Android 5.0 “Jelly Bean” to launch in Q2 2012

We should expect Google to release the next-gen Android OS, “Jelly Bean”, or Android 5.0 in Q2 of this year. Not only will Android 5.0 arrive for smartphones and tablets, but it should run on Windows 8-based devices, too.

What? It’ll run on Windows 8 devices? Yes. Google are hoping to have device makers support both Android 5.0 and Windows 8, as Google want to push into the notebook and netbook markets, as well as smartphones, tablets and PCs, according to Taiwan-based supply chain makers.

Brand vendors could choose between adopting just Android 5.0 Jelly Bean, or they could add Android 5.0 to Windows 8 devices, and then throw in the ability to switch between the two OSes, without requiring a reboot or shut down. This could be huge for Google.

But, there is always a but. Google’s downstream partners are weary of Android 5.0, because Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich did not perform anywhere near where they expected it to. This could relate to the staged releases on devices, if Android 5.0 is to succeed, it needs to roll out to most Android-powered devices, within the first 1-2 weeks. Google, in the words of Rob Schneider, “you can do it!”

Source: DigiTimes.