Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One Google Editions Receive Android 4.3, JellyBean Security Update
Both the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One Google Play editions have received an Android 4.3, JellyBean security update this week.
These are the first two variants of both handsets to receive the upgrade to the software. The new update brings a security fix to both devices that experts believe repairs a cryptographic vulnerability that hackers allegedly exploited in a Bitcoin heist last month. Google did not reveal its actual purpose.
The codename for the update is JWR66Y and it is currently available on the Google Play edition of both devices. It is not clear if it brought any other changes to the handsets at this time.
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Nexus devices received this same update on August 21. The carrier versions should get it sometime in the near future.
The Google Play editions for both the Galaxy S4 and HTC One launched earlier this year and feature the exact same specs as the carrier based models.
The main difference between them is that these Google Play versions run pure Android software, eliminating the need for Samsung's TouchWiz UI and HTC's Sense platforms. Android users prefer these pure versions as it is easier to make and receive software updates for them. They also seem to run a bit smoother.
HTC announced that it would release a Google Play model of the One shortly after Samsung confirmed its pure Android Galaxy S4.
Both devices are currently available for purchase in the Google Play store. They come automatically off contract so their price tags are a bit high. The HTC One sells for $599 and the Galaxy S4 costs $649. The devices are much cheaper on contract as both normally retail for somewhere around $199 through various carriers.
