Google Play editions receiving Android 4.3 update

[techbeck]

Google promised that Google Play edition phones would be receiving updates much faster than their carrier-partnered variants, and the company wasn't kidding: owners of the Play edition HTC One and Galaxy S4 are now receiving updates to Android 4.3. Verge forum member eallan and Xda-developers poster jsuresh noted that the over-the-air update was rolling out for the One earlier today, while AnandTech has confirmed it for Samsung's latest flagship as well.

 

It's just nine days after the Nexus line received the update, and makes a big statement about what kind of "true" Android experience owners of Play edition phones can expect moving forward. Among the new features introduced in Android 4.3 ? still named Jelly Bean ? are restricted user profiles, software support for Bluetooth Low Energy, and OpenGL ES 3.0 support for superior gaming experiences. Xda-developers forum member Aerys also notes that IR blaster support is included, opening up a new realm of possibilities. Overall, it's a reassuring, quick turnaround that makes the Google Play edition line that much more appealing ? and the Moto X model hasn't even arrived yet.

 

 

Nice.  Will deff be sticking with Nexus or Play editions from now on.  Probably means that the Moto X will be getting fast updates and hopefully the other Motorola phones as well.

 

http://www.theverge.com/2013/8/2/4584200/galaxy-s4-and-htc-one-google-play-editions-receiving-android-4-3

[Jub]

The Play Edition firmware can be installed on their 'normal' counterparts, too, so don't worry which edition you choose. :)

[Growled Member]

I imagine I will only use either the Nexus or Play editions from here on out. Using an AT&T Note II and it'll be forever getting on update.

[AJerman]

I've been running 4.3 all weekend. There's very little noticeable difference on the outside.

[techbeck]

I've been running 4.3 all weekend. There's very little noticeable difference on the outside.

 

I updated my GNEX.  I did notice that if you swipe down from the right top side, it opens the toggles.  Swipe from the top left side, the notifications.  Or maybe that is the ROM I am using.  But I like it.

[LittleNeutrino Veteran]

its nice to see they are keeping the schedules rather close however, i was hoping they would be releasing the ROMs on the same day as the Nexus devices.

[tsupersonic]

I updated my GNEX.  I did notice that if you swipe down from the right top side, it opens the toggles.  Swipe from the top left side, the notifications.  Or maybe that is the ROM I am using.  But I like it.

That was introduced in Android 4.2

 

This is nice to see - I want to make my HTC One a Google Play edition phone. I think I'm going to root it and make this happen soon. 

[techbeck]

That was introduced in Android 4.2

 

This is nice to see - I want to make my HTC One a Google Play edition phone. I think I'm going to root it and make this happen soon. 

 

Really?  I never noticed.

[tsupersonic]

Really?  I never noticed.

Yep - link

[techbeck]

Yep - link

 

But it looks like in the video he was using 2 figures to pull down the toggle menu.  I only use 1 with 4.3 and its dependent on which side of the screen you pull from.  Either way, its a handy feature.

[tsupersonic]

But it looks like in the video he was using 2 figures to pull down the toggle menu.  I only use 1 with 4.3 and its dependent on which side of the screen you pull from.  Either way, its a handy feature.

Ah ok, It must be your ROM, because the Nexus 7 is like that. My Galaxy Nexus is like the video I posted from Android Central.

[techbeck]

I did notice that battery is much better on 4.3

[AJerman]

That was introduced in Android 4.2

 

This is nice to see - I want to make my HTC One a Google Play edition phone. I think I'm going to root it and make this happen soon. 

It seems to me like there isn't that much you have to do to get OTA. Originally before anyone had gotten one we were discussing how converted you'd have to be to make OTA work, but I was using modaco switch and even it offered the OTA to me. I did a full conversion though, S-Off, Super CID, GPe bootloader and all, but I think now that that is probably excessive unless you really want to fully convert.

[tsupersonic]

It seems to me like there isn't that much you have to do to get OTA. Originally before anyone had gotten one we were discussing how converted you'd have to be to make OTA work, but I was using modaco switch and even it offered the OTA to me. I did a full conversion though, S-Off, Super CID, GPe bootloader and all, but I think now that that is probably excessive unless you really want to fully convert.

Modaco looks interesting. Not sure what I want to do at this point - I like Sense, so I don't mind using it, but I also really like the stock Android experience. Choices...I'll probably do a full on GPE switch. Just gotta find the right forum at xda, really haven't done any research on what ROMs are available either (outside of GPE)

[McKay]

My regular S4 running a Google ROM received an OTA update notification, unsurprisingly it didn't work  :rofl: