Android 4.4 KitKat is officially here alongside the Google Nexus 5. Currently, it is only available to the Nexus 5, but we will see updates landing other Google branded devices including the Nexus 4, Nexus 7(both editions) and Nexus 10 soon.
"Android 4.4, KitKat, which comes on Nexus 5, will also soon be available on Nexus 4, 7, 10, the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One Google Play edition devices in the coming weeks," Google's senior vice president Sundar Pichai writes on the official Google blog.
Jason Mackenzie, president of HTC America, told Engadget that the company is going to aggressively push out the latest version of Android to the HTC One. "The Google Play edition will be updated within the next 15 days, the Developer edition and unlocked versions will get it within 30 days, and the remaining SKUs in North America (including all carrier variants) will have it in 90 days or less."
Currently, Samsung devices are in the middle of updating to Android 4.3. Many devices including the Galaxy S4 and S3 are gaining updates to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, meaning they gain Galaxy Gear support too.
Google has launched an Android Quick Start Guide for Android 4.4 KitKat, which is available for free download on its Google Play store.
Google has further optimized memory inside Android 4.4 -- it can now run on just 512MB of RAM -- and touchscreen response is better, too. One of the biggest features in Android 4.4 is the new Google Now integrated launcher. Google Now is always present on the far left screen of your Nexus 5. That's because the new launcher on the Nexus 5 is the Google Search app. Everything you need in a launcher has been moved to the search app on the Nexus 5 - the search app available to all Android devices. Eventually, this will be a great way for Google to completely take over your device.
Google's latest mobile operating system also features an advanced photo-editing suite that Google has optimised for use on both smartphones and tablets. Applications and games can now use the entirety of the display with 4.4, meaning no more notifications bar and no more battery icon.
