Google introduces Android version 4.1 Jelly Bean

Google has presented the new Android version 4.1 Jelly Bean at its own I/O conference. The new version of the mobile OS offers performance improvements, custom notifications and a Siri counterpart, among other things.

Android 4.1 gets vsync in all animated parts, fixing the entire OS at 60fps. This applies not only to the interface, but vsync is also available for applications. Google has also added triple buffering for graphics and built in a mechanism that can predict where the user places their finger on the touchscreen, in order to reduce latency. All of these tweaks should make the operating system feel smoother.

Google has adjusted the notifications in the new Android version, so that they provide more information. Notifications can be expanded so that, for example, text and photos become visible. Certain actions can also be performed without having to go to the relevant app, because buttons are displayed next to the notifications. Users can set themselves how they want to see their notifications: notifications are folded in and out by a gesture with two fingers.

The search function has been expanded with a question-and-answer feature that can be controlled by voice. Users can ask questions and the phone will answer. The feature is similar to Apple’s Siri. There were already rumors that Google wants to make a competitor for Siri with a feature called Assistant, but the name Assistant was not mentioned during the presentation. However, voice control in Android 4.1 will be available offline.

In Jelly Bean, Google has added several new languages. It is also possible to add more keyboard layouts, which makes typing with dvorak possible, for example. It also becomes easier to place widgets on a home screen because they are automatically resized. Finally, Google has improved the browser.

Google will roll out Android 4.1 to the Galaxy Nexus and the Motorola Xoom in July and will also make the source code available. However, the corresponding developer SDK is already available. It probably takes longer for hardware manufacturers to update their own devices. However, Google has developed a separate SDK for Android 4.1, which it calls a platform development kit, so that software updates can more quickly make new versions of the OS suitable for their mobile devices. Some manufacturers have had access to this PDK for several weeks, according to Google.