Android 4.3 being tested on Play Store Edition SGS 4
Last night brought us some interesting screen shots of Android 4.3 running on a Google Play Edition (GPE) Galaxy S4. This tells us some interesting things in my opinion. First, it’s more evidence that Android 4.3 is real if you were still suspicious. Second, Google is providing test builds of Android 4.3 to the GPE manufacturers. This can put your minds to ease, if you were concerned about delayed Android updates to GPE devices. With Google doing this, manufactures of GPE devices will have timely access to source code to make their custom kernels or whatever they need to to get those Android updates as fast of they can.
If you haven’t heard about what Android 4.3 might be bringing to the table, it’s a small update. Hence the jump from 4.2.2 to 4.3. We’re hearing that the developer API level may be upgraded to version 18, it will bring support for Bluetooth Smart and possibly OpenGL ES 3.0. Additionally, 4.3 will be bringing a much needed update to the stock camera app which is already available on the GPe devices. The updates to the camera app makes changes to camera settings much easier by placing settings options in clear view while in use unlike the 4.2 camera. This 4.3 camera is not officially available from Google yet, but it’s pretty easily found out there on the world wide web and supposedly will work on any device. You don’t even have to be rooted.
The screenies that have been provided can be found below. We have the standard Jelly Bean Android version image, a screen shot of the new 4.3 camera in use, and the about phone settings screen shot. The build numbers present in the about phone settings image will likely be different than what’s pushed out to the GPE devices when 4.3 is officially released. We originally heard 4.3 would be released along with the White Nexus 4 on June 10th, but that’s obviously come and gone. We’ll be sure to keep you updated when we know more about a release date.
So, what are you thoughts on the screenies? They’re really not too exciting, but it gives me hope that 4.3 is just around the corner. I’m also glad that these GPE devices will likely be getting updates as promised. What are you looking forward to most with 4.3? Or do you feel like it’s such a small update you won’t even feel the difference ??
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