Google’s next version of Android comes with some pretty nifty features, but one of the most exciting aspects is the platform development kit. Google will be punting this out to hardware partners two months before each new software update.

That means you should get a prompt update to the next version of Android as it launches, or very soon thereafter, rather than having to wait for months.

The platform development kit (PDK) looks to correct one of the most annoying quirks of Android. With hardware partners having access to it months ahead of the latest release, their devices should be bang up to date as soon as the newest version of Android launches. So no more waiting for an update to trickle through the cracks and finally drip onto your handset.

When it launches in mid-July, Jelly Bean will be available for the Nexus 7, Galaxy Nexus, Motorola Xoom, and Samsung Galaxy S2. That’s in contrast to Ice Cream Sandwich, which was only on the Galaxy Nexus at launch.

Android owners have been irritated at having to wait for months for the latest update. Most of us are still waiting for Ice Cream Sandwich, even now that Google has announced Jelly Bean.

Jelly Bean comes with some great features. Google Now is a location-based service that gives you the right information just as you need it. So get to the bus stop, and it’ll tell you when the next bus is due. Handy. It’ll learn your commute and tell you what the traffic is like. And not only will it remind you of appointments, it’ll advise you on the best way to get there.

Search has also had a complete overhaul for Jelly Bean. There’s improved voice recognition, and answers appear on cards you can swipe away to get to a series of web links. A more accurate predictive keyboard is also there, along with offline voice typing.

Jelly Bean looks awesome too, with a higher frame rate making everything buttery smooth. It’ll even anticipate where your finger is to make the screen respond faster.

So there you go, new features aplenty. But what’s most exciting is that more of us will be able to actually get the update.

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  • Jim

    Galaxy s2, really? Have Samsung announced this?

    • Cakefish

      I sure hope it will. They better not forget us like they did with GSI owners. GSII is capable of running JB fine as evidenced by the fact the Nexus S will get the update and has only half the memory of the GSII. No excuses Samsung! Hopefully same time as GSIII gets the update.

      • Cakefish

        Hopefully same time as GSIII gets it.

  • Ajay Shah

    I think you made a mistake in the article or have some inside information because the Galaxy S2 will not be upgraded with Google’s devices.

  • Anthony Bennett

    It is unlikely that the s2 will be in line for updates first, especially given it’s big brother the s3 being newer – can you imagine the anger of the s3 owners? However, it’s not unrealistic to imagine the s2 receiving the update to 4.1 eventually. For rooted owners, the update will obviously come quicker as some kind soul will port it or make it available some other way.

  • Mikael Guggenheim

    This article seem to be written about someones wishes and not the reality…

    • Anthony Bennett

      Exactly – lol, did you see the article about the ipad 4? Ridiculous….

      • Mikael Guggenheim

        No, just read this and didn’t feel like reading anything else he had to say.. :P

  • mandeep

    for the motorola xoom, ha, i’ve still not got my ICS update

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