Samsung Has Disabled Its Benchmark-Boosting In Android 4.4 Updates To S4 And Note 3

Months after the Galaxy S4 was released last year, allegations began surfacing from Anandtech that Samsung was essentially “gaming” its devices’ CPU and GPU benchmark scores by leaving cores at “full throttle” when such benchmarking applications were launched. This allowed Samsung to achieve marginally higher scores in such tests than its rivals, and gave the Galaxy S4 and Note 3 the appearance of being a little quicker than a typical benchmarking environment would otherwise show them to be.

Benchmark-gate initially made waves in the tech press, but was rather quickly forgotten because, well, they’re benchmarks – who really cares? Was the practice a bit deceptive – scummy, even? Sure. But there are no established rules for benchmarking, and really, if you’re considering buying a phone based on a benchmark score, you probably need to evaluate your priorities.

Still, it was a dumb, dastardly thing to do, particularly considering the only people really paying close attention to benchmarks are rabid fanboys and in-depth technical reviewers like the team over at Anandtech. In short, it was a big PR gaff for an extremely small – practically nonexistent – payoff.

Samsung never really fully accepted responsibility for the practice, or admitted to any outright wrongdoing, but as this story goes to show: actions speak louder than words. The Android 4.4 updates to the Galaxy S4 and Note 3 don’t just bring a healthy dose of KitKat, no no – Samsung’s benchmark shenanigans have been eradicated according to tests conducted by arstechnica and Geekbench.

Geekbench’s data for Galaxy S4 scores by Android version

The results of the testing were pretty conclusive, too; Geekbench scores for both the Note 3 and Galaxy S4 running Android 4.4.2 are significantly lower than those obtained when the devices ran Android 4.3. Geekbench assisted Ars’ investigation by examining not just the scores of individual devices, but rather the full dataset of GS4s and Note 3s Geekbench has accumulated, making the results fairly difficult to dispute.

The conclusion, then, is pretty obvious: Samsung removed the offending code which caused the S4 and Note 3 to behave differently in benchmarking apps. Somehow I doubt they’ll be trying that again anytime soon.

List of Android Phones getting Android 4.4 KitKat Firmware Update

The Android 4.4 KitKat version was recently announced and it is soon to be officially launched by Google when they would be coming up with the next version of Nexus, the Nexus 5 device. But it would always be a guessing game for the users, to see whether the 4.4 update would be coming to their device or not. With most of the high-end devices that were launched recently, one can easily expect that they would be receiving the KitKat update, but for the earlier devices, you will have to wait to see whether the manufacturer is deciding to send the update and whether the device hardware would be able to support it.

For now, keep checking the list below (updated daily) as soon as we get the information from the sources on the devices which are going to get the next big version of Android OS.

Update: Nexus Phones Android 4.4 Update

The Galaxy Nexus won’t get Android 4.4 as quoted by Google, because it has crossed the 18 month window period, while the later devices such as the Nexus 7, Nexus 10 would be getting the Android 4.4 update soon. The Nexus 5 which was launched today, would be coming with the 4.4 out of the box.

Samsung Phones to get Android 4.4 Update

For now, there is an internal Samsung Knox document which was leaked, and which showed a few devices which are going to get the Android 4.4 update, and the document actually showed the devices which would get the Samsung Knox in the coming update. The devices are as follows:

• Samsung Galaxy S4
• Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom
• Samsung Galaxy S4 Active
• Samsung Galaxy Note 3
• Samsung Galaxy Mega (no confirmation whether the 5.8, 6.3 or both)
• Samsung Galaxy S3
• Samsung Galaxy Note II
• Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini
• Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 & Tab 2

The Galaxy S3 and Note II have been facing a few regional lock issues and that is what is prompting Samsung to come up with a major update on these devices, as confirmed by one of the Samsung representatives. But again, the document mentions it is the S3 which has 2GB of RAM, and that is the U.S. version which might be getting the update, and the International users might have to wait and watch if Samsung has made it ready for their devices too or not.

Sony Phones to get Android 4.4 Update

There was a recent leak showing that the Sony Xperia Z1, the latest flagship device from the company, might be getting the Android 4.4 update and this is quite more than just rumors because Sony won’t be ignoring this year’s flagship models while preparing the updates. Here’s a list of devices:

• Sony Xperia Z1
• Sony Xperia Z
• Sony Xperia Z Ultra
• Sony Xperia Tablet Z
• Sony Xperia Tablet S

The Xperia Z1 has still got the Android 4.2 version, and hasn’t got the 4.3 update, but if Sony decides to skip that and goes directly to the 4.4 KitKat version, that should be a good news to the users waiting for an update.

HTC Phones to get Android 4.4 Update

The HTC One Max is to be announced very soon, and that should be anyways getting the update after the launch, but the devices which are expected to get the Android 4.4 KitKat update after its launch, includes HTC One.

• HTC One
• HTC One X+
• HTC One X
• New Desire series phones launched in 2013
• HTC Droid DNA
• HTC J
• HTC Butterfly

LG Phones to get Android 4.4 Update

We did hear that the LG Optimus G Pro might be receiving the update a little later, but the LG G2, latest flagship smartphone from the company is sure to get the KitKat version of Android very soon after the launch.

• LG G2
• LG Nexus 4
• LG Optimus L7, L5, L3
• LG Optimus G
• LG Optimus G Pro
• LG Optimus VU

This is just the initial list, which is subject to change anytime once we keep seeing some actual confirmation or leak from the sources. We would try to keep updating this page every time there’s some news flowing around.

Note: Do comment which Android phone you own, and we will be letting you know whether the KitKat update would be coming to that device or not.

KitKat pokes fun of Apple’s design prowess

You’ve likely learned by now about this morning’s surprise Google announcement, clearly conceived as a novel way of busting up Apple’s news and diverting attention from the brightening of your day.

I’m talking about the upcoming Android version 4.4, code-named KitKat after the famous chocolate-covered wafer biscuit which has apparently “been a favorite candy” on the Android team.

The though process behind the delicious partnership has now unravelled itself in a cringeworthy KitKat clip.

Not only does it spoof Apple’s elaborate product videos, it does so by ridiculing the way Jony Ive and his industrial design team go about agonizing over the minutiae. Wait, a confectionery maker is parodying Apple’s presentation mojo? What has this world come to?

The video, available on KitKat’s YouTube channel resembles the overall style and shininess of Apple’s promotional clips.

“Every corner, every edge, every finger of every bar has been carefully considered and crafted to create a beautifully immersive and multi-sensory experience,” the video says in an attempt to derail Apple’s design process.

Meet Chris Catlin, KitKat’s Chief Breaks Officer.

My favorite line: “And it really does taste as good as it looks”.

I also happen to like their take on Apple’s ‘there’s an app for that’ campaign.

I think it’s funny, though die-hard fans may find it the dumbest thing they’ve seen in a while. At any rate, it’s a novel PR ploy, you have to give them that – Google and Android are in the headlines today.

Don’t forget that KitKat is hugely popular so you’ll soon start seeing that Android-themed product packaging cropping up at your nearest department store.

According to a media release by KitKat’s parent Nestlé, they will distribute more than 50 million specially branded KitKat bars in nineteen countries, including Australia, Brazil, Germany, India, Japan, Dubai, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

A small number of Android robot-shaped KitKat bars will be offered as prizes (below).

I’m expecting some innovative television advertising around this cross-promotion.

The tie-up is such that neither party paid each other, BBC News has learned. Nestlé isn’t exactly stranger to digital marketing: earlier in the year, the company bought its first-ever piece of online content property, the U.S. website Petfinder which helps prospective adopters with adoptable pets.

Expect more KitKat cross-promotion as Android 4.4 gets closer to prime time.

For now, there’s now a link at the bottom of Google’s Android 4.4 web page which takes you to the official KitKat homepage where they’re currently running a promotion for the chance to win a free Nexus 7 2013 or Google Play Store credit.

For those wondering, here are Google’s sweet Android code-names:

• Android 1.5, Cupcake
• Android 1.6, Donut
• Android 2.0, Eclair
• Android 2.2, Froyo
• Android 2.3, Gingerbread
• Android 3.0, Honeycomb
• Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich
• Android 4.1, Jelly Bean
• Android 4.4, KitKat

About that promo: was it funny or did it come across as crossing the line?

Google announces Android 4.4 KitKat!

Whoa, it’s indeed been a crazy news day. First we learned that Microsoft is buying Nokia’s devices division for north of $7 billion, then Apple came official with its iPhone event and now – just minutes after Apple’s September 10 keynote confirmation – came word straight from the Internet giant Google that the next version of Android is going to be called KitKat.

Way to go to steal Apple’s thunder, Google! I’m not kidding: the KitKat Google+ page just went live making the code-name official.

On top of this, the brown chocolate-like statue has joined the crew outside Google’s Mountain View, California headquarters. Plus, the Android 4.4 web page is now live, too. Is the use of the KitKat name meant to suggest Google will now “take a break” from innovation? Go past the fold for the full reveal…

Android’s recently-minted head Sundar Pichai made the Android 4.4 announcement on Twitter, also boasting that Google has activated one billion Android devices to date.

The promo graphics for the new version lays out the company’s goal with Android 4.4 KitKat: to make “an amazing Android experience available for everybody”.

I’ve consulted resident Google kremlinologists who’ve deciphered this as a sign of Android 4.4 perhaps being optimized for lower-cost phones that are currently fueling tremendous growth in the emerging markets, where Android rules the landscape.

The official Android web page offers the explanation of Google’s naming scheme:

Android is the operating system that powers over 1 billion smartphones and tablets. Since these devices make our lives so sweet, each Android version is named after a dessert: Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich, and Jelly Bean.

As everybody finds it difficult to stay away from chocolate we decided to name the next version of Android after one of our favorite chocolate treats, Kitkat®!

Sweet!

Pinchai’s Google+ post notes that the bar is “one of our team’s favorites”. Does that mean Google paid a sum to Nestlé for the rights to use the KitKat name in association with its mobile operating system?

I’d reckon they cut a deal – otherwise this would file as a trademark infringement – with The Hershey Company which makes the famous wafer biscuit bar in the United States under license.

Android’s Google+ post throws light on the matter:

KitKat has been a favorite candy on the team for some time, so for the KitKat release, we asked if they’d be willing to lend their iconic candy bar to its name.

Note that Android 4.4 is named KitKat while the chocolate bar’s name is spelled out as Kit Kat. Anyways, Google stopped short of providing more details about Android 4.4′s availability, but you can sign up for email alerts when they launch the release.

Jokers as they are, Google even put in the ‘Learn More About KitKat’ link which leads straight to the chocolate maker’s mini web-site where they host a promotion with the chance to win a free Nexus 7 2013 or Google Play Store credit.

BBC News has the full story of how the tie-up happened. Apparently neither party paid each other for such un unusual yet admittedly mutually beneficial cross-promotion.

Oh, and Amazon has announced a new Kindle Paperwhite, shipping in October.

Not bad for a Tuesday, huh?

So, what’s your preference: a KitKat or those nice colors?