now, a leaked Android 4.3 Jelly Bean ROM emerged a couple of days ago as a pre-release build for the ‘Google Play edition’ Galaxy S4 (it is also ported to the European LTE Galaxy S4 GT-I9505 in the form of a custom ROM by SamMobile, the source of the leak).

As the guys from SamMobile claim, Android 4.3 port from the Google Play Edition Galaxy S4 is fully functional on the standard Snapdragon-powered Galaxy S4 (GT-I9505), there is not even a single thing which isn’t working. It only works on the standard GT-I9505 (with Snapdragon CPU) and Google Edition Samsung Galaxy S4. Keep in mind, this is not the U.S. models; only the European LTE Galaxy S4 I9505 model works so far.

The system details of the new Android 4.3 can be found just below:

• Android version: 4.3
• Build ID: JWR66N
• PDA: I9505GUEUBMFP
• CSC: I9505GXARBMFP
• Build Date: 26 June 2013
• Changelist: 968842

The new pre-release of the Android 4.3 looks a lot like the current version of Android. This means that the changes made on this version are mostly under-the-hood. Web ring you a short overview of the changes we noticed:

• Bluetooth Low Energy support is on-board in Android 4.3 (as well as Bluetooth tethering)
• Google’s location service now scans for Wi-Fi networks even when Wi-Fi is turned off and not being used for wireless networking – part of Google’s battery friendly location services
• New debug options for the new non-rectangular clipping feature
• A button that lets you Revoke USB debugging authorization – it deletes the RSA key generated for USB debugging authorization from the phone (before you had to do it from your computer)
• The Subject field is automatically inserted with the date and time of the shot when you take a screenshot and e-mail it
• Reshuffled camera interface

• Enable dial-pad auto complete and change DTMF tone lengths

As always, when we bring you news about pre-release builds, we should warn you about the following: this will void your warranty, you are doing this at your own risk and, unless you are experienced in flashing custom ROMs, do not attempt this by yourself before learning and obtaining some flashing skills. The ROM cannot be installed via Odin, and users will have to load it on their devices manually. Users will also need a custom recovery to have been installed on their devices for this to work.

However, if you want to proceed and try out the new Android 4.3, then these are the steps you should follow:

• Ensure you have any important files backed up for safekeeping because this process will wipe all of your data
• Download the Google Play Edition ROM of Android 4.3 and copy it to your device’s internal SD Card: Download
• Put your device in Recovery mode (hold the Power, Volume Up and Home buttons all together)
• Perform a Wipe Data/Factory Reset.
• Flash The Google Play Edition ROM
• Reboot your phone

Google hasn’t made Android 4.3 public yet, so it’s still considered an unannounced build. Keep in mind that Android 4.3 is still in development phases and does not have all the features which are yet to be implemented, so do not be disappointed if this pre-release does not have everything you had expected, there is still room and time for improvement.