Google seems to be getting ready for the next version of Android after having recently released version 4.2.1 Jelly Bean. According to Engadget, Nexus 4s in Malaysia and Brazil have been spotted running on Android 4.2.2. While there isn't any news or an official statement from Google about the update, we can assume that the update will make it to the rest of the world by the end of the month.
Since the update is a very slight bump in the version number, it's doubtful if Google is making sweeping changes to Android. Most of the new features will likely be bug fixes or under-the-hood performance upgrades.
Android 4.2.2 has been spotted on devices in Malaysia and Brazil (image credit: Engadget)
Google had announced Android 4.2 back in November. The new version was still named Jelly Bean and had some new features. It made its debut with LG's Nexus 4. The camera app of Android 4.2 now features what Google calls Photo Sphere, which enables users to take high resolution, 360-degree photographs on all axes, giving the pictures a look much like Google Street View. You will instantly be able to share the photograph on whatever medium you desire, including Google Maps, if you want to make the picture public.
The new keyboard, making its debut in Android 4.2, supports gesture-typing. This allows you to type out words without having to tap on the screen, and instead, sliding your finger across the keyboard over letters that are part of the word. This is a lot like the Swype keyboard by Nuance that is commonly found pre-installed on Samsung devices.
Another big feature in the new version is the ability to have multiple profiles for tablets. This allows users to share their tablets without the fear of having their privacy compromised due to another person using the same device. Users can have a separate profile with different accounts, settings and apps for different members of the family, for instance. Schools could use the same tablets for different children from different classes.
One more major feature of the latest version of Android is the update to Google Now, a service that Google introduced with the Jelly Bean version (v4.1). Google has added more features to Google Now. The service can now alert you of flight and hotel recommendations as well as about nearby attractions, photo spots, movie times and concert timings. All this comes thanks to the new Knowledge Graph by Google, which, according to Google, gives you more information on things you didn't even know you were looking for. While looking for websites, the new Knowledge Graph could lead you to more in-depth information on subjects that are closely related to your search.
The update also adds the Miracast functionality to the Android platform. It allows users to display the content playing on their screens to a TV, DVD Player, or any other device that supports Miracast. A trade name for Wi-Fi Direct, Miracast is an 802.11n compatible network for display-sharing.
Since the update is a very slight bump in the version number, it's doubtful if Google is making sweeping changes to Android. Most of the new features will likely be bug fixes or under-the-hood performance upgrades.
Android 4.2.2 has been spotted on devices in Malaysia and Brazil (image credit: Engadget)
Google had announced Android 4.2 back in November. The new version was still named Jelly Bean and had some new features. It made its debut with LG's Nexus 4. The camera app of Android 4.2 now features what Google calls Photo Sphere, which enables users to take high resolution, 360-degree photographs on all axes, giving the pictures a look much like Google Street View. You will instantly be able to share the photograph on whatever medium you desire, including Google Maps, if you want to make the picture public.
The new keyboard, making its debut in Android 4.2, supports gesture-typing. This allows you to type out words without having to tap on the screen, and instead, sliding your finger across the keyboard over letters that are part of the word. This is a lot like the Swype keyboard by Nuance that is commonly found pre-installed on Samsung devices.
Another big feature in the new version is the ability to have multiple profiles for tablets. This allows users to share their tablets without the fear of having their privacy compromised due to another person using the same device. Users can have a separate profile with different accounts, settings and apps for different members of the family, for instance. Schools could use the same tablets for different children from different classes.
One more major feature of the latest version of Android is the update to Google Now, a service that Google introduced with the Jelly Bean version (v4.1). Google has added more features to Google Now. The service can now alert you of flight and hotel recommendations as well as about nearby attractions, photo spots, movie times and concert timings. All this comes thanks to the new Knowledge Graph by Google, which, according to Google, gives you more information on things you didn't even know you were looking for. While looking for websites, the new Knowledge Graph could lead you to more in-depth information on subjects that are closely related to your search.
The update also adds the Miracast functionality to the Android platform. It allows users to display the content playing on their screens to a TV, DVD Player, or any other device that supports Miracast. A trade name for Wi-Fi Direct, Miracast is an 802.11n compatible network for display-sharing.
