It's been quite some time since Google has released a new version of Android, with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean rolling out last October. The wait should finally end, however, as Android 4.3 is expected to officially rear its head for the first time on Wednesday, July 24.
Google recently sent out invites to members of the press asking them to cordially join the search giant for a "breakfast with Sundar Pichai" at which the Android/Chrome chief will apparently discuss some of Google's upcoming projects. Among the items rumored to be revealed is the next-gen Nexus 7 tablet, a new Chrome OS, and, of course, Android 4.3. The event will take place July 24 at 9 a.m. PDT at Dogpatch Studios in San Francisco.
Not much is known about the Android 4.3 except that it will not be a major overhaul and will keep the Jelly Bean moniker. The firmware has already been spotted running on several devices in the wild, and the major changes seem to be a new camera API and improved Bluetooth support. It's not much, and it looks like Google will be holding off on radically upgrading Android until Android 5.0 "Key Lime Pie" releases sometime around October or November.
Android 4.3 should hit Google Nexus devices such as the Nexus 4 smartphone, and Nexus 7 and 10 tablets soon after Wednesday. Google Play editions of the Galaxy S4 and HTC One should also be one of the first ones running Android 4.3. Don't expect Android 4.3 to land on many other devices, as most companies are just now bumping their lineups to Android 4.2.2. Given the timely developmental process, it's more likely that most phones and tablets will have to wait until Android 5.0 given the incremental nature of Android 4.3.
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