Google officially unveiled the newest version of Android, named Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, despite its planned press event being cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy. Alongside the platform update, Google announced the Google Nexus 4 smartphone and the Google Nexus 10 tablet as its latest flagship devices.
Google chose to retain the Jelly Bean moniker despite Android 4.2 introducing several key features and platform enhancements over Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. Android 4.2 will roll out to official Nexus devices alongside the launch of the new hardware on November 13. Here is an overview of the major new features.
Multiple User Accounts
Android 4.2 adds multi-user account support for tablets, enabling multiple family members to share a single tablet while maintaining separate apps, settings, and personal data.
Each user gets a personalized home screen with custom widgets, wallpapers, and app shortcuts. Games maintain separate high scores and saved progress per profile.
Photo Sphere
Building on the Panorama mode introduced in Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, Android 4.2 introduces Photo Sphere, allowing users to capture 360-degree immersive panoramas in all directions (up, down, left, and right).
Photo Sphere images save as JPEG files embedded with XML camera metadata, allowing interactive navigation. You can share Photo Spheres on Google+ or contribute them directly to Google Maps Street View.
Gesture Typing
Android 4.2 introduces native Gesture Typing on the default keyboard. Users can glide a finger across letters to spell words, combining continuous gesture input with predictive text and offline voice typing.
Quick Settings in Notifications
Android 4.2 adds a Quick Settings panel to the notification shade. Users can directly toggle Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Airplane Mode, and screen brightness without opening the main Settings menu.
Updated Google Now Cards
Google Now expands with additional context cards. By connecting with Gmail, Google Now can automatically surface package tracking and flight confirmation details. New cards also cover hotel reservations, restaurant bookings, upcoming events, movie times, stock prices, and weather alerts.
Wireless Display & Miracast Streaming
Android 4.2 integrates native Wireless Display support using the Miracast standard, enabling users to mirror their phone or tablet screen wirelessly to an HDMI-equipped TV via a compatible adapter.
Lock Screen Widgets
Users can place interactive widgets directly on the lock screen for quick access to clock, calendar, email, and media controls without unlocking the device.
Daydream Screensaver & Accessibility Updates
Daydream introduces an interactive screensaver mode that displays photo albums, news feeds, or clocks while the device is charging or docked. Android 4.2 also brings accessibility improvements:
- Pinch-to-zoom support in Gmail.
- Triple-tap gesture to magnify the home screen.
- Two-finger pan and zoom navigation.
- Enhanced speech output for visually impaired users.
Source: Google Android