Google Android 5.0 'Jelly Bean' rumoured for Q2 launch

Google is rumoured to be working on the next iteration of its Android mobile operating system, codenamed Jelly bean, despite the fact that most customers have yet to get their teeth into Ice Cream Sandwich.

Digitimes cites Taiwan-based supply chain firms as saying that Google is "likely to" release Android 5.0 in the second quarter of this year, from April to June.

This comes despite Google's Android 4.0, known as Ice Cream Sandwich, still only being available on selected mobile phones and tablets.

The sources claim that the early release is in response to the impending threat posed by the launch of Microsoft's Windows 8, which will be optimised for tablet devices.

Keen not to lose ground to Microsoft's operating system, Google is thought to be preparing to fast track the new version of Android with its manufacturing partners.

The company is hoping to adopt Android 5.0 and Windows 8 in the same device, said the supply chain firms. They also suggested that the Android 5.0 will attempt to more closely integrate the netbook OS, as Ice Cream Sandwich did with the smartphone and tablet systems.

Details are scant on Jellybean, although Digitimes said Android 5.0 will be "further optimised for tablet PCs", and Google will integrate the Chrome operating system in a dual-operating system design.

"Brand vendors can either choose to adopt only Android 5.0 or add Android 5.0 to Windows 8 devices with the ability to switch between the two OSs without the need to shut down the computer," said the website.

"Through Android 5.0, Google also wishes to earn another chance to enter the notebook and netbook markets."

However, Digitimes notes that Ice Cream Sandwich "did not perform as well as expected", meaning several of Google's downstream partners are "turning conservative about Android 5.0".

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