Android 4.1 Jelly Bean Update: HP TouchPad Upgrade In The Works

(Photo : Google)

It might have not enjoyed the initial success it wanted, but it looks like Hewlett-Packard's TouchPad tablet is getting new life breathed into it. A port of the most current Android operating system, Jelly Bean, seems to be in the works for the tablet.

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The build being tested is still in its early stages. Labeled CyanogenMode 10 (CM10), it still lacks full functionality, according to testers from Liliputing.

"In other words, you can't really use the TouchPad to listen to music, stream movies from Netflix or YouTube, or play most 3D games yet," the Liliputing review said. "But you do get some of the improvements in Android 4.1 Jelly Bean including a smoother, faster user interface, notification improvements, and a more accurate keyboard."

While a proper, functional Jelly Bean update is still obviously a ways away, owners of an HP Touchpad can once again feel like they haven't purchased an outdated tablet. 

The Touchpad's launch fell short of expectations, and it wasn't until Android 2.3 Gingerbread and later Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich were ported that the tablet began garnering attention. HP has discontinued production, but you can still pick them up at online retailers for around $150.

Jelly Bean is not a completely new iteration of the Android operating system, but it does offer a number of new features. Under the hood, it offers a smoother, more visual performance, and also comes with Google's voice assistant, Google Now, and the ability to wirelessly transfer data using Android Beam. It is currently available on the Google Nexus 7 tablet and three smartphones worldwide.

Smartphone manufacturers such as Samsung are working on bringing Jelly Bean to their devices and a number of tablets are also lined up for an update.