Jelly Bean 4.2.1 firmware leaked, update may soon be available for Galaxy S3

When all the world is going 4.2.2 with Nexus series, the Galaxy S3 users are still on the Android 4.2.0 OS.  But now a pre release version of the 4.2.1 firmware (I9300XXUFMB3) was leaked and the download link is given in this post.   This is the biggest hint that the official version is not far behind.

Galaxy S3 owners may receive the update as early as next week as Samsung plans to launch its S4 at the MWC and before that it may give the S3 owners something to be proud of.

The 4.2.1 version brings many goodies to the device like Google Now which was not available for S3. Samsung has also included its Nature US with the update.  The notification has many more toggles which can be accessed by a two finger swipe down.  It also lets you customize the toggle in the drawer to avoid  overlap of similar toggles.  The update also brings Daydream feature which looks fabulous on S3's screen.  Now S3 also gets the lock screen widget.

The firmware I9300XXUFMB3 update brings these changes:

Android 4.2.1 – JOP40D
Improved Ripple effect on Lockscreen
Lockscreen widgets
Daydream feature
New toggles in Notification Centre
Actionable notifications

Voice commands to control many actions  

You may download the leaked firmware here.  The build has been tested at XDA Developer forums.  If you are uncomfortable with the rooting process please wait till March, 2013.  You may get the official update.

Please post your comments on the new firmware if you have tried it.

Vijay Prabhu

Flashing instructions :

- Unzip the file
- Open Odin 3.04 (already included in the firmware package)
- Restart phone in download mode (Press and hold Home + Power + Volume down buttons)
- Connect phone and wait until you get a blue sign in Odin
- Add I9300XXUFMB3_I9300OJKFMB3_HOME.tar.md5 to PDA
- Make sure re-partition is NOT ticked
- Start flash, sit back and wait a few minutes.
- If you encounter any issues with the firmware (Any FC, Bootloop etc)
- Boot into recovery mode (Home+power+vol up)
- Choose to wipe/factory reset. (THIS WILL ERASE ALL OF YOUR DATA INCLUDING YOUR INTERNAL SD CARD!)
- Then choose reboot and you should be good to go!