Internet search giant Google has begun uploading the latest version of its Android operation system to users' smartphones.
Owners of the HSPA+ version ofSamsung's Galaxy Nexus, available in the UK, most of Europe and the US, are the first to receive the update.
Google claims that the Jelly Bean software offers an improved search experience.
According to The BBC, the update, also known as Android 4.1, poses a direct challenge to Apple iPhone's voice-recognition app Siri.
Google said it has improved Voice Search so that it can display answers to spoken questions from sources including Wikipedia.
According to the report, it has also introduced Google Now, which is designed to offer information without the user having to actively trigger a query.
"Google Now tells you today's weather before you start your day, how much traffic to expect before you leave for work, or your favourite team's score as they're playing," said the firm in an update to the Nexus page on its Google+ social network.
According to the report, both newly introduced features are potentially in breach of an integrated search patent filed by Apple
