At last night’s Samsung Unpacked 2 event at the Berlin IFA tech event Samsung unveiled its latest Galaxy smartphone/tablet device, the Samsung Galaxy Note 3. The device will be released with the latest version of the Android Jelly Bean OS when it’s let loose later this month, but Samsung also revealed that it would be releasing the 4.3 version of Jelly Bean to older handsets at the same time.
Customers with the Samsung Galaxy SIII and Galaxy S4 will now be getting the 4.3 update on their phones around October, shortly after the next generation Note 3 gets released.
Samsung plans to start the rollout of the 4.3 Jelly Bean update in October and as with most Android software updates, the software will come in batches and to SIM-free and unbranded handsets firsts with network branded devices receiving the software a while after, due to thorough testing being required by each network.
Many are speculating that the quick turnaround in software updates for the Galaxy S4 and SIII is due to the compatibility of the new Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch which was also announced last night.
The Galaxy Gear is a smartwatch accessory which pairs with Galaxy devices and offers users call management, messaging and even special apps on the wrist. It links up to Android smartphones via Bluetooth and even offers its own camera.
The Galaxy Gear requires Bluetooth 4.0 LE (low energy) to be part of a device’s technical make-up, and it’s believed that the Jelly Bean 4.3 update is best suited for the connectivity of these devices. Many are assuming that Samsung is also favouring the Galaxy Note 3 to be partnered with the smartwatch as the devices have a similar business-themed target market.
What we do know is that any update to keep older Android smartphones at the top of their game is a blessing and the quick turnaround on the Galaxy S3 and S4 will be well received by owners of the handsets.
When the 4.3 updates start to roll out we will keep you posted.