Google announces Android 4.3, OTA rolling out to Galaxy Nexus, Nexus 10 starting today and S4 GE Soon

Google has, at long last, officially announced Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, the latest version of Android that has leaked for two different devices in the past few weeks. As expected, most of the improvements and features that we were already privy to were confirmed by the company, and if you own a Galaxy Nexus , a Nexus 10 the OTA update will start appearing on your device starting today itself! The owners of the Galaxy S4 Google Edition will receive the update “Soon” as Google stated.

Here's a list of Android 4.3 features that Google mentioned at the event:

– Bluetooth Smart (or Bluetooth LE, aka Low Energy)
– OpenGL ES 3.0 support (for much improved graphics)
– Restricted Profiles (an extension of multi-user support on tablets)
– Background Wi-Fi location (uses Wi-Fi for providing location even when Wi-Fi is switched off)
– Dial pad autocomplete
– Google Play Games (for multiplayer gaming, supported in games like Riptide GP2)
– Faster user-switching
– Afrikaans, Amharic, Hindi, Swalihi, Zulu support (also Hebrew, Arabic RTL)
– Easier text input
– DRM APIs

There is also a new camera interface that Google didn't mention, along with reportedly better battery life and performance that users have been experiencing. Also, Android 4.3 will include new versions of Google apps, such as Gmail, Hangouts, and Keep, by default.

Now, while the update will start rolling out from today itself, it will take a few days to reach everyone as it's a gradual process; the Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition will probably take longer, though not too long as Google has promised quick updates for GE devices.

Well, nothing to do but wait, so be sure to keep that Wi-Fi connected and your device on stock Android 4.2.2 if you want to jump to Android 4.3 as soon as it arrives!

Update: Google has posted the firmware images for Android 4.3 on their website, so you can download and update manually instead of waiting for the OTA, though there's no image for the Galaxy S4.

Abhijeet Mishra - Editor-in-Chief

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First Samsung device: SGH-D500

Abhijeet's writing career started with guides for custom firmware for Samsung devices (including the original Galaxy S), and he moved to SamMobile in mid-2013 and worked up the ranks to Editor-in-chief. In addition to phones and mobile devices, his interests include gaming on both PC and console, PC hardware, and spending countless hours on YouTube watching videos on tech, movies, games, politics, and internet dramas.

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