Android Jelly Bean

As of June 27, 2012 Google announced Android Jelly Bean 4.1 which is the next update to its mobile operating system during  Google’s I/O 2012 in San Francisco.

Being the latest release of Android, it has a truckload of new features which helps improve noticeably the overall user experience. Among its improved features are:

1. Project Butter of Android Jelly Bean, which makes scrolling, swiping, and animations smoother and faster

2. Improved, expandable and actionable notifications

3. Updated widgets

4. Improved camera and gallery apps

5. Word prediction added to keyboard feature

6. Added support for external Braille input

7. Transfer of photos and video

8. Offline Voice recognition and typing

9. Enhanced Google Voice search

10. Enhanced  Google Search UI

11. Automatic input of information feeds by Google Now

12. Bi-Directional text and additional language support

13. High-resolution contact photos

14. USB audio output and HDMI multichannel audio output

15. App encryption and Smart App updates

Android Jelly Bean

Additionally, Android Jelly Bean 4.1 added some cool functionality to its user interface especially with regards to  bootscreen animation. The lockscreen already shows a large dotted circle around the center-placed unlock button and the notification center features a redesigned clock and date icons which looks refreshed and sharper.

When it comes to Google Now, Google’s version of Siri, it interprets a lot of things from your search history and from your daily routines. Moreover, it also has Google Voice Search, Offline Voice typing and a new smart keyboard which can predict what you type.

With regards to photos, they are already adjusted to the maximum possible resolution which is 720×720 pixels and they can now be shared, along with other contents with a simple NFC-enabled tap.

In conclusion, Android Jelly Bean was a very good update for Google that I think, it has gained a comfortable lead in terms of functionality compared to its rivaling platforms.