Following Motorola's Moto X, Android 4.4 KitKat update is now available for Google Play Edition of the HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4.
The search engine giant announced the news via its official Android Google+ page, "Starting today, Samsung GS4 and HTC One Google Play edition devices are getting an update to Android 4.4!"
According to Android Authority, users on XDA-developers reported receiving the KitKat update for the HTC One Google Play edition yesterday. The update brings the software version to Android 4.4 KRT16S, and includes the fixes that Google applied last week to quash bugs pertaining to radio connectivity and encryption.
For regular HTC one users, the 4.4 update should be available in January.
As for Galaxy Note 3 and Note 2, a leaked document suggests that the Galaxy Note 3 will update to Android 4.4 in January while the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 will update to Android 4.4 between March and April. However, Samsung has kept silent regarding the updates.
Android 4.4 KitKat's new features include a new launcher, a new dialer that incorporates search, Hangouts with consolidated text, video and MMS, new HDR+ software for cameras and deep app linking for Google search.
The update started to roll out Wednesday is a 300MB over-the-air download. Like the Android 4.4 update for Motorola's Moto X, the HTC One and Galaxy S4 Google Play edition version of KitKat doesn't feature the Nexus 5's "Google Experience Launcher". The Google Experience launcher adds additional features like a Google Now page to the home screen, which allows you to search through an "OK Google" and has options for customizing your operating system.
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'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.
Download Links:
Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition OTA link for Android 4.4 Update