Sony quickly marks to officially confirm several Xperia devices which are going to receive Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update. Included are Sony Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia ZR, Xperia Z Ultra, Xperia Tablet Z and the Xperia SP.

Sony Officially Confirm Android 4.3 Jelly Bean Update

Sony is now moving on from Android 4.2.2 to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update. The company finally made the update official by confirming several Xperia devices such as Xperia Z, ZL, ZR, Z Ultra, Tablet Z and SP to receive the newest Android version.

But the announcement has a twist for owners using other Xperia devices not mentioned above. Sony also plans to select other handsets jumping from Android 4.1.2 to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean once the update has been completed.

However, Sony didn't announce any schedule on when will this new update is up for release. Nonetheless, owners of Xperia devices have now a clear idea what Sony will be doing for several months from now on. For those lucky Xperia users receiving the update this year, it could also be an invitation for Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie major firmware update by late 2013 or early 2014.

Software Upgrade Process Explained

Sony already begun processing software upgrades and the company see it as an important asset for a device. The software upgrade process consists of two main phases - Bring up phase and the Test Certification and Approval phase.

A. Bring Up Phase

Sony needs to make sure that they get the core Android operating system such as boot, kernel and all hardware components. All of these should be running and stable which are required for future integration - new updates with same firmware or for major Android version release such as Android 5.0.

During this phase, Sony also needs to update the Hardware Abstraction Layer or HAL which needed for their components to work perfectly. Sony uses difference cameras, displays, memory chips and sensors. All of these components must be integrated with the new software properly, thus, a great deal of work for them.

After finishing HAL integration, Sony will place all basic functionalities such as phone calls, messaging and internet connectivity then software patches and improvements from Sony, such as Xperia UI and other applications.

B. Test Certification and Approval Phase

After Sony tested and made the firmware fully stable, right before owners can get the update, the company requires software and hardware parts complied with technology standards such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Sony also needs to ensure that they updated everything and follows the necessary legal requirements such as Intellectual Property Rights or IPRs.

Normally, Sony attempts to get every global certification but in many cases there are specific tests required to certain countries - up to 80 countries in total. Once all these steps and hardships have been accomplished, Sony can finally push their updates around the world and users must be patient for these updates always arrive to specific areas and network carriers in phases.

So before you'll get Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, Sony is going to spend time dealing with the two phases just to send the latest Android version to every Xperia device.