Users of the Sony Xperia V smartphone in Singapore, along with those in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Germany and Switzerland, have started receiving the Android “Jellybean” software update that brings a smoother interface and a number of new features.
By releasing the Android 4.1.2 update, the Japanese phone maker seems to have improved on its somewhat spotty track record of updating its phones.
In Singapore, the Xperia V had arrived in stores last month with the slightly dated “Ice Cream Sandwich” version of the Google Android operating system.
The update brings with it the smoother interface offered by Jellybean, as well as features like an option to choose an e-wallet either provided by Google or the telecom operator.
Other small changes include wallpapers and lock screens similar to those on Sony’s upcoming flagship phone, the Xperia Z. There’s also an option to disable the camera click sound now when you snap away.
What’s important is that the Xperia V is now an up-to-date and affordable LTE phone to rival Samsung and Apple (read our hands-on test with the Xperia V). And that’s before the rather impressive Xperia Z comes to town in a few months’ time.
One question over the update is whether Sony has fixed some of the bugs reported by users. The “sleep of death” issue, for example, means that the phone cannot come back on after going into sleep mode, and users are forced to take out the battery to restart the phone.
It’s unclear if Sony has addressed this. From what a reader has told us so far, the update seems well worth the trouble because of the slightly smoother interface.
We’ll be back with more updates in the days ahead. Meanwhile, you can get the update over the PC companion software that comes with the phone.
Share with us your experience with the update as well.
I get the sleep of death a couple times a day after updating!
i have update now
yah
Haven’t received any update in Singapore yet ! It still says your phone in uptodate in the pc companion.