Android
HTC One Skipping Android 4.2 for Android 4.3 in U.S.
It appears that the HTC One might skip Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean in the United States and head right to Android 4.3, this according to an HTC representative who claims that the HTC One Android 4.3 update and the Droid DNA Android 4.3 update could both hit the United States by the end of September.
This week, the Verizon HTC One arrives with Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean on board, an upgrade over the software found on the HTC One variants on AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile. However, it appears that the Verizon HTC One may not hold an advantage for long as it appears as though HTC will skip Android 4.2 for Android 4.3 in the United States with a roll out said to be coming by the end of September.
Read: HTC One vs. One Max vs. One Mini Photo: Sized Up.
The HTC One will skip Android 4.2 in the U.S.
According to Jason Mackenzie, HTC’s U.S. based President, the company is looking to roll out Android 4.3 for the HTC One, across SKUs, before the end of September. The software apparently needs certification before it can be released but that at the moment is the company’s timeline. Mackenzie also suggests that the Droid DNA should get Android 4.3 by the end of September as well. The Droid DNA is Verizon’s version of the HTC Butterfly.
Lots of questions re 4.3 release for One. We r wrking hard (needs cert) to release 4.3 across all US, Canada skus by end Sept. DNA as well.
— Jason Mackenzie (@JasonMacHTC) August 19, 2013
Earlier, Mackenzie suggested that the HTC One in the U.S. would be skipping Android 4.2.2, an update that he referred to as minor and this timing for Android 4.3 seems to confirm his earlier sentiments.
It appears that HTC will adopt an approach similar to Samsung in which it will be skipping Android 4.2 for some of its flagship devices. Samsung has not announced anything yet but it’s clear that both the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and Galaxy S3 Android 4.2 updates will be skipped in favor of Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, software that Google announced in July.
@jmwein we definitely care and want you to have great experience. 2.2 is minor update so decided to go straight to 4.3.
— Jason Mackenzie (@JasonMacHTC) August 17, 2013
Android 4.3 represents a relatively minor update over Android 4.2 but it still brings a few likable things to the table including support for OpenGL 3.0 and Bluetooth Low Energy.
AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon have not announced any time lines for the HTC One Android 4.3 update so at this point, despite Mackenzie’s information, HTC One owners will want to temper their expectations in regards to the timing. However, it looks like HTC will indeed skip Android 4.2 for Android 4.3 in the U.S.
Verizon’s HTC One will still arrive with Android 4.2 later on this week, despite HTC’s plans.
john
08/25/2013 at 1:48 am
Don’t know what the real news is, before some days I’ve heard of a rumour that Google is going to launch android 4.3 jelly bean with its Nexus 7 device, rest of the brand may have to wait for 6 more months to get 4.3 jelly bean in it. Lets see if HTC One have made it. Thanks for the great post adam.