Android 4.2 Jelly Bean has arrived, and with it brings a couple of new features for the user. Let's have a look at them.
Android 4.2: What's new?
Let's have a brief look at all the new features that you will notice in Android 4.2 Jelly Bean.
Photo Sphere
Google already had Panorama shots with it's camera app. Starting with Android 4.2, you can take 360 degree panorama shots (like Microsoft's PhotoSynth app). This will allow you to capture JPEG images just like those in Street View (from where the feature draws inspiration from). You can share the photos (which have embedded XML data) on Google+ and Google+ photo albums with ease.
Multiple User Accounts
A feature we were waiting for, now your entire family can play the same game on the smartphone and keep their individual scores. That is what multiple user accounts is. Everyone in the household can have their own account, logging into which directs them to their personal home screen and widgets as well as apps.
Google Now Updated
Google Now has been updated with many new cards and features.
- Cards for events, hotels, restaurants, flights
- Cards for movie screenings, stocks, concerts, breaking news
- Feed direct data from Gmail
These features will initially be location specific. However, Google is hard at work to make it available everywhere.
Wireless TV integration
Connect a wireless adapter to your HDMI enabled TV, and the TV will start mirroring your smartphone using DLNA. A feature already present in other smartphone OSes, however we are happy it finally made an appearance here. This will allow you to wirelessly stream content such as high definition movies, or just play a high end game on your TV instead of your smartphone (if you fancy 40" to 4").
New Settings Center in Notifications drawer
Google has added a separate settings center in addition to their Notifications drawer. You can now tab various functions like toggle WiFi, Airplane mode, screen brightness etc. from this Settings Center.
Such a feature already existed in Sense UI and TouchWIZ. Making it native to Android only makes it better.
Widgets on your Lock Screen
Just as the title says, you can now assign widgets (other than your Music Player) to your lock screen. Handy feature (similar to Live Apps for Microsoft's WP8).
Gesture Typing
If you know of the uber popular SWYPE app, then you probably know what this is. Google has added a native option to their keyboard similar to SWYPE's implementation. Now all you have to do is SWYPE and the prediction will do the rest. Of course you can choose from words to make sure the correct word gets typed in.
This feature exists in many smartphones, such as Sony's Timescape UI keyboard already.
DayDream
DayDream is another effort by Google to fight WP8's live wallpapers and apps on their lock screens. Suddenly, the lock screen has become a very happening area with each OS trying to push all essentials to it for your ease of access and viewing pleasure.
Think of DayDream as a screen saver. It can be of photos from your photo album, or the latest news fed directly from Google Currents. Indeed, Android 4.2 isn't all work (here's the play).
Other Features
- Pinch-to-zoom in Gmail
- Triple tap to magnify home screen, pan and zoom using two fingers
- Speech output, gesture input for the visually impaired
