Sprint Nexus devices, Galaxy Nexus and Nexus S 4G, start getting Android 4.1 Jelly Bean over the air

Sprint today announced it has started pushing out an over-the-air (OTA) update of Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) for its Google Nexus devices, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus and the Samsung Nexus S 4G. The carrier typically pushes its updates in stages over a 10-21 day period, and device selection is “random,” so if you don’t see it now, you likely will sometime this month.

Sprint also notes that once your device is deemed eligible, the update will be downloaded automatically. You will then be prompted to install it and the process should “take a few minutes,” during which and your device will be disabled.

Here’s the changelog for the Galaxy Nexus Software Update (L700.FH05) and the Nexus S Software Update (JRO03R), from Sprint (it’s the same for both devices):

• Notification Bar – Expanded view of emails.
• Meeting Makers – more information to notification bar. Provides the ability to snooze and dismiss meetings from the notification bar.
• Addition of Google Now (online search): Voice search and Integrated approach to search features within Google services.

The whole point of a Google Nexus device is to get timely updates to the latest and greatest versions of Android. Unfortunately, as has often been the case with CDMA Nexus devices, the updates are anything but timely. This particular OTA update was put on hold last week, so it’s great to see that Sprint didn’t decide to hold off indefinitely, or something else ridiculous carries on this side of the pond are known for.

In case you’ve rooted either of these devices, remember that this update will revert those changes. You will have to root your device again, once a hack to do so is discovered. If rooting your device is important, avoid installing this update until an exploit has been found.

Read also: Google kicks off Android 4.1 Jelly Bean rollout with update for Galaxy Nexus HSPA+

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