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5 Thoughts on the Verizon Galaxy Nexus Android 4.1 Jelly Bean Update

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The wait for the Verizon Galaxy Nexus Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update has begun and to be honest, I have mixed emotions about the whole thing.

When Google first announced Jelly Bean at Google I/O in June, I was elated. As many of you know, I love Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. It’s a great operating system and I’m glad that Android 4.1 Jelly Bean is going to enhance rather than replace.

However, once the event ended, all of those good thoughts were washed away by a sense of dread. After all, I own the Nexus device that didn’t get an update until five months after it launched.

So here we are in the middle of July and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean has begun to roll out. It’s now available on two devices, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus HSPA+ that Google sells through its Google Play Store and the Nexus 7 tablet.

Read: Jelly Bean Makes Galaxy Nexus Faster, Smoother & Smarter.

That will soon change though as the Nexus S, Motorola Xoom and all versions of the Galaxy Nexus are first in line to get the Android 4.1 update.

Yet, with all that has gone on in the past with the Verizon Galaxy Nexus, it’s hard to get too excited.

Here are the five big thoughts that have swirled around inside my head and maybe some of you with the Verizon Galaxy Nexus can relate.

There Likely Won’t Be Redemption

Originally, I had hoped that Google and Verizon would make it up to owners of the Verizon Galaxy Nexus who endured five months of silence while dealing with a host of issues. I thought that maybe, just maybe, the Verizon Galaxy Nexus would be the first Nexus device, maybe even the first device to get the update.

Unfortunately, it looks like the Nexus S, the second-generation Nexus smartphone, will likely beat the Galaxy Nexus to the punch.

Read: Verizon Can Make it Up To Galaxy Nexus Owners With Jelly Bean.

That would make sense to me if newer phones often weren’t the first to get major Android updates. In particular, the Droid RAZR and Droid RAZR MAXX beat the Droid Bionic and HTC Rezound to Ice Cream Sandwich by a mile.

Sadly, the world of Android updates is a world void of sense and reason and I was a fool to think that the Verizon Galaxy Nexus would be treated as the top of the line Nexus smartphone that it is.

Don’t Expect to Hear Anything

While Google may have said that “all Galaxy Nexus” devices were going to be among the first to get the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update, that doesn’t mean squat to me. The company I want to hear from is Verizon.

History says that the carrier won’t say anything up until the last hour before the update’s roll out and even then, there will likely be some sort of confusion passed on by an uninformed representative on Twitter.

At this point, I’m resigned to the silence.

This May Take Forever

Again, I had high hopes about a swift update. Sadly, that doesn’t look like it’s going to be the case at all. Vodafone Australia says that Google hasn’t even submitted the update for carrier testing which means that Verizon likely hasn’t seen the update yet which means we’ll probably be waiting until Android 5.0 rolls out before we see the update.

Read: Verizon Galaxy Nexus Could Be Last Nexus Device to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.

In all seriousness, I expect the Verizon Galaxy Nexus to be last to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. Not because I practice pessimism but because I am a firm believer in Verizon’s ability to fail its most important customers.

An unfamiliar sight.

Hope They Aren’t Any Bugs

And man, I sure hope there aren’t any bugs on board when the update finally does arrive. The last bug fix update took five months to arrive and I shiver at the thought of waiting another five months for a fix for any issues that arrive on board with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.

Catch-22

Which of course leads me to the Catch-22 that plagues the Verizon Galaxy Nexus. While we all want the Galaxy Nexus to be first to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and redemption for the past, we also want it to be bug free which means Verizon is going to have to take its time in testing, making sure it’s ready for roll out.

Just look at what happened when the carrier rushed out the Droid RAZR and Droid RAZR MAXX Ice Cream Sandwich updates. They were full of bugs. And still are.

The Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update for the Verizon Galaxy Nexus should be a joyous occasion for Galaxy Nexus owners like myself. Personally, I am excited about what Jelly Bean brings to the table, especially Google Now.

What Jelly Bean shouldn’t do though is make our heads hurt.

But as long as Verizon is at the helm of the Nexus ship, that’s the way it’s going to be.

29 Comments

29 Comments

  1. Gilbert

    07/19/2012 at 5:21 pm

    Fuck the need to test it out to see if it’s ready. It was ready when Google released it. That’s why we purchased these phones from the big carriers, in hope that they would actually treat it the way it was supposed to be, Updated QUICKLY WITH NO HASSLE. I’m already thinking of selling my Sprint Gnex on craiglist to buy out my contract and just purchase the GSM version and get a white one with JB. Why do I still have to root and flash to the latest OS if I have the purest Google phone out????

    • Geeks On Hugs

      07/21/2012 at 6:07 am

      It’s really dishonest for the carrier’s to sell these as nexus devices. Google shouldn’t allow nexus branding unless they have full discretion and a direct line on distributing updates. Otherwise, what’s the point?

      If you can you definitely should get out from under the carrier’s thumb. For those who are months out put aside a bit every month and purchase your own device. It will pay for itself in a few months of service AT MARKET RATES, rather than the SLAVE RATES the carriers are charging you.

      The subsidized phones ARE NO DEAL. They have been ripping us off and then have the gall to treat us poorly as we enrich them. No more! Take the power away from them! Buy your own phone – it’s cheaper in the not so long term anyway, plus you are free and, especially for a pure nexus device, you will have a straight line to Google who has a track record of doing right by their google play device customers (I bought my g-nex and nex-7 from Google Play Devices and they have been great.)

  2. Tony

    07/19/2012 at 6:04 pm

    Author said, “However, once the event ended, all of those good thoughts were washed away by a sense of dread. After all, I own the Nexus device that didn’t get an update until five months after it launched”. Glad you only waited five months for ICS, most people are still waiting for ICS, let alone JB. I will admit that is one thing Apple iOS has over Android, regular updates that go out to everyone regardless of carrier.

    • goukisan

      07/19/2012 at 6:37 pm

      You mean the once a year updates??? And even then its used to sell the new version of their iphone?? Remember Siri?? No reason it could not be on the iphon4…they needed something to sell their slight upgrade …the 4S

      • Gilbert

        07/19/2012 at 8:07 pm

        I’m pretty sure the people with the original iPhone4 went nuts when they found out that they had to buy an almost identical

      • Gilbert

        07/19/2012 at 8:10 pm

        I’m pretty sure the people with the original iPhone4 went nuts when they found out that they had to buy an almost identical phone for a SOFTWARE update. hahaha

    • Geeks On Hugs

      07/21/2012 at 6:12 am

      If anything being a slave to Apple’s psychopathic corporate culture of power and paranoia is worse than being a slave to the aloof carriers. But you don’t need either anymore. (Of course you need a carrier, but when you have your own phone and no contract you would be amazed how many choices you actually have that are fully 50% less expensive per month for the same service…and potentially even more as plans abound where you can never go over any limits and have a nasty surprise in your bill as everything is unlimited.)

    • Mary

      07/25/2012 at 8:24 am

      The GNex was released with ICS on board. The update to fix the bugs that came with the on boarded ICS took five months. The point of buying the Galaxy Nexus was that it was, I believe, the first phone to come with ICS already installed on it and that it wouldn’t be waiting forever for updates. But those, obviously, were just dreams since the JB update is looming far, far away in the future.

  3. Bigmouth

    07/20/2012 at 10:02 am

    If it bothers you, stop whining, root, and ROM. That’s the beauty of Android. You aren’t beholden to Google or your carrier for an update.

    • Geeks On Hugs

      07/21/2012 at 6:16 am

      “stop whining, root, and ROM” LOL, you should trademark that :P

      What you say is true, but remember lots of people aren’t technical and don’t wish to be, so this is only a solution for some. I’m very technical and I still prefer not to go through that myself. But it’s definitely a valid option for those who find themselves stuck and unable to afford getting out right away.

  4. Gilbert

    07/20/2012 at 10:05 am

    Shut your big mouth up! Haha

  5. Charles

    07/20/2012 at 8:48 pm

    You forgot about the OTHER concern: That Verizon will decide to disable/remove things like Google Now because they’re launching a competing service in the future (remember Google Wallet?)

    • Gilbert

      07/20/2012 at 9:08 pm

      Oh yeah, I thought that was pretty messed up and why mess with something that is already perfect and try to duplicate it with your own software? Just like GS3 “S-voice”, Googles worked circles around it. Oh yeah, Bigmouth, I am a constant rom’er and the only thing I don’t like is when I want to change roms, I have to save all my messaging, make sure to save numbers and oh yeah, go through allll my text messages and make sure to save info,pics and also text numbers. It’s just too much work. Good article Adam, it caught MY attention!

  6. GN VZW

    07/21/2012 at 5:45 am

    How as bout just being happy with what you have. It shouldn’t make your “head hurt” waiting for your phone to update. Go enjoy life.

    • Geeks On Hugs

      07/21/2012 at 6:23 am

      This is obviously for mobile enthusiasts who understand that we are in the midst of a technosocioeconomic (I just coined that! :-) ) revolution and want to be on the edge. That’s why they own a Nexus device. You’d have a point if this were concerning a firmware update for a jitterbug device.

  7. Gilbert

    07/21/2012 at 5:50 am

    I will and life will go on but I am picky about shit when my hard earned money is involved! ANDROID FOR LIFE! Suck my dick BIAtches.

  8. Geeks On Hugs

    07/21/2012 at 5:59 am

    I have a Google Play Galaxy Nexus and have been on Jelly Bean for a while now and I must say, as good as ICS is, JB is all the better. With JB Android has truly come of age. So with that said I feel your pain.

    I’m also an owner of a Verizon branded Xoom tablet and it was ridiculous how long the wait was to get on ICS. Now I’ll be in a similar situation waiting for it’s update. It’s especially painful as my g-nex and new nexus 7 are both on JB which is so good, it’s hard to go back. This means my Xoom will likely not get much use for a while which is unfortunate because I have my pick of form factors best suited for my immediate needs.

    Still let’s not forget all those out there who STILL haven’t been upgraded to ICS! Anything before Honeycomb at this point feels downright primitive. Something needs to be done about these beurocratic greedy carriers who have left their trapped customers flailing in the wind! :-(

    As for me I paid cash for my unlocked no-commitment g-nex and I am free to come and go as I please. I pay $45 a month for unlimited EVERYTHING. This is how it should be. Dis-empower the carrier’s by freeing yourself of their contracts by buying only unlocked devices with no contracts. We have the power!

  9. theonlychoman

    07/21/2012 at 9:23 am

    Solution for Verizon owners is to root the phone and flash the ROM yourself. I did, and have been running 4.1 for almost 2-weeks.

  10. Gilbert

    07/21/2012 at 11:15 am

    I’ve also been running JB 4.1.1 but that’s not the point here bro. A little reading makes you fool proof on the topic. So read a little before commenting. :). But thanks for your input.

  11. Mco

    07/21/2012 at 1:45 pm

    Guys, please unlock, root, and flash a new ROM. I did this for the first time to get Jelly Bean almost s month ago..it literally took 25 minutes. I’ve been loving Android 4.1 ever since. Use Wug’s Nexus Rooting Toolkit. It will the whike thing so simple that you won’t believe it. Just point and click.

    Trust me, spending 20 minutes to perform a simple, relatively risk-free procedure, is a better alternative than waiting six months for an update. If you do, the rest of us will have moved on to the next version of Android by the time you get 4.1.

    • Gilbert

      07/22/2012 at 3:33 pm

      Apparently this guy did not read the comments.

      • Mco

        07/22/2012 at 6:17 pm

        Yes, I did. But thanks for putting me in my place, man. You really showed me.

        I will never understand why so many people feel the need to show up and rattle their sabres like they are the Internet Comment Police. I supposr it’s the only venue for a lot of them to actually act tough. My advice: if you don’t like a comment, just ignore it..instead of acting like a high-schooler by ripping on someone else’s attempt to be helpful.

        • Gilbert

          07/22/2012 at 9:57 pm

          Well, since you did read the comments, you WOULD HAD SEEN that your comment was out of place and irrelevant TO ME, just saying my fellow hacker, FUCK. But yeah, rom’ing is VERY EASY and no one should be scared to try it. It’s actually fun and quite entertaining. I actually encourage every person with any phone that I know to hack the shit out of it and really make it YOUR PHONE. Anyway, carriers are misleading true android followers when selling a Gnex, that’s it.

          • MCO

            07/23/2012 at 12:54 am

            Respectfully, I couldn’t care less if it matters to you. Again, if you don’t like the comment, act like an adult and ignore it. Heck, most of us Internet surfers do that all the time. You don’t need to show up to stir the pot for no reason at all.

            The point is that, while it may not help YOU, it may help someone else that is on the fence about rooting. It was a comment meant to help others…be mature enough to understand that what doesn’t help you may be very positive for someone else. No need for you to needlessly rock the boat..except for you to stroke your own feelings of self-importance. My friend, the Internet can be an unnecessarily unpleasant place..ask whether you want to be part of the problem.

            In the meantime, waiting for Verizon to push this update will be a long, frustrating, and totally unneeded choice. I did that myself for the 4.04 update. And why? Because I didn’t want to take 20 minutes to make the update happen myself. If I can help one person avoid all of that irritation, well, it is worth me dealing with you going out of your way to be up in my crap for no reason. No worries on my end.

        • jam2ison

          07/23/2012 at 12:25 am

          Dude I laughed my ass off so hard after I read your come back! Good one! I swear I’m gunna use the “internet comment police” joke!

  12. julesy

    07/21/2012 at 5:10 pm

    Can you choose not to update to jelly bean?

    • Gilbert

      07/22/2012 at 9:59 pm

      Yes, but that’s like telling someone to fuck off when trying to offer you something better for free. I would love an upgraded version of my old 1989 M-benz for free. It’s faster, smoother and better on gas.

  13. randygrenier

    07/24/2012 at 5:51 pm

    Holy fuck! The fucking language here is fucking disgusting! Watch your fucking mouths.

  14. Edward Cating

    10/03/2012 at 4:43 pm

    I wish that Verizon had taken looonger to release 4.1.1 – and had used the extra time to test, say, Bluetooth voice dialing. See, hands free voice dialing worked pretty well in ICS. Now, it doesn’t work at all!!! I’ve tested with Jawbone, Blue Parrot, and Plantronix Voyager – all high end Bluetooth headsets. Voice dialing is completely hosed when invoked from the headset by one touch. Works fine if you invoke it from Google Now, but for truckers, that’s illegal. So I cannot call anyone unless I am parked! I wish I was still waiting on Jelly Bean! Then I wouldn’t be saddled with a BROKEN PHONE!!!!

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