Google Android 4.3 begins rolling out

Google’s new Nexus 7 tablet will be the first device to ship with Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. But the company will start pushing the software update to existing devices today.

The first device in line for Android 4.3 will be the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, Google Nexus 4, and original Google Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 tablets. According to Google there will be updates for the HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Edition devices soon as well, but those updates will be pushed by HTC and Samsung, not Google itself.

Update: Don’t feel like waiting for the over-the-air-update? You can download the Android 4.3 factory images for the latest Nexus devices straight from Google.

Thanks to leaked builds of Android 4.3, we already knew that Android 4.3 would have support for OpenGL ES 3.0, Bluetooth Low Energy, a new default font, updated notification tools, and more.

Now we also know that the update brings new DRM APIs designed to let companies like Netflix stream 1080p HD video to Android devices without annoying copyright holders. In fact, Netflix will be one of the first companies to use the new APIs, which means that 1080p streaming is coming soon to Netflix for Android.

Another update is support for restricted user profiles. Like Android 4.2, the new version of Android lets you set up multiple user profiles on a device. But now you can also restrict access to apps and content on a per-user basis, so if you don’t want kids playing certain games on your tablet, you can restrict their access.

Google says some of the other changes in Android 4.3 include:

• Fast user-switching
• Easier text input
• Dial pad autocomplete
• Background WiFi location
• Additional languages

All told this is a minor update, which explains why it’s not called Android 5.0. The overall user experience in Android 4.3 Jelly Bean should be a lot like other versions of Jelly Bean.