Sony Xperia Ion Jelly Bean Update Release Date: Android 4.1 Starts Rolling Out

Sony's new, shiny Xperia Z line of handsets might be getting most of the press these days, but the electronics manufacturer hasn't forgotten about older models, as it seems owners of the 2012 Xperia Ion smartphone are now receiving their promised Jelly Bean update.

As of now, Xperia Ion users are currently in the process of receiving firmware 6.2.B.0.211, which is Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. Users are reporting receiving the upgrade over the air, but as is usual with OTA rollouts, not everybody will get their chance to download just yet. Jelly Bean will be pushed out in batches, meaning some will get it before others, but with a little (more) patience, Xperia Ion users everywhere should have Jelly Bean within a couple weeks.

Android 4.1 Jelly Bean may not be the latest version of Android (that's Android 4.2.2), but it will bring some much needed improvements to the Xperia Ion's interface. Project Butter will boost system performance and fluidity with a series of optimizations and frame rate adjustments. Google Now, a personal assistant, will attempt to deliver information before it is even asked for, displaying information such as commute times and the weather. Widgets, notifications, and settings are all more customizable, and the firmware will include the usual security and bug fixes.

This isn't the only Sony handset currently getting a new version of Android. Sony's Xperia Z and Xperia ZL phones are getting their bump up to Android 4.2.2, and the older Xperia S also recently got its taste of Jelly Bean goodness not too long ago.

Let us know if you snag Android 4.1 Jelly Bean for your Xperia Ion and how your experience with the new operating system is in the in comments section below.