Confirming what millions of us has already surmised long ago, Google has officially informed the masses that its latest Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS will be on the shelves in no time – or “soon” in their own words.
While the powers that be failed to mention exactly when and where the next-generation mobile OS would debut, the Google Play Store is now delivering the most concrete message about Jelly Bean so far.
When looking to buy a Samsung Galaxy Nexus, consumers are informed that the device is: “the latest smartphone from Google, soon the first phone with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.” Not only does this serve as a delightful tease as to the imminent arrival of the new OS, but also puts to bed the debate as to whether Google were to go with the Android 5.0 or Android 4.1 handle.
By choosing the latter, is can be assumed in no uncertain terms that the new OS will be something of an adapted and tweaked version of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, rather than a complete and total new build from scratch. This has for most been the more likely course of action by Google for some time, as Android 4.1 Jelly Bean is widely expected to be a tablet-specific build and debut with the Google Nexus Tablet.
As such, the announcement may therefore confirm that the Google Nexus Tab is likewise just around the corner.
Google most likely intends to launch the new Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS at its I/O event next week, as the company currently need to introduce something major in order to steal back a little of the spotlight from Apple. Android 4.1 would indeed serve as an ideal tool for the job, while the launch of the Google Nexus Tablet may give Google a genuine edge over the iPad for the very first time.
However, given the fact that the uptake of and rollout of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich continues to be slow and rather stagnant even to this day, some are calling the introduction of a new OS at this stage in time both bizarre and dangerous for Google. At present, it is estimated that no more than 7% of all Android devices on a global basis are running 4.0 ICS, while a staggering 65% are stunning running with Android 2.3 Gingerbread as the OS.
In fact, Android Gingerbread still features as the out of the box OS for thousands of Android devices still on dale today.
Nevertheless, the consumer reaction to Jelly Bean is likely to be favorable to say the least – as is always the case with such updates. However, if the new OS debuts with an incredible new tablet PC around which it was built, Google stands to well and truly hit the ball right out of the park.
Speak Your Mind