AT&T Offers Android 4.1 & DriveMode Update for Sony Xperia TL

Starting today, AT&T customers with Sony Xperia TL smartphones will be able to download the Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) update for their devices, along with AT&T Drive Mode, a separate app designed to curb texting while driving. The software update includes a data usage calculator and enhancements to notifications, power management and the camera interface.

New Features

The Android 4.1 update offers Sony Xperia TL users multiple enhancements to notifications. With Jelly Bean, customers can now see the full text of an SMS message and the full photo of an MMS in the notification window.

Also through the Jelly Bean upgrade, the notification display now groups updates from the same application together, allowing users to expand or collapse notifications directly from the display. In addition, event notifications now display more of the event description, said Shayan Rezvani in an AT&T blog.

Rezvani also noted that the update "adds a data usage calculator that allows you to set a limit on your data usage each month."

Users will be able to better manage their battery life with an improved power management feature, he said.

Sony Xperia TL customers will also receive a new camera interface with Superior Auto Mode, which automatically helps users to select the best settings when taking a photo. Additionally, there is a new HDR capability which takes three pictures with different lighting conditions and combines them into a single photo.

AT&T Drive Mode

Also with the update, Xperia TL customers will now have access to a separate app called AT&T DriveMode. Once set up, the app allows users to automatically reply to incoming messages after the vehicle starts moving past 25 mph. The reply works similarly to an "out of office" response. It can be sent to texts, emails, or wireless callers to let people know you are unable to respond at the moment.

How to Update

To receive the update, users will need to connect to a Wi-Fi network. Once connected select Applications > Settings > About Phone > Software Update, and then simply follow the on-screen directions.