Sprint has started pushing out Android 4.2.1 Jelly Bean to its Galaxy Nexus customers over-the-air (OTA). The update will be rolled out in stages and Sprint plans to update all Galaxy Nexus smartphones on its network within 21 days.

Previously, owners of the Sprint Galaxy Nexus could update their smartphones to the latest Android 4.2.1 Jelly Bean, not OTA from Google or Sprint, but via SXTP Developers.

The Galaxy Nexus, launched in November 2011, was the first smartphone to run on Android 4.1 Ice Cream Sandwich. Google stopped selling the Galaxy Nexus in October last year after the announcement of its successor, the Nexus 4.

The operating system upgrade from Android 4.1.1 to 4.2.1 includes a redesigned camera interface and new Photo Sphere feature (a 360-degree panorama mode). Users can now access the Notifications Shade by swiping the top screen edge downwards. Swipe down with two fingers to view notifications, tap the notification to expand and take action on it.

The update also brings lockscreen widgets to access certain apps without unlocking the screen. Users can sidescroll right for camera or left for other widgets (time and weather, gmail, etc.)

If you want to check if you have received the update then go to Settings > About phone > System Updates > Check Now on your handset.

You can also visit Sprint community blog to get detailed instructions of how to update your Galaxy Nexus to Android 4.2.1.