How often have we read articles about the US Carriers dragging their feet when it comes to Android updates in Android news? Far, far too many times and I join everyone else in wishing it to stop, not just because waiting so long for something isn’t a lot of fun but, because there’s no need for it to happen, not really. Android 4.1, or Jelly Bean, has been around for a pretty long time now and while it always takes a while for manufacturers that skin Android, and for carriers to “test” new software, AT&T sure have taken their time with this one. When the carrier announced the launch of the One X+, with Jelly Bean at launch, it was pretty much guaranteed that the original One X was going to have to wait a little longer to get its update. After all, why would AT&T bring an update to a device so similar to their new favorite handset?
So, it’s March 7th and over on the “AT&T Consumer Blog” there’s been an announcement that the update to Android 4.1 should be rolling out soon. Curiously enough, the post looks as if it’s been taken down so, there might be some sort of issue with the update or AT&T might be delaying. Nevertheless, here are some highlights from the update:
- Google Now, which provides you with the latest relevant information you need, when you need it. Whether you’re checking the weather, checking flight information, tracking a package or more, you can get the information that matters most immediately in a single swipe.
- Changes to the notification display that groups updates from the same application together and allows you to expand or collapse any notification.
- The ability to view the full text of an SMS message and the full photo of a MMS in the notification window.
- An event notifications display that offers more of the event description, allowing you to quickly see relevant details without having to open an app.
- New countdown timer for the front-facing camera.
There’s no word yet whether or not this update comes with additions that update the One X to Sense 5 or anything like that but, I’d very much doubt it this soon. Is HTC or AT&T to blame for such a long wait? Well, it’s an interesting question as AT&T managed to roll out Android 4.1 to the Galaxy S III in the middle of January and the Jelly Bean update to the One X has been floating around since last fall in parts of Europe. So, all signs seem to point to AT&T.
Regardless, it’s good to see this device finally get an update to a relatively current version of Android, the device should have been updated a long time ago and whether AT&T is at fault for this doesn’t really matter, HTC have a track record of releasing updates later and later. That’s something they need to really sort out, because if they keep holding devices back like this, 2013 isn’t going to be a great year for them.