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Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3 Android 4.4 Update Breakdown Pt. 2

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After months of silence, Samsung has finally started to push out the Android 4.4 KitKat update to its customers. While the Android 4.4 KitKat update is only limited to a few Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy S4 models at the moment, we’ve seen a number of developments. And there are rumors that suggest that the update will be coming to the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 as well.

Late last year, Google took down the curtain shrouding its Android 4.4 KitKat update that was first announced all the way back in September. Google debuted the update alongside the Nexus 5 and detailed many of its features including the fact that it would roll out for the Nexus 7, Nexus 4 and Nexus 10.

Other companies followed suit. HTC, Sony and Motorola were all quick to release Android 4.4 KitKat update information to their customers. However, the largest Android manufacturer, Samsung, remained quiet. And while there is still silence, we did see some noise leak out earlier this year.

Samsung quietly started pushing out the Galaxy Note 3 Android 4.4 KitKat update. The update has landed for a few carriers and even leaked out for a Galaxy Note 3 model in the United States. However, Samsung has not pushed its foot on the pedal and the update’s status remains a mystery for most.

Recently, we saw Samsung begin the Galaxy S4 Android 4.4 KitKat update roll out as well and the update has even landed for one device in the United States. Still, it’s an update that is in progress and one that Galaxy S4 owners are eagerly awaiting.

Beyond those roll outs, Samsung has remained quiet and that has left owners of those Galaxy devices and owners of devices like the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 looking for answers.

Gotta Be Mobile has been attempting to track down as much information as possible as these four Android 4.4 KitKat updates. They represent the major Samsung Android 4.4 KitKat roll outs.

Here, we offer an updated look at the progress Samsung is making and what we’ve heard thus far about the remaining Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy S4 Android 4.4 updates and the rumored Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.4 KitKat updates.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Android 4.4 KitKat update is Samsung’s most active but that’s not saying much. The update, which rolled out for a number of devices a couple of weeks ago, is currently at a complete and utter standstill. We haven’t seen any updates emerge for more than a week now, something that isn’t completely shocking given Samsung’s penchant for slow roll outs, but something that is a little concerning given that the update started rolling out last month.

We know that the Android 4.4 KitKat update broke compatibility with some third-party accessories and that Samsung promised a fix for the problem but at the moment, we’re not sure how this is affecting the overall roll out. It could be that Samsung and its carrier partners were forced to go back to the drawing board.

While it’s not clear if there is indeed a snag or not, we have seen a couple of Galaxy Note 3 Android 4.4 KitKat update details sneak out in recent days.

Late last week we saw Canadian carrier Rogers claim that its Galaxy Note 3 Android 4.4 KitKat update is “coming soon” though it did not provide a specific date. More recently, ThreeUK let a detail slip when it said that the update is currently still in testing. It also says that it does not have a concrete date for the roll out.

We haven’t seen any other carriers confirm anything just yet so it appears that they are likely in the same boat as ThreeUK and Rogers. Galaxy Note 3 updates are likely in testing across the globe and we should see some movement in the near future.

Remember, the AT&T Galaxy Note 3 Android 4.4 update leaked out several weeks ago so it’s pretty clear that American carriers are hard at work preparing this update for arrival.

Samsung Galaxy Note 2

Another week down and we still haven’t seen any significant rumors, or progress, from the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.4 KitKat update. Samsung remains silent and we haven’t seen any carriers confirm the update for arrival. Instead, all we have currently are the rumors that suggest that the update is indeed coming and that it could arrive in either March or April.

Rumors have stated that the update will roll out after the Samsung Galaxy S4 Android 4.4 KitKat update deploys and with it now available in the United States and elsewhere, we’re probably getting closer to Samsung’s target date for the Galaxy Note 2’s Android 4.4 KitKat roll out. Only time will tell.

Samsung Galaxy S4

Besides the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Android 4.4 update, the Galaxy S4 has seen the most movement in recent days. A few days ago, the Galaxy S4 update reportedly rolled out to devices on two carriers in Korea. That seemed to be a sign that things were close. And they were, but only for some users.

Yesterday, Sprint announced the Galaxy S4 Android 4.4 KitKat update roll out, becoming the first carrier in the United States to deliver Android 4.4 to a Galaxy smartphone and one of the only carriers on earth that has pushed it out for the Galaxy S4. The update, as expected, is incremental like the Galaxy Note 3’s, but it’s still an exciting development nonetheless.

What’s strange is that the international variants, the GT-i9500 and the GT-i9505, have yet to receive the upgrade. Historically, Samsung’s international variants receive the software first. Keep in mind, SamMobile said back on January 16th that Samsung just started testing the GT-i9500 update and that it wasn’t close to public release.

We haven’t seen any other carriers move but again, Canadian carrier Rogers says that its Galaxy S4 Android 4.4 KitKat update is “coming soon” which bodes well for the rest of North America.

Just yesterday, we also noticed something interesting on Samsung’s website. The website lists the black AT&T Galaxy S4 as having Android 4.4 KitKat on board. Peculiar considering we haven’t seen AT&T announce the update and because the other two models are listed with Android 4.3 Jelly Bean.

At the very least, we consider this further confirmation for AT&T Galaxy S4 users. At most, it could also mean that an update is coming soon. After all, we saw the update leak out weeks ago and it was in pretty good shape.

Samsung Galaxy S3

Samsung’s Galaxy S3 is in the same boat as the Galaxy Note 2. There is a lot of rumor and speculation but there is no concrete evidence that suggests that a Galaxy S3 Android 4.4 KitKat update is indeed going to be coming in March or April.

Galaxy S3 owners can take solace in the fact that these rumors come from credible sources with proven track records but rumors are simply that, rumors. Until Samsung itself makes an announcement or rolls an update out, these will remain unconfirmed.

Again, we fully expect Samsung to get its Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy S4 Android 4.4 KitKat updates moving before it pushes these two out.

12 Comments

12 Comments

  1. Joe

    02/14/2014 at 1:59 pm

    S4 update to 4.4.2 arrived on my Sprint last night. Only one app disappeared but was easily returned. Seems to be working fine.

  2. TJ

    02/14/2014 at 7:34 pm

    Here is Sprint Samsung Galaxy S4 (SPH-L720) official Android 4.3 VPUEMJA stock OTA update firmware file that can be flashed through stock recovery.This update is now live via OTA over the air, the stock OTA firmware is only useful for those who are facing issues updating through OTA or can’t wait to take the update any longer. This is the same file officially released by Sprint and again which can be manually installed by going through the stock recovery.
    https://android.clients.google.com/packages/ota/sprint_samsung_l720/cce8d8a155a0602c83356e00311a1695e9a9383f.USER_L720_SPT_MF9_CSB_user_RP_to_MJA_CSB_user_RP_Update_FWD.zip

  3. TJ

    02/14/2014 at 8:29 pm

    SPRINT S4 (L720) 4.4.2 Kit Kat Update Direct Link

    – You must already be on MK2 to install this update.
    – You must have the original S4 (SPH-L720), not the upgraded LTE Spark (SPH-L720T) model.
    – As always, your phone must be stock. No custom recoveries, root, etc). Stock recovery is required to install the update.
    – Edit: CF still works when rooting 4.4.2. If you use the HotSpot Mod, you’ll still have to wait.

    https://android.clients.google.com/packages/ota/sprint_samsung_l720/8069446ccb676c347a698e64b2df33882547f017.USER_L720 _SPT_MK2_CSB_user_RP_to_NAE_CSB_user_RP_Update_FWD .zip

    download the file to the root of the external SD card boot into the stock recovery select apply update from external SD and install it it is genuine and official

  4. helen keller

    02/14/2014 at 9:30 pm

    Any word on whether the note 3 will be getting Google Wallet Tap to Pay support? Really bummed my nfc flagship phone can’t use this function. Keep us posted.

  5. Scot

    02/15/2014 at 2:09 am

    I think Hell will be a frozen waste land by the time we see the update and to be honest I don’t really care. I have the note 3, running a custom stock rom and running a Kit Kat launcher on top of 4.3. No issues and it’s very stable. When I get the note 4 I’ll get Kit Kat then.

  6. Guadalupe

    02/15/2014 at 8:16 am

    I have T-Mobile and my update came in yesterday. ..

  7. ren

    02/15/2014 at 11:12 am

    This article has absolutely zero news. You guys have nothing better ?

  8. Jay

    02/15/2014 at 8:31 pm

    Hey scot, can u send me the details on how u rooted the note 3

  9. Jim

    02/15/2014 at 10:28 pm

    I have a SM900V galaxy note 3 Verizon. Will this work on my phone?

  10. Jim

    02/15/2014 at 10:35 pm

    Scott, Can you tell me how you modified your note 3? I like your approach and would like to do the same. Any help you could offer would be appreciated?

  11. jj

    02/16/2014 at 12:17 am

    I have a tmobile note 3 but it isn’t running on a tmobile network. Wonder if I will get it!

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