Android 4.3 Release Date: OS Unveiled At Google Event With Multi-User Restricted Profiles Leading New Features

Android 4.3 Jelly Bean was unveiled Wednesday in the latest worst-kept tech secret. Google launched its operating system update at the “Breakfast with Sundar Pichai” media event Wednesday morning alongside the new Nexus 7 tablet, and also launched its Chromecast HDMI dongle and other software innovations.

Showcased by Vice President of Android Product Management Hugo Barra, Android 4.3 Jelly Bean brings a host of new features to the Google operating system and appears to be a much more extensive update than was expected. Here is a rundown of the latest developments on Android 4.3.

Multi-User Restricted Profiles

One of the main new features on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean is its multi-user restricted profiles, which will allow for more “PC like” account management and easy parental controls. Users can grant or restrict access to in-app purchases and app access all together in different accounts, with users able to see their own personalized tablet environment and their specific apps and widgets.

Bluetooth Smart and Bluetooth 4.0

Android 4.3 Jelly Bean also features Bluetooth Smart and Bluetooth 4.0, which allows users to connect a device with accessories powered through Bluetooth 4.0. There Bluetooth functionalities are expected to work with various wearable technologies as well as with health and fitness trackers.

OpenGL ES 3.0

Devices running Android 4.3 Jelly Bean will have much improved graphics rendering thanks to OpenGL ES 3.0.

DRM APIs and 1080P HD Movies

Android 4.3 Jelly Bean will include new digital rights management restrictions, which means various content providers can now be standard on Android devices. Netflix is the first to opt-in, providing 1080P HD streaming for Android devices. The new Nexus 7 will be the first Android to have Netflix as a standard feature.

Notification Access

Android 4.3 Jelly Bean provides interactive access to notifications through the Android status bar, which can also be displayed in other apps or on other devices connected to Bluetooth.

ETC

Other new and updated features on Android 4.3 include: Easier text input, faster user-switching, Hebrew and Arabic right-to-left text, Bluethooth AVRCP, Background Wi-Fi location, dial pad autocomplete, and updated language support to include Afrikaans, Amharic, Hindi, Swahilu and Zulu.

Release Date

Android 4.3 Jelly Bean will roll out today on Nexus tablet devices such as the original Nexus 7 and the Nexus 10 in addition to being native on the new Nexus 7 which will ship July 30. Nexus and “Nexus Experience” devices such as the Samsung Galaxy Nexus and the Google Play Editions Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One will receive the update “soon.”

What did you think of the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean unveiling? Let us know in the comments below.

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