It has been a long wait for some of the 2013 Sony Xperia devices to get the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update. Sony Mobile has just announced the update for Sony Xperia S, Xperia SL (LT26ii) and the Acro S (LT26w). It made the announcement via Twitter. The Xperia Ion, the AT&T version of Xperia S, is next in the queue.
XperiaBlog shows screenshots of the announced update confirming that an Android 4.1 update with firmware build 6.2.B.0.200 has been rolled out to Xperia S devices in France. Xperia S owners can avail the update via Sony PC Companion software. Sony Brazil is asking Xperia owners – Xperia S, Xperia J e, Xperia P and Xperia E – to expect the update in June. An XDA Developer member has unveiled a pre-rooted ROM for the aforementioned model numbers of Xperia S and Xperia L, but installation is at the user’s risk.
Among the key enhancements, the update will provide a smoother UI, two home screen modes, bi-directional text and additional language support. Multi-Windows facility, similar to that in Galaxy Note 2, will allow multitasking. Page Buddy, Google Now, Direct call, Pop-up play and Smart Stay are some of the additional features. A Smart Rotation feature will adjust the display in accord with the viewing angle. The notifications panel will get additional customization options.
It has been some time since the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean version made its debut, but it has yet to appear on many latest handsets or the so-called flagship devices. Those still running the Android Ice Cream Sandwich version, including Sony’s 2013 line-up, have been waiting patiently for their turn. The roll out will likely arrive region-by-region over a few weeks. Xperia Ion users will have to be on the lookout till a precise date of the update is announced.