Android KitKat 4.4 is now out in the wild, admittedly in a limited capacity at this stage.
While then new version might not be a massive overhaul in terms of functionality, it's a signficiant face-lift on the UI design front, with a noticably lighter and brighter interface freed from this heavy, dark bar elements at the top and bottom. Icons are also bigger, while Google Now has been fully integrated into the launcher. The general idea is to make Android nicer to look at and easier to use. Read on to find out all the details about Google's latest chocolate flavoured OS.
[Scroll down for Android 4.4 update schedule]
Android 4.4 is a pretty significant update, one that sees both UX changes and plenty of new features added. A lot has also gone under the hood, but anyone using a stock version of the platform will immediately notice subtle differences in the design, layout, look and feel of the platform. Icons are bigger, the app tray has been re-designed and Google Now is a lot more influential inside the OS. Android 4.4 is currently only available on Google’s Nexus devices –– specifically, the Nexus 5, Nexus 7 (both versions), Nexus 4 and Nexus 10. Unfortunately there is no support for the Samsung-built Galaxy Nexus S. Below is everything you need to know about Google’s brand-spanking new iteration of Android complete with update news, features, reviews and tips and tricks. Take a break, have a KitKat, and enjoy…
LG Optimus G receives Android 4.4 in Estonia
Android 4.4 KitKat has started rolling out on the LG Optimus G, but only in Estonia. The update is only available for those on a certain network, Elisa, the second biggest in the country. LG’s G2, a much higher specced phone, is still on Android 4.2.2 in most regions.
LG have not commented when the update will be available in other countries. It also has not confirmed when other LG handsets will receive the update either. It’s a strange handset to update and a strange way of doing it. Most major OEMs have confirmed Android 4.4 updates for January 2014.
And because Android 4.4 can run on 512MB of RAM, handset makers have very little excuses now for not getting a good deal of their devices up and running on the latest build of Android.
Google takes away popular Gallery app
Android 4.4 KitKat brought about an upgraded, powerful photo editor to the Nexus 5. The app was called Gallery but it has since been removed from the newly launched Google Play edition devices. The LG G pad 8.3 and the Sony Xperia Z Ultra no longer come with the Gallery app installed.
Users have to use the Google+ Photos app which was available on previous devices. The photos app does offer editing as well but many believe it to be inferior to the Gallery app. For example, Gallery lets you create mirror images of pictures, straighten photos, rotate them and crop them. Google+ Photo’s only offers the options to crop and rotate images. Google haven’t confirmed that the Gallery app has gone for good.
Why would Google install a better app and get rid of it a couple of months down the line? Could there be a susbstantial update coming to the Google+ Photos app? If there is it’s likely to use everything Google learned from the Gallery app and apply the social elements from the Photos app. Only time will tell.
Nestle ensure competition winners receive Nexus 7 2013
As reported earlier this week, Nestle’s Nexus 7 competition backfired in India as winners received the older version of the tablet. Nestle ran a competition to promote Android 4.4 KitKat in partnership with Google in which 1000 winners around the world would receive a Nexus 7 2013.
Throughout the campaign an image of the Nexus 7 2013 was used for promotion, so a number of winners in India complained as they received 2012's Nexus 7. Nestle has now apologised and promised to supply all winners with the 2013 edition. Nestle took to Kit Kat’s Facebook page to say this,
"We are delighted to announce that winners of ‘Android Kit Kat promotion’ will receive the new 2013 Nexus 7 tablet. If you have received an earlier version of the device, we will contact you separately to get it replaced. The delivery schedule for the new dispatches as well as the procedure to be followed for replacement will be communicated shortly."
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