Android 4.3.1 Jelly Bean Update Released For Nexus 7 LTE; AT&T HTC One To Get Android 4.3 Next Week

While users around the world await the highly anticipated Android 4.4 KitKat mobile operating system, Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) has begun rolling out a new firmware update in the form of Android 4.3.1 Jelly Bean to the LTE version of the Nexus 7 tablet.

Google started rolling out the Android 4.3.1 Jelly Bean update to the Nexus 7 LTE on Friday, as noted at XDA Developers. The new firmware version comes with the build number JLS36I and a comparatively diminutive file size of 16.6MB. While it is still unclear exactly what the new build contains in terms of differences from Android 4.3, it could be a minor update with some bug fixes, Android Central pointed out.

Although Redmond Pie reported the first recipients of the Android 4.3.1 Jelly Bean update on their Nexus 7 LTE devices were in French- and Japanese-speaking regions, the update is expected to roll out to other regions as well.

However, it is unclear whether Android 4.3.1 will be released for Nexus devices other than the Nexus 7 LTE as a rollout of Android 4.4 KitKat is expected to take place soon. Announced in September, Android 4.4 KitKat could arrive with the Nexus 5 smartphone this month, according to Gotta Be Mobile.

Meanwhile, Jason Mackenzie, president of the HTC America unit of the HTC Corp. (TPE:2498), confirmed via Twitter Friday that the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update for the AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) version of the HTC One has passed carrier certification and will be released for the device next week:

Over the last few days, HTC has been busy rolling out the Android 4.3 update for various regions and carriers. While the Sprint Corp. (NYSE:S) variant of the HTC One received the new firmware this week, the U.S. developer edition version and the Canadian version of the handset got the update last week.

Users of T-Mobile U.S. Inc.’s (NYSE:TMUS) HTC One are expected to get the Android 4.3 update in the middle of this month, while users of the Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) variant of the smartphone may have to wait for it until the end of the month.