Jelly Bean

Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich..I'm hungry already and that's before we reach the latest iteration, Jelly Bean. For those of you not sure what I'm jabbering on about, I'm not on a sugary high, these are the various versions of Google's Android operating system through the years.

Jelly Bean has just been released and although it looks very nice, has perhaps not brought the most groundbreaking advancements people were hoping for. Here's our round-up of the top 8 features;

1. Chrome - This is now the default browser installed for Jelly Bean. A welcome addition as this delightful browser syncs between your computer and phone perfectly. It is also lighting quick and easy to use. 
2. Offline voice - This allows you to dictate to your phone without the need for an internet connection. 
3. Google Now - Has big potential; Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and you get some 'tiles'. These give you information based on what you search for/is in your calendar/where you are. Say you've got a flight, it'll keep you updated on the status of the flight and traffic to the airport, nudging you when you need to leave. Or if you're waiting on a train, it'll let you know when it's due. Watch this space. 
4. Speed boost - Apparently the system now works at 60 frames per second. I hear that's good, so good that at times Google staff called this 'Project Butter'. 
5. Better notifications - Another step further, notifications give more detail such as the subject line of your email. This can be expanded using a two-finger gesture (presumably not a rude one). 
6. Widgets - The placement of widgets has had an overhaul making it easier to piece together your home screen. 
7. App updates - This is a clever one; instead of downloading the entire app again when updating, your phone will just download the updated code saving you bandwith and making downloads faster. 
8. Improved search - Similar to Siri, your phone will now give you answers to questions (typed or asked) rather than a list of results. Of course, if you still want your long list a simple swipe to the left and your results pop-up. Handy. 

When will you get it then? Well the trio of Google phones/tablets (Nexus S, Nexus 7, Xoom) will get updated around the middle of July. Fingers crossed for more info for the rest of Android devices. I'd expect the S3, One X etc. to not be far behind. And after Jelly Bean? Well we know it's alphabetical, so something beginning with K? Odds on are Key Lime Pie (KLP), but I'd like something a little more adventurous, perhaps Kiwi Mousse Cake? Kit Kat Bonanza?