Android 4.3, JellyBean Update for Galaxy Note 3 Rolling Out Soon

By Vincent Funaro, Christian Post Reporter Wednesday, October 16, 2013

The Android 4.3, JellyBean update for the Galaxy Note 3 should be available soon in the form of a new ROM.

CyanogenMod founder Steve Kondik recently spoke about the status of his custom build of the software for the device. He shared an image of the handset running it on his Google+ account on Monday. The CyanogenMod is based off of Android 4.3, JellyBean.

Test versions of the ROM will be available on the XDA developer's forum soon, however; there is no word on when the final version will roll out.

The Galaxy Note 3 can now be rooted with a new method released by XDA developers.

It's called Root de la Vega and it bypasses some of the issues users were having with previous rooting methods. Other attempts triggered a response from the KNOX security software that messe up the device. They set the status to unofficial and void the warrantee on the handset.

The new method avoids the KNOX problem.

In order to root the Note 3 users must have a Windows PC, Samsung's Odin flash tool, and a moderate amount of modding/flashing/rooting knowledge. It's compatible with the model's SM-N9005, SM-N900W8 and the AT&T and Verizon versions.

Samsung also plans to release a Galaxy Note 3 variant that comes equipped with a fingerprint sensor before the end of this year.

The company is currently developing fingerprint recognition technology that will first be used on a new model of the phablet, according to a new report from ETNews. The publication cited industry sources for the information.

"If things go as planned, Samsung Electronics will finish development of the fingerprint recognition system by the end of the year," said an insider cited by ETNews. The company is developing the technology independently, but specialists from CrucialTec and Parton may become involved in the process.