
Many Android experts, developers and users believe that Android OS reached a maturity after introducing the forth version of Android (ICS or Ice Cream Sandwich) by Google, and this growth and improvements continued when introducing the Jelly Bean versions (4.1 and 4.2 in 2011 and 2012 respectively). In 2013 everyone was waiting to taste Key Lime Pie on their Android phone, but the latest Google I/O conference disappointed everyone and rumors started to spread that we should wait to see Android 5 after Jelly Bean 4.3.
Google finally introduced the next and maybe the last version of Jelly Bean (Android Jelly Bean 4.3) in the 24th of July event with the main person in Android and Chrome, Sundar Pichai. There are no significant changes or improvements in the latest version of Android and it seems Google has kept all its Energy for Android 5.0 and its delicious pie.
In this AW Center article, we are reviewing the most important features in Jelly Bean 4.3:
Android Jelly Bean 4.3 Features
- Multiple Accounts with Restricted Access: Google added multiple accounts support, in Android 4.2 and in this version we are seeing some major improvements. You can now set limits for each account. For example you can create an account for your kid, and limit his access to some applications, games, and even restrict him from playing some levels in a game. Changing accounts and user switching is smoother and faster from the lock screen.
- Default Applications: The default Google applications like Gmail, Maps, Drive, and Chrome have received some updates. Google Keep is pre-installed, and Google Hangout has been replaced with GTalk (Aren't you looking for a way to bring back GTalk?)
- Notifications: Changes in the notifications are very useful. You can now have access to your notifications history (even if they are deleted) and third party apps have access to notifications to get the most out of notifications.
- Graphics: Android now supports OpenGL ES 3.0. It brings a more powerful graphical processing and we should expect to see some 3D Games with improved texturing and shadings.
- Bluetooth: Android now supports Bluetooth Low-Energy or Bluetooth smart, which means less energy consuming. AVRCP 3.1 lets you display song names on a car stereo (If supported).
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi improvement is also about saving some energy. Location detection via Wi-Fi can be done without even turning on the Wi-Fi.
- Sound: Virtual surround sound boosts the quality of sounds in your Android device with Jelly Bean 4.3
- Dial Pad: Dial pad autocomplete suggests contacts and numbers, as soon as you start tapping numbers. It reminds me of Nokia E Series J
- Languages and inputs: Some new languages have been added and supported, like: Africaans, Amharic, Hindi and Swahili. Right to Left text direction is possible in the home screen, settings, and some applications like Keep, Phone and People.
So, what do you think about changes? Let us know what you liked the most and the least. We would go for Restricted accounts and Google Hangouts as our most and least favorites.