Next Android version JB 4.3!?

[s44]

This story got lost in the big phone releases of the last weeks.

Basically Android Police thinks, from Google-originating server logs and the Chromium bug tracker, that Google is *not* going to unveil either 5.0 or KLP this month at I/O, and that it will be another incremental Jelly Bean update.

This fits my gut feeling that JB 4.1 basically perfected Android. Yeah, it could use better GApps, multi-window, and under-the-hood tweaks all around, but the overall setup just works. Google's attempt to mess with stuff in 4.2 mostly actually made things worse.

Still, it's disappointing that there's no huge leap to look forward to. *Probably*.

 

[Red Storm]

Disappointing for the tech lover in me, but good news for the About-To-Buy-A-Non-Nexus part of me.

 

[tommo123]

well, when klp is released, what could they possibly add to warrant a major jump to 5.0? any ideas?

 

[s44]

Multi-window and a desktop mode?

The latter is not only something I want but would fit the story about $200 Atom-powered Android notebooks.

Actually, I hope multi-window is in 4.3.

 

[Bateluer]

Sadly, I don't think Google is under too much pressure to make drastic changes. Jellybean is very refined, polished, and stable. Combine those with stagnant and even slower moving competition, and it means they aren't under as much pressure to release 5.x.

 

[lopri]

I think it's rather to protect newly released Android phones from being perceived outdated, as well as to avoid the criticism that Android is fragmented.

Just a wild guess here, I have no idea what's in KLP.

 

[CrystalBay]

I read, it was to allow Devs to catch up on their app compatibility to work more stable with JB. A lot did change from ICS and some are having a hard time adjusting.


Oops that's point #6 in s44 link.

 

[gmaster456]

Like anyone not running a nexus would get it anyway. It's been 6 months and flagships are still rolling out with 4.1. That being said, the inner tech lover in me is excited to see what it brings. Hopefully nothing to drastic.

 

[Ravynmagi]

I don't care about the version number or name. I am still looking forward to Google IO and whatever new Android update may be coming soon.

I agree with lopri. Just because it's another Jelly Bean doesn't mean it won't be something good. It might be to appease the phone partners who are still shipping phones with Android 4.1 (HTC), so customers don't get too upset their new phone seems so dated.

 

[shabby]

I think it's rather to protect newly released Android phones from being perceived outdated, as well as to avoid the criticism that Android is fragmented.

Sounds about right.

droid1: Which android version is on your phone?
droid2: Jellybean!
droid1: But which version, 4.1 or 4.2 or 4.3?
droid2: What? im on jellybean!
droid1: ...

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

This story got lost in the big phone releases of the last weeks.

Basically Android Police thinks, from Google-originating server logs and the Chromium bug tracker, that Google is *not* going to unveil either 5.0 or KLP this month at I/O, and that it will be another incremental Jelly Bean update.

This fits my gut feeling that JB 4.1 basically perfected Android. Yeah, it could use better GApps, multi-window, and under-the-hood tweaks all around, but the overall setup just works. Google's attempt to mess with stuff in 4.2 mostly actually made things worse.

Still, it's disappointing that there's no huge leap to look forward to. *Probably*.

The thing is are they going to go backwards and revert some of those changes? There's 4.2 bugs on the Nexus 4, but those deserve to be fixed. However their fuxing of the vibration notifications, linking sound volumes, etc. I don't think those will get reverted.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

i think i agree, jelly is pretty slicked up, you cant really say its more sluggish than ios anymore. and its great looking, at least on my razr. itll satisfy peep for a while. plus hardware hasnt gotten drastically better, it would be hard anything huge like desktop, and there havent been any rumors of anything big coming out.

so theyve already dont glasses, we dont expect x phone or klp, samsung is going to do the nexus 11, so that doesnt really leave much except for an obvious minor nexus 7 refresh and maybe updated chromebooks?

 

[pakotlar]

i think i agree, jelly is pretty slicked up, you cant really say its more sluggish than ios anymore. and its great looking, at least on my razr. itll satisfy peep for a while. plus hardware hasnt gotten drastically better, it would be hard anything huge like desktop, and there havent been any rumors of anything big coming out.

so theyve already dont glasses, we dont expect x phone or klp, samsung is going to do the nexus 11, so that doesnt really leave much except for an obvious minor nexus 7 refresh and maybe updated chromebooks?

Input lag is significantly greater than ios however. That is probably the only point of complaint that I have.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Input lag is significantly greater than ios however. That is probably the only point of complaint that I have.

I'd say Jellybean is still a tad behind iOS in terms of speed. It's not a full 60fps experience consistently I can assure you. Maybe on a Nexus 4, but even dual core phones like the GNex slow down significantly...at least more so than a slower iPhone 4S for example.

I think we're getting there, but they really need to just step it up in terms of tablet apps. Multi-window is a "nice to have" but I'd rather them iron out 4.2 issues and UI inconsistencies in apps like Google Voice and stuff.

 

[pakotlar]

I'd say Jellybean is still a tad behind iOS in terms of speed. It's not a full 60fps experience consistently I can assure you. Maybe on a Nexus 4, but even dual core phones like the GNex slow down significantly...at least more so than a slower iPhone 4S for example.

I think we're getting there, but they really need to just step it up in terms of tablet apps. Multi-window is a "nice to have" but I'd rather them iron out 4.2 issues and UI inconsistencies in apps like Google Voice and stuff.

I agree that Google should continue to improve UI performance. My Note 2, CM10.1 @ 1.92ghz CPU/733mhz GPU (max) does reach parity (roughly) with an iPhone 5, except with regard to touch latency.

It may be concerning that it takes hardware nearly 2x as capable to reach a comprable experience. Multitasking performance seems to be worse, although CM10.1 is significantly better in this regard than TW.

 

[ChronoReverse]

TW itself is bloated so it hurts multi-tasking.

I'd say that although Android isn't up to Windows Phone standard (which I feel is even higher than iOS) it's good enough that I'd rather Google spend their resources fixing the other issues in 4.2 as well as either revising or reversing some of the UI changes that really were a backwards step.

 

[Red Storm]

I agree that Google should continue to improve UI performance. My Note 2, CM10.1 @ 1.92ghz CPU/733mhz GPU (max) does reach parity (roughly) with an iPhone 5, except with regard to touch latency.

It may be concerning that it takes hardware nearly 2x as capable to reach a comprable experience. Multitasking performance seems to be worse, although CM10.1 is significantly better in this regard than TW.

Not really comparable though. Would have to rip out all the extra things and flexibility that Android has.