Google's Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating system will take a while before it is seen on a significant number of devices. So far, only three smartphones in the world run official Jelly Bean ports, and only two tablets: the Google Nexus 7, and the 10-inch Motorola XOOM Wi-Fi version. Now, an accidental download shows that an Android Jelly Bean update for Verizon's 4G LTE Motorola XOOM is in the works.
It seems that a lucky reader of DroidLife received a Jelly Bean update on his Verizon 4G LTE Motorola XOOM tablet sometime over the weekend. Screenshots posted by the reader show that it is indeed the Verizon build. To prove that it's actually Jelly Bean, the reader also posted a screenshot of him using Google Now, a Jelly Bean-only feature, to look up the weather.
More likely than not, the reader somehow received the lucky end of the stick and Verizon might have accidentally included his device as one of the ones authorized to test the Jelly Bean update. Despite the fact that it may seem like a Jelly Bean update is imminent for the 4G LTE XOOM, don't hold your breath. Verizon is a bit slow at getting out Android updates and they just released an update for the 4G LTE XOOM to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich in June, around two months ago.
Android updates are staggered and slow across Android devices because of the open-source nature of the software. Manufacturers tailor the Android OS to their devices, and then must send it over to the carriers who distribute them to devices.
A screenshot showing the Jelly Bean update being installed on the 4G LTE XOOM tablet: