Google quietly releasing Android 4.2.2, blocks Nexus 4 LTE tweak

Google has yet to officially announce the arrival of Android 4.2.2 but that doesn’t mean it isn’t already being made available. Reports are coming in that the revised version of Android is now available as an over-the-air update for Nexus device owners. We suggest you proceed with caution, however, as the update patches a workaround that will disable a useful feature on some handsets / carriers.

A list of known changes in 4.2.2 can be seen below, courtesy of Android Central.

• When connecting via adb to a computer for the first time, you're prompted to allow the connection. This small security enhancement will help keep your bootloader locked device safe if you lose it.
• App download notification have been changed. Now you'll see a progress bar that tells you the time remaining in addition to a percentage downloaded.
• Quick settings have been enhanced. Users can now long press on the Wifi and Bluetooth icons to toggle the setting.
• New sounds for wireless charging initiation and low battery alert. Users will now hear a notification sound when the device is placed on a wireless charger. In addition the low battery sound has been changed.
• Vibration for notifications is longer in duration.
• New Gallery app animation allows faster loading.

We are also hearing that the update includes some stability enhancements like fixing the Bluetooth stack to prevent audio stuttering and another repair that addresses Nexus devices that have been randomly rebooting. But perhaps the biggest “fix” of them all is a patch that removes an unofficial LTE workaround.

As Anandtech points out, the Nexus 4 included undocumented support for LTE on Band 4 which could easily be enabled by selecting the appropriate radio access technology. Android 4.2.2 addresses this, preventing the phone from attaching to Band 4 LTE.

To sum it all up: if you are using the LTE workout and want to keep that fast connection, Android 4.2.2 or any subsequent update probably won’t be in your future. Everyone else may want to snag the update as it addresses some seemingly valuable bugs.