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View Full Version : Android 4.2 available for Nexus 7, but only via manual download



Shane McMahon's Ass
11-13-2012, 06:52 PM
Android 4.2 is finally here for Google's Nexus 7 tablet, but anxious owners will have to install it manually for now.

As described by blog site Android Police, the 4.2 update package can be downloaded as a zip file from Google.

Once you've downloaded the file, you can follow the steps offered by Android Police to update your tablet.

The steps differ depending on whether you have a stock recovery or a custom recovery. So, what does that mean?

Android devices store a recovery partition that can reset them back to factory conditions. A stock recovery comes with your device by default and deletes all of your files and data. A custom recovery must be installed separately but offers more flexibility than the stock recovery.

The 4.2 update is also designed specifically for the Takju Galaxy Nexus, which refers to a Nexus sold directly from the Google Play store as opposed to variants sold in overseas markets.

Android 4.2 offers several benefits over its 4.1 predecessor.

People who share a single device among themselves can log in with their own separate accounts. The latest version supports multiple users, so each person can have a unique home screen, background image, and apps.

Android 4.2 offers a keyboard that lets you input characters using gliding gestures, a la Swype. It can also display entire strings of different words as you type to better predict what you want to type. A 360-degree panoramic photo feature named Photo Sphere helps you combine different photos in any direction to create a full panorama.

And another 4.2 feature called Miracast takes a page from Apple's AirPlay by streaming video and audio from your Android phone or tablet to your TV.

Nexus 7 owners who'd rather not install Android 4.2 manually can wait until Google releases an over-the-air update, which should come along soon. CNET contacted Google for comment and will update the story when we receive any information.



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