Sony announces Android 4.4 KitKat update schedule

Big news, Sony fans! Sony has just announced the availability of the Android 4.4 KitKat update for the Xperia Z Ultra, Xperia Z1 and Xperia Z1 Compact. The new firmware rollout starts right now for all three smartphones, but the process is gradual so it might take some time before the update notification pops up on your phone.Here is the official change log:

• Google’s Android 4.4; KitKat as standard – bringing performance & UI optimisation… We’ve added our tweaked Status Bar and Quick Settings… now more intuitive and customisable (and pretty easy on the eye)… cleaned up to ensure you only get the notifications you really need
• If you’ve got a Sony PlayStation 4, you might recognize our new user interface – we’ve added the same sleek launch animation and livewallpaper across the lock and home screens
• We’re also uplifting Sony’s entire native app portfolio to the latest versions – bringing tweaked / improved / current experiences for (to name but a few): Messaging, MyXperia, Smart Connect, Small apps, TrackID, TrackID TV, Sony Select, Smart Social Camera and…
• Sony’s Media apps: WALKMAN, Album and Movies, with Sony Entertainment Network cloud service integration – a more converged and full Sony entertainment experience – Sony Entertainment Network & PlayMemories integration with a more intuitive UI, better download speeds, and more!
• Our unique custom interface experience: “Xperia Themes”, with downloadable UI packs from Sony Select – skin up to 280 assets across your Xperia smartphone with a variety of styles, and more to follow soon…

But wait, there is more good news! Android 4.4 KitKat is already in development for the Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia ZR and Xperia Tablet Z and it will become available for those devices in May or June this year.

Sony has also confirmed that the newly announced Xperia T2 Ultra, Xperia E1 and Xperia M2 will get the KitKat treatment as well, but the availability will be detailed later.

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.

Google Nexus 5 shown-off completely in seven minute video!

A seven minute video shows the Nexus 5 in the clearest form yet, adding validity to past leaks and sightings. The unit shown in the video shot on 9 October looks like a prototype, tipped by the missing Nexus branding on the back and reference to “Key Lime Pie” in the software instead of Android 4.4 KitKat.

Still, the video gives a full overview of the hardware. We see the 4.95-inch IPS display rocking to its full extent, large camera on the back, and dual speakers found on the bottom. There aren’t too many surprises.

The software running on the handset in the video doesn’t show us any of the new features we saw tipped for Android 4.4 KitKat earlier in the week. Pictures showed the unlock screen, a home screen and the apps of KitKat. The Tap to Pay mode in the settings suggested a more overt push for NFC connectivity, while the top bar is no longer black as on other iterations of raw Android, nor is the on-screen button section of the phone.

One leakster earlier this month provided hands-on impressions of the Nexus 5. He noted it feels like the Nexus 7, which was one of our first impressions when we saw the Nexus 5 for the first time. Additionally, the display on the Nexus 5 is just “Ok” – he noted – and doesn’t feel as high in quality as the Galaxy Note 3. This is something we can sort-of feel from the Saturday’s video.

The video shows a snappy Nexus 5, and leaked specifications tell us why. According to a leaked manual, we’ll find a 4.95-inch 1080p IPS display, 16/32GB of internal storage, 2GB of RAM, 2.3GHz Snapdragon 800 processor, 8MP OIS rear camera, 1.3MP front camera, 2300mAh battery, and wireless charging. There are the normal sensors like accelerometer and compass, but there’s also a pressure sensor, too.

Rumours over the past month have indicated a 15 October announcement for the Nexus 5 and Android 4.4 KitKat. That leaves Tuesday of next week, and you bet we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled. In the mean time hopefully the leaked video keeps you occupied.

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?