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Motorola Android 4.4 KitKat Update Progress Report

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Motorola was one of the first manufacturers to push out the Android 4.4 KitKat update, however, there is still plenty of work left to do. With Motorola Android 4.4 KitKat updates emerging left and right, we want offer owners an updated look at the progress Motorola has made with Google’s latest and greatest Android update.

Last November, Google started pushing out Android 4.4 KitKat, an update that emerged as Android 4.3 Jelly Bean’s successor all the way back in September. Android 4.4 KitKat is not a massive change to the Android operating system, but it does bring some noticeable changes and additions to Android smartphones.

In the past, Android manufacturers have stayed silent about plans for major Android upgrades, however, with Android 4.4 KitKat, we saw a number of companies offer detailed information.

One of those companies was Motorola, a company that was bought by Google and has since been sold to Lenovo. Motorola confirmed a number of Android 4.4 KitKat updates for its stable of devices and the company moved quickly.

The Moto X Android 4.4 KitKat update hit the United States back in November, shortly after the update arrived for Nexus devices. For those that aren’t aware of Android’s history, that’s an extremely fast turnaround. Typically, non-Nexus devices are weeks, if not months behind Google’s Nexus devices.

In the weeks after the Moto X Android 4.4 KitKat update, we’ve seen the Droid Ultra, Droid MAXX and Droid Mini get their Android 4.4 updates and now, eyes are on the remaining Android 4.4 KitKat updates and Android 4.4.2, the latest update from Google.

With that in mind, we felt it appropriate to round up everything that we know about Motorola’s Android 4.4 KitKat update roll out and deliver a progress report for those that are still waiting for Android 4.4 KitKat updates to arrive.

Moto X

Moto X

The Moto X Android 4.4 KitKat update first rolled out at the tail end of last year, remarkable for a non-Nexus device. So, instead of waiting for Android 4.4 KitKat, Moto X owners in the United States are currently awaiting the Android 4.4.2 KitKat update, the update that Google rolled out to Nexus owners in the weeks after Android 4.4.2 KitKat’s arrival.

Thus far, we’ve seen Android 4.4.2 Kitkat updates land for the T-Mobile and and U.S. Cellular versions of the Moto X. Both updates landed earlier this month and brought some enhancements along with them. Both updates arrived with similar change logs with enhancements aimed at fixing Email and battery life woes.

AT&T, Sprint and Verizon models still don’t have their upgrades to Android 4.4.2 KitKat but Motorola says that all three will be “coming soon.” The company does not provide exact dates for owners, we expect Motorola to actually roll these updates our in the near future. Owners should also expect them to be similar to the updates that rolled out to the T-Mobile and U.S. Cellular variants.

Moto G

Moto G Review - 7

The Moto G is in even better shape than the Moto X. The budget version of Motorola’s flagship already is in possession of Android 4.4.2 KitKat. Both the Boost Mobile and Verizon variants have received Android 4.4.2 KitKat updates.

The update was a fairly big one and includes “enhancements such as restyled status and navigation bars, a new full-screen mode, color emoji support, improved closed captioning support, stronger security, smarter power use, and more tools and capabilities for better app development.”  Those who haven’t upgraded yet would be wise to do so.

It’s not clear what is next in line for the two devices though we imagine it will be whatever Google cooks up next for Android users.

Motorola Droid Ultra, Droid MAXX, Droid Mini

Verizon-Droid-Ultra-Video-006-575x371

All three of these devices have received upgrades to Android 4.4 KitKat after a bit of a bump in the road. However, it’s still not clear exactly when Motorola plans to upgrade these three with Android 4.4.2 KitKat or if it even plans to at all. We still haven’t seen the company announce Android 4.4.2 KitKat updates for Droid RAZR HD, RAZR MAXX HD and Droid Mini users and it’s possible that it won’t say anything ahead of time.

Users will want to keep an eye on the software upgrade page for these devices because that’s likely where the company will make an announcement prior to the actual roll out.

Motorola Droid RAZR HD, RAZR MAXX HD, Droid M

Droid RAZR MAXX HD review 7

Last year, Motorola promised Android 4.4 KitKat updates for the Droid RAZR HD, Droid RAZR MAXX HD and the Droid RAZR M. None of those updates have rolled out and it’s still no clear as to when Motorola plans on releasing them.

We still haven’t see Motorola announce anything nor have we seen any soak tests emerge. Soak tests typically signal the start of a roll out and public releases often begin a day or two after the arrival of a soak test. There is currently no reason to believe that these devices won’t get Android 4.4 or Android 4.4.2 KitKat but it still could be a little while before Motorola gets around to getting them upgraded.

Motorola Atrix HD

atrixhd-620x483

Motorola’s promised Android 4.4 KitKat upgrade for the Atrix HD still hasn’t landed and there is still no word on when it might be rolling out to users on AT&T. AT&T typically keeps its update release dates hidden from view ahead of the actual release so it will likely roll out without warning at some point in the future.

Like the Droid RAZR HD, Droid RAZR MAXX HD and Droid M Android 4.4 KitKat updates, the update remains active on Motorola’s website, a sign that it is still on the way.

Motorola Electrify M

Finally, the only other Android 4.4 KitKat update confirmed for arrival is the Motorola Electrify M update on U.S. Cellular. The update, like the others, remains active on Motorola’s website but there is no sign of the update itself.

U.S. Cellular, like AT&T and the other major U.S. carriers, typically does not reveal release dates ahead of time which means that those who bought into this device will likely be waiting in the dark until the update arrives.

7 Comments

7 Comments

  1. Darios

    02/13/2014 at 9:59 pm

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  2. Catherine Merzlova

    02/14/2014 at 1:20 am

    The problem with KitKat updates is that these updates should be released not by Google, but by other manufacturers who are focused on the development of new dadgets, not on the update of the old ones. And even though Android KitKat can be installed on very weak gadgets, I doubt that they will receive KitKat.

  3. Deepanshu

    02/14/2014 at 11:56 pm

    Motorola Moto g Gets Android 4.4.2 Kitkat Update In India

    Buy Now – https://po.st/motorolamotog

    Go to settings > About Phone.

    Select System Updates

    Click on download and once that is done, Install.

  4. Taildraggin

    02/17/2014 at 3:28 pm

    Verizon, ATT and Sprint haven’t gotten any updates out, yet? They’re only 85% of the market.

  5. somfw

    02/17/2014 at 4:32 pm

    All this “Hey Mom Look,, I wrote something” excuse for an article proves is what has been blatantly clear to anyone whose I.Q. isn’t single digit, since the release of the Moto X 7 months ago.
    Which is, Kitkat was ready and meant to go at launch! Obviously Google had to wait for the Nexus 5 to be ready so they opted for 4.2.instead of the Buggy, but already out 4.3.
    This is the miracle all the Android FanBoys like to brag and gloat about. Which wasn’t so much of a miracle after all.

    4.4.2 is a simple OTA! It is ready to go all they have to do is Flip the Switch. There doesn’t need to be any testing by the carriers or OEM’s, Not that they ever test anything to begin with. But, t it gives them an excuse for, and or a reason to delay Updates, especially where Verizon is concerned, If they ever tested any of the Android versions or updates, They either Suck at it or just rubber stamp it along. If they did this “rigorous” testing they claim, they would have caught all the initial bugs.
    So, it’s business as usual for Big Red, They now have even less of a Financial incentive to do anything for the Moto X, especially considering it’s almost nonexistent sales figures which even according to Googlerola have been Dismal at best. Hence the non stop Discounting since launch.

    Yes, The Verizon Moto x will get this version “KitKat Lite” – 4.4.2, with all it’s omissions eventually, But that’s it. The Moto x after that minor upgrade is officially abandoned by all parties involved.Of that you can be 100% certain!

  6. murdza

    02/17/2014 at 5:18 pm

    @somfw 2 things wrong with your arguments:

    1. Kit Kat was not even released when Moto X was announced. You may argue that since motorola is (actually not anymore) owned by google they would have had access to Kit Kat before any other manufacturer. This was not the case. Google was very adamant about not releasing new android code to anyone (including google owned motorola) ahead of official release dates. This would upset the “android ecosystem” and piss off companies like samsung (who are already transitioning to alternative OS like their in house developed tizen).

    2. The decision to upgrade is primarily made by the carrier. The faster you get your software to the carriers the faster it will be pushed. The less models you have to work on the software for the faster that will happen. In the past year Motorola has kept it simple with essentially 4 phones (droid line and motoX). Also, they totally restructured their corporate hierarchy and company philosophy to be consistent with what they believe American consumers are looking for. THATS WHY Moto X got Kit Kat so fast.

    NOW, I’m just curious what Lenovo will do with Motorola. Hopefully they keep up the trend that “Googlerola” has set in the past 9 months.

  7. somfw

    02/19/2014 at 1:33 am

    Mine is not an argument , it’s fact. That is why you are so confused.
    1.Yes Kitkat was not released. As I clearly stated. Which is why Googlerola had to wait for the Not ready yet Nexus 5
    2.Motorola is still 100% owned by Google and will be for quite some time
    3. Google said lots of things and made lots of claims and everyone fell for them, hook line and sinker! Including, apparently , you!
    How did that work out? – Google Controlled Every aspect of Motorola from day one. And continue to do so. Motorola had full access to kitkat before anyone else. That and that alone is why They were able to push out the updates so quickly. these updates were agreed upon by all parties involved before the release of Kitkat.
    4. the Moto x and G were designed to be run on kitkat. Putting Jellybean was just a stop gap measure because they had to get the moto x out before the iToy 5s
    5. Correct, the decision to do updates after release are made by the carriers. This has been proved by how long 4.4.2 has been out and the fact that the Verizon Moto X still doesn’t have it – it’s back to business as usual for big red. However, the decison to go to Kitkat was made before the phones release. there was nothing they had to test or change, Not that they do any testing anyway. It was quite simply and still is, a Flip of the switch for them to put out an update. If you believe the B.S. of the “Thorough Testing” that they have to and do, do. I got a bridge to sell you. If they tested it them at all, there wouldn’t be so many bugs on the Moto x!
    6. Google didn’t restructure anything at motorola. They thought they could reinvent the handset market, went on a drunk binge spending spree and failed miserably. the desision to sell off Moto was made well before the launch of the Moto x. The Moto x was a last ditch effort to try and salvage what turned out to be a loss of biblical proportions. In fact the Moto x and G were sceduled to be scrapped before launch, But Google had dumped so much into them already, At launch, google only hope and plan was to get rid of the inventory and try and recoup some of their impending staggering losses.

    But you choose to believe what you want, I will stick with facts and common senset

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