We’ve already known that the next version of Android will be called 4.4 KitKat for more than a month now, but what we didn’t hear about were the features and the glitters that the update was gonna pack. Coming alongside the new Google Nexus 5, here is a rundown of things to look forward to in Android 4.4 KitKat.
- Visual changes – While it’s not as big of a redesign compared to iOS 7, Android 4.4 KitKat updates a lot of its UI elements. Translucency is now more evident from search & notification bars to the app drawer. Also, Google has updates a lot of its app guidelines to shift away from the previous Holo UI and into the cleaner Cards UI.
- Dialer – The new & redesigned dialer app also integrates search into its functions. Not only does it suggest your contacts, but it also gives you numbers of places nearby, e.g. a pizza joint. Also, when someone you don’t know makes a call, Google quickly searches for any local numbers to give you a caller ID.
- Faster & smoother! – KitKat aims to improve optimization and responsiveness among the lower powered Android devices. Sadly, Google chose to not update the Galaxy Nexus & older Nexus devices to show it as an example, but nonetheless we’re expecting future low-end smartphones to run smoother than before.
- New Storage Access Framework – From cloud storage to local storage, Google will be providing a better way to manage your files.
- Hangouts & other app updates – The Messaging app is getting dropped on KitKat and Hangouts swoops in to integrate SMS functionality for it. Other updates include Emoji, which is coming to the stock keyboard, and the Downloads app which is getting a better interface as well.
- “OK Google” – So far only available to the Nexus 5, this new feature will allow users to access Google now even from the homescreen itself just by saying “Ok Google”. No need for any button presses or whatsoever anymore.
There are a lot more than that coming in the next version of Android. Other features include Immersion Mode, Screen Recording & Wireless Printing. It also opens a lot of possibilities & dev improvements just as usual, from IR Blasters & sensors to NFC payments. For a full list of features, you can go over Android’s KitKat page here.
The update looks neat we have to say, but we’ll have to experience it for ourselves to see if it actually delivers. The update is said to be ‘coming soon’ on Nexus devices, so once it arrives on our devices, we’ll be providing more coverage so stay tuned!
when are they going to release the version for other nexus devices? waaaahhhhhhh
Akala ko kung anong pasabog ng Kitkat, yan lang pala. Boring. *YAWN*
Cool ka lang….Have a break, have a KITKAT!
Akala ko kung anong comment ni Lemeul, yan lang pala. Boring. *YAWN*
Okay to sa mga low end devices. Finally, ma experience din ng iba yung latest version ng Android.
We’ll have to wait for a while before low-end devices integrates with KitKat 4.4, baka mid next year pa.
4.2 pa nga lang yung mga low end ngayon.
I’ve read that Cyanogen Mod will work on 4.4 for GNEX users. I guess Google excluded the galaxy nexus because of the outdated Texas instruments chips.
Harsh words to SAMSUNG from GOOGLE.
“Samsung is very much at odds with Google,” Bajarin said.
“Samsung is only going to continue to win if they control their own destiny,” he continued. “If they have to rely on Google their future is limited.”
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/11/01/13/look-googles-nexus-5-smartphone
HAHA BUTI NLANG LOPTOP Pinabili ko!!! hindi Cellphone! Hintayin ko yung Pag Release neto! xDD
anong gadget ba yang LOPTOP na yan
baka LOPTAP???
Baka lapdance.
Churi naman.. Tao lng… FLATTOP pla..
Langya kayo ito na yung tama… LAPTAP.. para matahimik na kayo
Anak, dba tinuruan kita noong isang araw ng spelling ng LAPTOP? wag ka maniwala sa ibang tao dito. hindi nla alam ang toong spelling. sa akin ka maniwala, because I am your father. trust me
tama na nga yan..
have a break.. have a kiat kiat..
:-)
WAHAHAHA! DUROG!
Di ba may “OK Google” na feature na din yung Moto X?
oo meron, mas ok yung sa moto X kasi kahit sleep yung unit Gagana, yung sa kitkat hinde! dapat nasa desktop ka, pukaw na
“The Messaging app is getting dropped on KitKat and Hangouts swoops in to integrate SMS functionality for it.”
Hurrah for more privacy intrusion!
Hurray for more privacy intrusion ka dyan. Feeling ka masyado. Sino Ka ba at Ano ba meron sa buhay mo na tingin mo pagkakainteresan ka ng Google?
Go ahead and be a sheep, then. No one’s stopping you.
Anihin mo nalang yang kamote sa kili kili mo.
Ladies and Gentlemen, look at this fine person. Instead of discussing the topic at hand, he/she resorts to calling names that is on the same level as children on the streets, or students playing dota or counter strike that is on the losing team. *Clap* *Clap* *Clap*
Asar-talo at barado pala itong pseudo-intelectual na ito eh. Wagas ka pa kung gumamit wikang banyaga. Isa ka ring namang gumagamit ng Ad Hominem kapag nangatuwiran ka. Idinamay mo pa ang mga batang naglalaro sa mga lansangan ngayon. Maaring sa panahon ngayon mahirap ng gawin iyon ng isang anak ng maykaya sa buhay. Ngunit noong dekada 90, makakapaglaro sa labas ng bahay ang mga bata ano man ang kanilang antas ng pamumuhay. Marahil hindi ka masaya noong kabataan mo dahil hindi ka pinayagan maglaro ng taguan o patintero ng mga magulang mo. Ipinagtiyagaan mo na lang paglaruan ng mag-isa ang mga mamahalin mong mga laruan. Noong nagsawa ka, yung sandata mo naman ang ilinaro mo. Hindi ka rin naman nasiyahan dahil limang segundo lang ang itinagal nito. Pare, masyado kang mayabang. Wala namang mawawala sa iyo kung pagsikapan mong matutunan ang magpakumbaba. Simulan mo na ngayon at huwag mo nang sagutin ang banat na ito dahil kukuyugin ka lang dito.
OK lang naman kung GOOGLE ang kumolekta ng kung ano mang impormasyon meron ka, no big deal tbh….huwag lang mga kawatan.
Abuzalzal, that’s because you voluntarily signed up for Google Services and you agree to the terms and privacy policy that comes with these services. Identity thieves steal your personal information regardless.
Waiting for Android kitkat source released for new ROMs.