The other night, I decided that I’d rather not wait and spent the 30 minutes flashing the Android 4.2 ROM to my cellphone, the Galaxy Nexus. The first thing to address (before I fawn over how awesome A4.2 is) is that Google must make this process far easier for the less than technically minded with newer Android based phones. This gaping hole in Google’s infrastructure leaves an opportunity for a third party business outside of the large companies stuck in the motions of what they’re doing already. A platform independent, GUI based, one click style update system software would sell like hotcakes. If I could buy some sotware like that, something that would keep my phone up to date with one click, without having to worry about flashing ROMs and command line operations, I would be paying for that now. But it doesn’t currently exist.
And that’s a real shame, because Android 4.2 is hands down the best mobile operating system that exists for public release right now. If the initial release of 4.1 was the update that made Android competitive with Apple’s iOS, the 4.2 update is the polish that takes Android to the next level and allows me to say without a doubt – Android has taken the lead here. New to this update are a number of small tweaks that make it that much better.
The first thing, and the most important in my mind, is the addition of the two finger swipe for the ‘easy access’ settings menu.
The second is the update of the clock software. This feels like a fuller, brand new, completely better clock and alarm clock system.
The third thing is the continued updates and integration of Google Now with all the other Google services. I can see a future where Google Now is the interface by which all Google services are accessed regardless of which device you’re using – your PC, tablet, phone, or heads up display via something like Project Glass.
