Motorola Xoom tablet (Wi-Fi version) gets Jelly Bean update

The Motorola Xoom tablet (Wi-Fi version) is the latest device to get Google's newest OS flavour, Jelly Bean. The Google-owned company has begun rolling out the newest OS across to the tablet's users in the U.S. The update is being rolled out over-the-air and is 79 MB in size. The upgrade claims to be the smoothest yet, and it offers an improved UI and response  to touch. At the moment, however, there is no word on the release of the OS to users in other countries, as also to those with 3G and 4G versions of the tablet. Also part of the update is Google Now, a popular Jelly Bean feature that offers users information just when they need it.

Jelly Bean update for Wi-Fi version users in the U.S.

The other improvements include: 

• Expandable, actionable notifications so you can take action directly from the alert
• Seamless viewing and sharing of photos with instant view and swipe away to delete
• Smarter keyboard for more accurate typing and more relevant suggestions
• Enhanced text-to-speech capabilities that work even without a data connection
• “Gesture Mode” for blind users to navigate using touch and swipe in combination with speech output; also supports external Braille input and output devices via USB and Bluetooth
• Enhanced search capabilities via voice and with new Knowledge Graph to make finding the right result easier

Late in March this year, there were reports about Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade coming to the Wi-Fi version of the Motorola Xoom tablet. Back then, reports stated that this update might be pushed out by Motorola themselves and not Google, so there would be chances that the update would include a few minor bug fixes that the company have rolled out out for their private testers. The update wasn’t going to be available for all devices and hence, if one was a part of the Motorola Feedback network, there are chances your Xoom devices could be one of the first ones to receive it.

Android 4.1 Jelly Bean is the successor to Google’s Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich that they launched last year. Jelly Bean builds on top of Ice Cream Sandwich, which makes everything smoother, faster and more fluid. Notifications are now more dynamic as well. For instance, if one is late for a meeting or has missed a call, then they can send an e-mail or call directly from notifications, without having to open the app. With Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, Google claims that the keyboard is smarter and more accurate, and can predict the user’s next word. Another interesting feature is that voice typing is faster, working even when one does not have a data connection.