Early version Android 4.1 ROM for Galaxy Nexus comes out

An Android 4.1 ROM intended for Google’s Galaxy Nexus smartphone has appeared online. This is a so-called preview version, but the software seems functional and can already be installed by users on their device.

The ROM was published by hacker website RootzWiki, which states that the preview version was obtained by reverse engineering a Nandroid backup of the software; Nandroid allows users to backup their entire ROM. The software in question was shown during the I/O event, at which Google presented the new version of the mobile operating system. Because this version is not intended for release, it may contain bugs, RootzWiki warns. However, all hardware would be functional.

Users who have root access on their Galaxy Nexus can install the rom file. The first user experiences show that the software is stable, but that the boot animations in the rom are still missing. However, developers on the XDA Developers forum are already working on further optimizing the ROM.

Google announced Android 4.1 Jelly Bean during I/O. The internet giant said that the new Android version should offer better performance because all animations in the operating system are fixed at 60 fps, which should make operation smoother. Notifications have also been improved and voice control can be accessed offline.