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Nexus 4 Android 4.4 KitKat Update Release: What You Need to Know

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In October, Google announced that it would be delivering Android 4.4 KitKat updates to its Nexus devices including the Nexus 7, Nexus 10 and the Nexus 4. Yesterday, the company started rolling out the Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 to its users but it also delivered some details for those with the Nexus 4. Here, with those roll outs and Google’s update in mind, we take a look at what Nexus 4 owners should expect from the Android 4.4 KitKat release date.

Last month, Google finally took the curtain down from around its Nexus 5 and Android 4.4 KitKat update, confirming their features and their arrivals. The device, which went on sale just a few short days ago, brought Android 4.4 KitKat along with it, making it the first device to feature Android 4.4 KitKat and its incremental features.

Nexus-4-575x465

Of course, the Nexus 5 won’t be the only Nexus device with Android 4.4 KitKat. No, Google also announced that several other Nexus devices would be getting the update in the near future. The Nexus 7, Nexus 10 and the Nexus 4, it said, would be getting the software at some point down the road, a road that ended yesterday for the Nexus 7 and Nexus 10.

Google subtly announced that the Nexus 7 2012, Nexus 7 2013 and Nexus 10, the Wi-Fi only versions, would start getting the Android 4.4 KitKat update. The roll outs have begun and we expect the software to take a few days before it rolls out to every Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 owner around the globe. Google also delivered some details for other devices.

The company said that it will be rolling out Android 4.4 KitKat for the cellular variants of the Nexus 7 in due time and it also said that the Nexus 4, Google’s previous flagship smartphone, would be getting the Android 4.4 KitKat update soon.

With that new information in mind, it’s time to take a new, updated look at what Nexus 4 owners should expect from the upcoming Android 4.4 KitKat update roll out.

It Will Roll Out Soon

Last night, Google announced that the Nexus 4 Android 4.4 KitKat update would be rolling out soon. It did not specify a release date which leaves the update in limbo at the moment. At this point, users shouldn’t expect the release to be far off in the distance.

The Nexus 4 arrived in November of last year.

The Nexus 4 arrived in November of last year.

First, we were surprised that the software didn’t roll out alongside the Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 updates. That was a bit unusual as updates typically roll out together. Perhaps Google just needed a little extra time to ensure a smooth transition. In addition, Google didn’t necessarily need to tell Nexus 4 owners that the update would be coming soon, but it did anyway and that leads us to believe that something is indeed very close to emerging from the shadows.

Google very rarely fails to deliver when it uses the word ‘soon’ so we expect the Nexus 4 KitKat update to actually be right around the corner. We’d be shocked if it didn’t land by the end of this week and be floored if it didn’t roll out by the end of the next week. Expect it soon.

Keep an Eye on @Android

Prior to the release of the Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 Android 4.4 KitKat updates, we weren’t exactly sure how Google would announce the roll outs for its Nexus devices. In the past, we’ve seen the updates emerge rather quietly without any pomp. That’s sort of, kind of what happened here with the Nexus 7 and Nexus 10.

Instead of a huge announcement, Google instead took to its @Android account on Twitter to make the announcement. There is no guarantee that it will announce the Nexus 4 Android 4.4 KitKat update’s arrival on that Twitter account but there is a very good chance that it will. So, those who are on Twitter, who own a Nexus 4, would be wise to keep an eye on this account.

It rarely spits out information but in this case, it could be crucial as far as the Nexus 4 Android 4.4 KitKat roll out is concerned.

It Will Roll Out In Waves

As predicted, the Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 Android 4.4 KitKat roll outs are moving out Over-the-Air in waves. What does this mean? It’s simple. It means that the software updates will continue to push out for several days until the last Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 devices are upgraded with Android 4.4 KitKat.

Nexus 4 vs Nexus 5 design.

Users should expect the same type of random, roll out process with the Nexus 4 update. This means that while some users will see the Nexus 4 Android 4.4 KitKat update arrive on the day that it’s announced, others will be waiting up to a week or more for the software to arrive. Of course, as we’ve seen with today’s updates, there are ways to download and install the software early.

We don’t recommend the manual installation method for novice Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 owners but those who have experience installing software manually should have no problem getting things to work through adb sideload.

Random Roll Out Time

Yesterday’s announcement came at around 6PM PST, very late in the day, and much later than many people anticipated. Google, in the past, has rolled out software updates at night and in the morning, so at this point, it’s impossible to nail down a time frame for the Nexus 4 Android 4.4 KitKat update. Assume that it will roll out at a random hour of the day, but during one where people on the west coast of the United States are awake.

13 Comments

13 Comments

  1. ROZm

    11/13/2013 at 2:23 pm

    its too too bad the technology media hasnt fully reviewed the google nexus 7.2 and its horrible problems, including not booting, automatic rebooting, gps problems, not able to turn it off, having to reset settings over and over again. got mine on the last wed in july, i think. sunday problems…on phone for 4 hours with google & asus. fixed, supposedly, same problem wed. then again friday….when i returned it. google NEVER made an announcement of problems or fixes. we’ll see what happens with kit-kat. i am so FRUSTRATED & DISAPPOINTED WITH GOOGLE FOR PUTTING OUT Such a faulty product. must i go to apple to get what i need?

    • PURP

      11/13/2013 at 4:17 pm

      Apple pole jocker

  2. Gene

    11/13/2013 at 3:16 pm

    How do I block it? I don’t want the “OK google” crap, nor do I want the SMS app.

    • ricegf

      11/13/2013 at 3:51 pm

      In Android Play store, select Menu (the 3 dots in the upper right), select Settings, and turn off Auto-Update.

      If you really want to control your own device, rather than letting Google handle the details for you (which is safer and far more convenient), you might google “cyanogenmod”. But remember – if you fail to keep your system up to date with security patches, you could be road kill. With great power comes great responsibility – or so I hear. ;-)

  3. Scott

    11/13/2013 at 3:43 pm

    ‘OK Google’ is already out with Jelly Bean – it’s on my S3 running 4.1.2… Unless you’re talking about a different version?

    • Branden

      11/13/2013 at 4:15 pm

      This one is just always active on the home screen

      • davidc

        11/16/2013 at 8:17 am

        You can turn on or off the always listening feature just as many other settings on the device.

  4. jay

    11/13/2013 at 3:53 pm

    Trolling. What’s the difference between a Samsung troll, and a IFruit troll? Samsung paid kids. I FRUIT people do it for free . Truth. ..nexus 7 is a wonderful device without any of the issues described above.

  5. Bruan K

    11/13/2013 at 4:05 pm

    I have zero issues with my Nexus 7 (2013). It has great battery life and no lag. I do not like the camera, but I didn’t buy it for the camera. Who uses the camera on a tablet?

  6. Cecil Gabriel

    11/13/2013 at 10:27 pm

    As usual, another tech article that I wasted my time reading only to learn nothing.. Nada!

    • Peppe

      11/14/2013 at 12:16 am

      Brilliant waste of time of an article that should have been no longer than a tweet

  7. Zorro

    11/16/2013 at 6:06 pm

    This article is nothing about, waste of time

  8. Thomas Munn

    11/22/2013 at 10:11 am

    Whatever, whenever, I have just received my kit kat update to my Nexus 7.2. Now looking for details of what was updated. It was very quick and invoved something happening to all my apps. I do not need to know but would just like to learn what was done anyway. .There was a page of explanation which as usual I forget. Thanks if anybody answers!

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