HTC outlines priorities for Jelly Bean updates, some phones left out

HTC One X and One S first in line 

 

After initial reports indicated HTC would be rolling out Android 4.1: Jelly Bean in October, there's been little to no movement from HTC in regards to pushing the update to any of its handsets.

Though the HTC One X, One S and One XL were confirmed to be the first to receive the update, none of those smartphones has been upgraded as of yet.
HTC finally broke its silence Monday, revealing in a new frequently asked questions post its plans for the future of the Android update.

2012 phones get priority

As of Monday, only the One X and One S were confirmed by HTC as being eligible for a Jelly Bean bump.
While the company claimed other devices are currently being reviewed for Jelly Bean, HTC has decided to "prioritize review for devices launched in 2012" before moving on to devices from 2011 and earlier.
The good news is that only two phones from the manufacturer's entire lineup have been completely ruled out for the update.
HTC stated devices with 512MB of RAM or less will not get Jelly Bean, which, translated, means anyone with a One V or Desire C will be left behind.
Of course, that doesn't mean further support and updates will be taken away from those phones entirely; just that those devices won't earn the latest Android OS.
The Jelly Bean update also brings with it HTC Sense 4+, but there's no indication from HTC as to whether or not only phones getting Jelly Bean will gain access to the latest version of Sense.

If not now, when?

Unfortunately, there is still no timetable in sight for when the Jelly Bean update will begin rolling out to One X and One S users.
HTC claimed there were "many aspects to the software development process that make it difficult for us to give specifics on upgrade timing."
Citing different testing protocols for each carrier and region as chief factors in the long wait for Jelly Bean, HTC assured that once testing was successful, the update would come.
The same could be said for the developer version of HTC's Jelly Bean update, which the company will announce whenever it is ready.
Not every user will get the update at the same time, but HTC also assured that every user would see Jelly Bean within 45 days of its release in a given region.
Though it's promising to hear HTC is somewhat closer to releasing Android 4.1 to its flagship phones, the lack of a concrete date is still disheartening.
Hopefully users won't have to wait much longer to enjoy all that Jelly Bean has to offer

HTC One X Jelly Bean update starts to rollout

The Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update has begun to roll out to HTC One X handsets in Europe.
According to Android Central the Taiwanese firm has confirmed that owners of the international version of the One X in Europe and Asia will start seeing the update pop up on their devices over the next few days.
A report from September claimed that we'd see the Android 4.1 upgrade arrive on the One X in October, as HTC looks to keep up with its biggest rival the Samsung Galaxy S3, which has recently received the sweetly named software.

Smoother and faster

The update will be available over the air (OTA), meaning you won't need to plug your One X into your computer to download and install Jelly Bean, but due to the size of the file you'll need to hop onto a Wi-Fi network and make sure your battery isn't too low.
Android Jelly Bean is a smaller update than Ice Cream Sandwich, bringing incremental upgrades to the Google platform, the most noticeable of which is Project Butter, which aims to deliver a smoother and faster user experience.
We're waiting for official word from HTC to confirm which regions can expect the update and when, and we'll update this article once we hear back.
Update: An O2 spokesperson has told TechRadar: "The Jelly Bean update for the One X is coming soon. We expect it to arrive in a couple of weeks."
Update: TechRadar has also spoken to Three, who said: "the Jellybean update is imminent and we'll be in touch once we have a confirmed date"
We've contacted the other UK networks to find out their plans on the HTC One X Jelly Bean update, but we're still waiting to hear back from all of them.

Android 4.1 Jelly Bean release date: when will you get it?

Is your device in line for the Jelly Bean upgrade?

Google has announced the latest version of its mobile platform, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, at its annual I/O event in San Francisco, with it appearing alongside the first device to run it, the Google Nexus 7 tablet. However the Nexus 7 won't be the only device which will end up running the sugary named update, with a host of phones and tablets set to receive the upgrade. Google has also announced that it plans to have Jelly Bean running on the Nexus S, Galaxy Nexus and Motorola Xoom in mid-July.
The Motorola Xoom is an unusual choice, as it's already been usurped by the Xoom 2, and in the UK Carphone Warehouse claims that the Nexus 7 will be the only tablet running Android 4.1 for four months. If the Ice Cream Sandwich roll out is anything to go by, then manufacturers are likely to take their sweet time about getting Android 4.1 out to consumers, and some devices may miss out. We've contacted all the major players in the Android market, to find out what their plans are for the Android Jelly Bean upgrade, here's what we've heard so far;
Android Jelly Bean: Samsung
The official Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update for theSamsung Galaxy S3 has begun rolling out to handsets in Eastern Europe. Samsung says Android 4.1 is "gradually being introduced to other markets" - although there's no exact dates for the UK or US at this time. The Korean firm has also confirmed it will be bringing Jelly Bean to the following devices in due course: Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 & Tab 2 10.1, Galaxy Note 10.1, Galaxy SII,Galaxy Note, Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus, Galaxy S Advance, Galaxy SII LTE, Galaxy Music, Galaxy Chat, Galaxy Ace 2, Galaxy Beam, Galaxy Ace Plus, Galaxy Mini II and Galaxy S Duos. The new Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini and Samsung Galaxy Note 2 both ship with Jelly Bean out of the box, and in the UK, once EE gets its 4G network up and running the Samsung Galaxy S3 LTE will also sport Android 4.1 from the off.  
Samsung Galaxy S3 
Three and O2 have started to roll out the Android 4.1 update to Galaxy S3 customers in the UK, with users able to get Jelly Bean over the air or by plugging in the handset to their computer and using the Kies desktop software. The Korean firm told TechRadar: "Samsung UK can confirm that the roll out of Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) has begun for our Galaxy S III customers and will be available across all networks over the coming weeks, pending software testing and approvals." We're still waiting for Orange, T-mobile and Vodafone to release the Jelly Bean update to Galaxy S3 users, with T-Mobile telling us: "T-Mobile is working closely with its device manufacturing partner Samsung to roll-out a Jelly Bean update for as soon as possible. As soon as we have an exact timeline in place we will confirm."
Android Jelly Bean: HTC 
HTC has announced it will be bringing Jelly Bean to at least three of its models, which is good news for those that like newer handsets: "We know HTC fans are excited to get their hands on Google's latest version of Android. At this point in time, we can confirm that we have plans to upgrade our HTC One X, HTC One XL and HTC One S to Jelly Bean," a HTC spokesperson told us. "Please stay tuned for more updates regarding device upgrades, timing and other details about HTC and Jelly Bean." Update: The latest reports suggest the One X will see Android 4.1 pop up in October, although HTC are yet to officially confirm anything. Update:HTC has confirmed its One X and One S devices will be getting Android 4.1 in November and December respectively, and the update will land with an enhanced version of Sense – cunningly named Sense 4+ after its debut on the HTC One X+.  
Android Jelly Bean: Motorola
Motorola has confirmed that it has not released its plans regarding the Jelly Bean update yet. However Google said it was planning on getting Jelly Bean onto the Xoom tablet in July.  
Android Jelly Bean: LG 
Back in February at MWC 2012, we spoke to LG regarding the Jelly Bean update and the manufacturer confirmed it would guarantee an upgrade to Android Jelly Bean for all compatible 2012 handsets. We will have to wait and see if it delivers on that promise. Sources at LG tell us the relevant phones in the range will be updated to Jelly Bean by Q1 2013, with the roll out beginning in Q4. Update:LG has now confirmed it will start rolling out the Android 4.1 to the Optimus LTE 2 in November, and then to the Optimus G in December. It's also said that the LG Optimus Vu and Vu 2 will get Jelly Bean in the first quater of 2013, but still no word on the Optimus 4X HD or the Optimus L7.  
Android Jelly Bean: Asus 
During MWC 2012, Benson Lin, Asus' Corporate Vice President told TechRadar: "Asus is very close to Google, so once they have Android 4.1 I think there will be a high possibility that we will be the first wave to offer the Jelly Bean update." The Transformer Pad 300 has now been given the Jelly Bean treatment - so make sure you hit software update check if you're still on Ice Cream Sandwich. Update: A post on the Asus Facebook page has confirmed that it will be bringing the Android 4.1 update to the Transformer Pad Infinity and Transformer Prime "soon". TechRadar spoke to Asus, and a spokesperson said "the Jelly Bean rollout to the Infinity and Prime will happen in days rather than weeks." Some lucky soles in Sweden have already started to get Android 4.1 on their Transformer Prime tablets.  
Android Jelly Bean: Sony 
Sony has confirmed that a host of Sony Ericsson Xperia handsets from 2011 will not be getting an update to Android 4.1, which means the likes of the Sony Xperia Arc Sand the Xperia Mini Pro will miss out. As far as Sony's plans for Jelly Bean go Sony Mobile's UK product manager, John Cooper said: "We currently don't have anything to announce regarding Jelly Bean for the Xperia S." Update: However fear not, as Sony has now retracted this comment, posting the following response on the official Sony Xperia blog. "A quick note – during a Q&A session last week on our Sony Mobile GB Facebook page, a local spokesperson gave information out in error on our Android 4.1 Jelly Bean software development and rollout for 2011 Xperia smartphones. "We are actively investigating Android OS upgrades for all devices, but in the meantime, our Ice Cream Sandwich rollout for Xperia S and 2011 Xperia smartphones continues as planned."  
Android Jelly Bean: Acer 
According to Dutch site Tablet Guide, Acer will be updating some of its Android tablets to Android 4.1, although it was unable to say which models would be lucky enough to get it and when it would start rolling it out.  
Android Jelly Bean: Toshiba 
Toshiba has confirmed that it will be providing Android Jelly Bean to its AT200 and AT300 tablets, although no time frame was given for the roll out. We spoken to Toshiba, who said it was unable to comment on the Jelly Bean update at this time.  
Android Jelly Bean: ZTE
A ZTE spokesperson has told TechRadar: "Although Google has released information about Jelly Bean, Google is yet to publish the source code release date. "Therefore it is currently impossible to estimate a date for the ZTE Jelly Bean upgrade at this point in time. Based on historical forecasts, Google requires 1-2 months to complete the source code release before manufacturers can begin to develop Jelly Bean based versions of devices." Not wanting to be left behind, ZTE has launched the first Android Jelly Bean handset in China, and third in the world, in the form of the ZTE N880E. It's unlikely to make it to other territories, but it shows manufacturers can get Jelly Bean out the door quickly.  
Android Jelly Bean: Intel 
Intel has confirmed that it is working with Google on a Jelly Bean port for its Atom processors, which will allow the latest version of Android to run on handsets and tablets with Intel inside, such as the Orange San Diego. There's currently no sign of a release date, so we're going to have to wait for more information on the progress of this project.

Samsung unveils 4-inch Galaxy S3 Mini

Samsung unveils new Galaxy S3 Mini with 4-inch screen

Samsung has today announced a new "Mini" version of its popular Galaxy S3 flagship smartphone, featuring a smaller screen and less powerful processor. 

At a launch event today in Germany, the South Korean firm unveiled the Galaxy S3 Mini, built with a WVGA Super AMOLED screen (800×480 resolution) measuring 4-inches on the diagonal, compared with the 4.8-inch display in its bigger brother.

  

However, the Mini features exactly the same screen size as Apple's new iPhone 5 handset, which has sold millions of units since its launch last month.
Samsung's latest smartphone comes with Android Jelly Bean out of the box, bringing various improvements to the operating system including faster browsing and the Google Now feature in Google Search.
The Mini offers many of the Samsung-developed features of the Galaxy S3, including the S Voice voice controlled assistant, and the Smart Stay system that tracks the user's eye and keeps the screen lit as long as they are looking at it.
As the phone is fitted with Near Field Communications, users can access S Beam for sharing 10MB of data in just two seconds by tapping another S-Beam enabled devices, such as the Galaxy S3 or Galaxy Note 2.

 

Under the hood, the Galaxy S3 Mini has a Dual Core 1GHz processor, rather than the quad-core EXYNOS chip in the Galaxy S3.
The handset also has 1GB of RAM, a 5-megapixel camera on the rear, and a VGA front-facing camera for video chat.
Samsung has not yet announced pricing for the handset but it is thought likely that this will be a mid-range option compared to the Galaxy S3.
The firm is presumably aiming the new phone at people who like the S3 but have been put off by the larger screen, or high price. 

 

Simon Stanford, the vice president of telecommunications & networks division at Samsung UK and Ireland, said: "The award winning Galaxy S3 has been extremely well received globally since it launched earlier this year so we are thrilled to be able to offer our customers the same revolutionary design, intuitive usability and intelligence in a mini version.
"We will continue to develop smartphones to cater for a variety of customer needs and this latest release demonstrates our ongoing commitment to offering our customers more choice at every price point."
Alongside price, Samsung has also not yet announced availability for the Galaxy S3 Mini, although it is expected that the phone will launch before the end of the year.