Updated on 06-26-2014 by Andy Boxall: Android 4.4.2 hits AT&T connected Samsung Galaxy Note 2 devices, complete with an extensive list of changes.
Android 4.4.3 updates now available
Google has already started sending out an Android 4.4.3 update to the Nexus 5, and it has now been joined by Motorola, which has confirmed its newest hardware will also benefit from the latest OS version. An official blog post on the matter lists the T-Mobile Moto X, all Moto G phones purchased in the U.S. and in Brazil, plus the Moto E, all of which will see the update from June 3. In addition to a few minor alterations to the dialer, and the usual stability, performance, and security fixes, the phones will also get the following:
Improved camera image quality on the Moto X's front and rear cameras.
A pause mode while shooting video on the Moto X and the Moto G
A live update message system for Motorola Alert on the Moto X and Moto G.
Reports are also gathering that Android 4.4.3 is arriving on Google Play Edition phones. The HTC One, the HTC One M8, the Galaxy S4, and the Sony Xperia Z Ultra have all been shown running the update, which started to show up from June 3.
AT&T adds 4.4.2 to the Galaxy Note 2
Initially, Samsung kept quiet about its plans for 4.4 KitKat, having announced update schedules in the past, then been burned by missing self-imposed deadlines. Following early international tests of the new OS – specifically Galaxy Note 3 owners in Poland during January, and Korean Galaxy S4 phones in February – Samsung soon started sending out its Android 4.4 KitKat updates in America.
AT&T confirmed Galaxy Note 3 devices connected to its networks will be receiving Android 4.4 KitKat from March 27. In a short blog post, the network provides an overview of the new features. KitKat will add the new-look user interface, the option to use Hangouts as the SMS app, wireless printing, better GPS performance, and enhanced audio controls. Additionally, the update will add music controls to the lock screen, and a quick access camera button too.
Previous reports showed international Galaxy Note 2 devices had already started to receive an update to Android 4.4.2, but now AT&T has added its own hardware to the list. Features were expected to be in-line with the Galaxy Note 3, and sure enough, a post on AT&T's website shows a similar list of alterations. Joining Android 4.4.2 is a new lock screen system with a camera shortcut and media controls, improved NFC security, restyled notifications and status bars, a pre-installed Beats Music app, and wireless printing support. You can see the complete list here, and the software should start its journey to your phone from June 25.
On February 13 2014, Sprint officially confirmed the arrival of Android 4.4 for the Galaxy S4, posting on its support webpage the new software was being released in stages, and a system prompt would appear once it was ready to download. It warned this may not show up for several days.
A week later, Samsung sent out a press release confirming 4.4 KitKat will soon be available for the following devices across all U.S. networks. These are the Galaxy Note 3 and the Galaxy Note 2, the Galaxy S4, S4 Mini, S4 Active and S4 Zoom, plus the Galaxy S3 and S3 Mini. The Galaxy Mega and Galaxy Light are also listed. Moving on to tablets, the Galaxy Note 8.0, Galaxy Tab 3, Galaxy Note 10.1, and finally, the Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition will all be updated to version 4.4. Samsung says all carrier variants will get the update. The rollout began on February 18 and will continue for several months.
In addition, AT&T began to roll out Android 4.4.2 KitKat updates to Galaxy S4 Active owners last week. However, the carrier stopped delivering the over-the-air update, saying it is working with Samsung to bring some "potential improvements" to the update. There's speculation that some bugs in the firmware update reared their ugly heads, one of them being Wi-Fi connectivity issues. There's no indication as to when AT&T Galaxy S4 Active owners will be able to update to KitKat.
Reports gathered on April 21 that Korean Galaxy Note 3 Neo devices were being updated to Android 4.4, either over-the-air or through Samsung's Kies software. Additionally, the same update for the Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition tablet has also been spotted, although in some smaller international markets. Both these point to a wider release in the near future.
Sure enough, a few days later, Verizon confirmed the Android 4.4 KitKat update was ready for the Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition tablet. In addition to the latest version of the OS, the Note 10.1 also gains a full-screen viewing mode, a multi-user option, and faster multi-tasking. Several bugs have been fixed, and some performance enhancements have been made to S-Note. Verizon says the update is being pushed out in phases from around April 28.
Verizon also made available Android 4.4.2 KitKat for the Galaxy Note 3. Owners of the handset can download the update through Samsung Kies or the Verizon Software Assistant, with the update not yet available over-the-air. Positive news for owners of slightly older Galaxy smartphones continued at the beginning of May, when Sprint announced it had an Android 4.4 update for the Galaxy S3 ready to be distributed. The support page doesn't provide any detail, saying only that it would be released on May 1.
However, for the international variant of the Galaxy S3 and S3 Mini 3G, they wont be so lucky. In a statement sent to ZDNet, Samsung confirmed that KitKat will not make its way to the two handsets. Samsung blames the handsets' hardware limitations, with both devices having 1GB of RAM. KitKat was released for the Galaxy S3, but only for variants with 2GB of RAM.
As for the Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Edition, a post on the official Android Google+ page confirmed the new version was sent out on November 26 2013.
A report published by SamMobile.com says Samsung is already working to integrate Android 4.4.3 into its phones. We shouldn't expect many major changes to the way the OS looks, but welcome bug fixes and performance improvements instead. Most major Samsung devices, from the Galaxy S3, S4, and S5 to the Note 2, Note 3 and the Galaxy Mega range should get the new software. If the software is being prepared, then it won't be released until Google has made the final code official, but any devices still waiting for an earlier build of Android 4.4, may end up getting 4.4.3 instead.
Sony to update modern Xperia hardware
Sony first talked about its plans for Android 4.4 in November last year, and while it was all good news, the wait for any further information has been a long one. Finally, on March 19 2014, Sony published a blog post saying the update for the Xperia Z1, Xperia Z Ultra, and the Xperia Z1 Compact is ready to go.
Sony will add Android 4.4 KitKat to these phones, along with a few new features of its own. These include a new Status Bar and Quick Settings menu, a PS4-style UI with new live wallpaper, plus a wide selection of improvements spread across Sony's stock apps. No exact timeline is given, and the usual warning that these things vary by country and carrier is clearly stated, but it should be on its way soon.
Now its most recent phones have been updated, Sony has turned its attention to the Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia ZR, and the Xperia Tablet Z. According to a blog post, the Android 4.4 KitKat update for these devices is complete, and will be sent out to selected markets from May 21, with a wider release coming in the next few weeks. All the enhancements listed for the Xperia Z1 are included, along with new versions of Sony's Social Camera and Battery Stamina Mode apps, plus compatibility with the Smartband and Lifelog app.
Finally, the Xperia T2 Ultra, Xperia E1, and the Xperia M2 – including the dual-SIM variants – have all been added to Sony's list for a future Android 4.4 update, which is now expected sometime in July.
LG sends out KitKat to the G Flex
LG already officially announced the G Flex update for Korea, and has now confirmed its arrival in America. In an April 29 press release, LG stated that G Flex phones on AT&T should already be receiving their update, while Sprint phones will start seeing it over the coming week. Those with their flexible phone connected to T-Mobile will have to wait a little longer, but Android 4.4 should arrive around mid-May. Included in the update is LG's new Knock Code feature, along with an overall performance upgrade, and tweaks to the way the phone uses battery power, which should result in longer periods between charges.
As LG is responsible for the Nexus 5, we'd been expecting to hear something official about Android 4.4 KitKat for the LG G2 quite quickly, but we were forced to be patient. On December 15 2013 we got our first piece of official news. LG published a short press release on its blog, saying the Android 4.4 KitKat update for the G2 was, "In progress," in Korea.
T-Mobile USA became the first network to offer an update to Android 4.4 KitKat for the LG G2, confirming on its official update page the rollout would begin on March 3. Owners should expect to find all the KitKat improvements, along with an auto-brightness option, and general user experience improvements.
Sprint also confirmed it has started sending out Android 4.4 KitKat for the LG G2 on March 31. The update contains the new software version, plus a bug fix for Next Radio. The network warns it's a staggered release, and not all phones will receive notification of the new software at the same time.
At the beginning of April, LG pushed another two Android 4.4 KitKat updates live in Korea, this time for the G Pad tablet, and the Vu 3 smartphone/tablet hybrid. Rumors have also emerged LG is working on Android 4.4 for the Optimus G, its 2012 flagship Android phone. The news comes from the same French network where the mostly accurate reports of the first LG software updates originated.
According to a post made to LG's Italian Facebook page, the company is just about ready to release Android 4.4 KitKat for the Optimus L9 2, and the Optimus G Pro Lite, two of its smartphone range from 2013. There's also some more news regarding the Optimus G update, which is apparently now scheduled for between July and September, meaning owners of the original G must continue to have patience.
HTC updates continue with the Verizon HTC One Max
HTC talked about getting Android 4.4 on its devices almost immediately after the software was announced.
A tweet sent though the HTC USA Twitter account on November 13 2013 confirmed the update for the Google Play edition of the HTC One was with Google, and that it was responsible for pushing the update. A Google+ post from the official Android account ten days later confirmed the update was being sent out.
Subsequently, HTC also said Android 4.4 would be out for the Developer Edition and SIM-free HTC One before the end of November. It was right on the money too, as on November 29 it sent out another message saying Android 4.4 KitKat was out for unlocked One phones and the HTC One Developer Edition.
The official HTC USA Twitter account has informed us that HTC One smartphones connected to Sprint will be the first to receive an update to Android 4.4 KitKat. The new version began finding its way to Sprint devices on February 1 2014. Additionally, HTC confirmed Android 4.4 had reached the final "certification" stage with AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.
On February 6, HTC announced the Verizon update was ready to go, and added Sense 5.5 would also be included. Verizon followed this up with documentation detailing all the alterations. Android 4.4.2 and Sense 5.5 will add a new lock screen process, a redesigned music and gallery app, revised and more detailed location services, plus a Do Not Disturb mode. At the moment, the update is only for the HTC One, but the HTC One Max is set to follow soon. Also, Verizon is investigating an Android 4.4 update for the Droid DNA along with the Virgin Mobile Desire 601.
It has taken more than a month, but HTC has finally got the Android update for the Droid DNA ready to go. Announced by the company's executive product manager on Twitter, Android 4.4.2 accompanied by Sense 5.5 will start making its way to the phone on April 24. As always with these updates, it may not reach your phone on the first day, but sit tight, it'll get there eventually.
Verizon announced on April 8 the HTC One Max was the next in-line for an Android 4.4 KitKat update. All the usual KitKat treats are included, along with a variety of other improvements and bug fixes. Verizon's official documentation talks about a "master switch" and three new profiles for location settings, along with a battery usage indicator for each app using them. Other changes include the notification light now indicating missed calls, emails and pending messages.
In November 2013, HTC UK announced plans to have Android 4.4 and HTC Sense 5.5 for the One smartphone ready for the end of January 2014. In mid-January, it reiterated the point, saying it was working with local networks to make this happen. However, a short time after the update began, HTC halted the rollout on March 3, after some users complained of rapid battery drain following installation of the new software. On March 18, reports gathered that HTC had restarted the update process. A tweaked version of Android 4.4.2 was being sent out to UK and European HTC One phones, with a fix for an unspecified Wi-Fi issue.
Motorola Moto X and Moto G top of its list.
Motorola confirmed the Moto X would be getting Android 4.4 via its website dedicated to software updates. The first Moto X's to get a taste were those connected to Verizon, and Motorola started a staggered rollout on November 19 2013.
On February 19 2014, Motorola added Moto X smartphones connected to US Cellular to the list. According to the official update page, Android 4.4.2, along with some bug fixes, has been approved for release and should be with owners soon.
Motorola has confirmed Moto X phones connected to AT&T should expect a 4.4.2 KitKat update very soon. The new software promises to fix a few software bugs, including those which may have affected battery life, and one which could have caused problems with international roaming. The main new feature is support for photo printing via Google Cloud Print and HP ePrinters.
Verizon's Droid phones aren't being left out. In December 2013, via a tweet, the network announced it had started updating the Droid Ultra, Droid Mini, and Droid Maxx to Android 4.4 KitKat. It said the new version would be delivered in stages. You can find a few details on the update here.
Meanwhile, Verizon updated the support documents for both the Motorola Droid Razr HD and Razr M with new information about the updates and changes Android 4.4.2 KitKat will bring. The soak test for both devices has finished, so it seems as if the update will go live soon. Some users have reported the update is live via OTA, with David Schuster of Motorola saying the update should be available to all Razr HD users by week's end.
Motorola confirmed in a blog post that U.S. versions of the Moto G would receive Android 4.4 updates from December 19 2013, and not early 2014 as originally promised. It said phones purchased through Amazon and Motorola would be first, while Moto G phones bought from networks will follow soon. In the UK, a post on Motorola's customer support page listed the improvements Android 4.4 KitKat would bring to the Moto G, and confirmed the update was being sent out.
Google, its Nexus hardware, and Glass
Android 4.4 KitKat slightly deviated from the tradition of previous versions, which all debuted on Nexus hardware.
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