Motorola Razr range Android Jelly Bean update beginning in December

Motorola has updated its Android update schedule with new info regarding when the range of Razr handsets will receive a 4.1 Jelly Bean update.

For the European market the updates will begin this month with the Razr HD being patched at an unspecified date between now and the end of the year.

Following this, the Razr i will be updated in 2013’s first quarter, though we don’t know exactly when - that'll mean it's a little late on Motorola's previous estimates.

Both the original Razr and Razr Maxx are set to follow afterwards, but again no dates or even an approximate month or quarter is specified. Motorla also includes the caveat that the dates are ‘subject to change’.

While nothing has been said on the subject, we expect these updates to appear over-the-air as the previous updates have done on unlocked Razr handsets. Those with carrier-locked models could have to wait a little longer, but having said that Motorola does state it is working with its carrier partners.

At present there’s no mention on when the Motorola Xoom tablet range might be updated, currently it’s still listed with just Android 4.0.4 on Motorola’s update table. Again, previously Motorola has kept these devices reasonably well updated so we expect to hear more soon.

Android Jelly Bean 4.1 includes a number of key features. Most notably it’s faster and smoother than even Android Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0) thanks to the Butter UI optimisations, but it also includes the Google Now service update to the Google Search app and a few more useful interface tweaks.

Admittedly, 4.2 Jelly Bean is now out there and its own additional features make it a bit nicer, but still, Motorola’s doing a pretty good job of keeping the Razr range relevant despite its age.

It’s not clear at this point whether Motorola will be rolling out stock Jelly Bean or a modified version – on the Razr i we saw a version of Android Ice Cream Sandwich with some unique, presumably Google-sanctioned, interface elements without the addition of a broader, bulky interface overlay for the whole platform.

We’ll be sure to bring you more news as we hear it.