Google's Android 4.3 announcement has sent many developers and manufacturers rushing back to the coding table in order to whip up a new batch of firmwares to roll out. Google Nexus devices that run AOSP such as the Nexus 4, Nexus 7, and Nexus 10 are all already receiving Android 4.3, and Google has even released factory images for all the firmwares — well, almost all. Verizon's Galaxy Nexus variant seems to have been left out.
Verizon's Galaxy Nexus, despite being a Nexus device, has always received new Android versions incredibly late compared to the rest of the lineup. Luckily, one Android developer fed up with waiting has developed an Android 4.3 ROM for the Verizon Galaxy Nexus that he claims is about as close to OTA as possible.
"This ROM is Android Jelly Bean 4.3, build JSS15J. The ROM is built directly from source, that is, the Android source code published by Google available for download to all of us developers," explains baldwinguy77 in a RootzWiki thread where the ROM can be downloaded.
"The reason I say the ROM is 'OTA-like' is because I make VERY few modifications to it, aside from the things that it takes to get the ROM working. I'll go into detail about those things below, but basically I just want the ROM to make your phone feel stable and shiny and new as if it has just received a new OTA update."
The ROM isn't official, so the usual warnings apply, and there are some bugs still present that the developer promises to remove soon. Still, it's a nice option, and given Verizon's sloth-like attitude regarding Android updates, it'll probably be a Verizon Galaxy Nexus owner's best option for some time — at least for those interested in a stock Android experience.
Let us know if you download the Android 4.3 ROM for the Verizon Galaxy Nexus and what your experience with the firmware is like in the comments section below.