Google Nexus devices are first to get Android 4.3

Google executive Huga Barra said that Google's Nexus family of devices will be the first to get the new version of Jellybean Android 4.3, but the Google Play Edition phones will have to wait a little while.

(Credit: CNET/James Martin)

Android 4.3 isn't a big enough upgrade to the Android software to get its own dessert name, but that doesn't mean that Google fans won't be clamoring for it. So which devices will get the new release of software first?

The software, which was announced today at a special Google event in San Francisco on Wednesday will ship with the newly updated Nexus 7. The software will also be coming to older Google Nexus devices.

Starting today, the original Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 tablets along with Google's Nexus 4 and Galaxy Nexus smartphones will get the upgrades over the air, said Hugo Barra, vice president of Android product management.

The Google Play editions of the Galaxy S4 and the HTC One will get the software "soon," he added.

Barra didn't mention when other Google Android devices can expect to get the new software. That means customers buying the recently launched Galaxy S4 and HTC One devices from wireless operators will likely have to wait awhile for the new upgrades, as will the new Motorola Droid smartphones announced on Tuesday for Verizon Wireless's network.

Motorola, which is now owned by Google, is unveiling its new flagship the Motorola X next week. It's unclear at this point if the device will sport the new software, but many experts suspect it will.

As mentioned above, the latest version of Android is not a major overhaul of the operating system. In fact, there are only minor additions to the software, such Multi-User Restricted profiles, Bluetooth Smart technology, and greater graphics capabilities thanks to Open GLES 3.0 support.

Officially, Android 4.3 is still a version of Jelly Bean, which makes sense, considering the minor nature of its changes. This means that many eager Google fans are still waiting for Key Lime Pie.

CNET's live coverage of Google's 'Breakfast with Sindar Pichai' event