Connect with us

Android

Android 4.4.3 KitKat Release Date & Rumor Roundup

Published

on

For weeks now, we’ve heard about Google’s Android 4.4.3 KitKat update, an update that Google itself has all but confirmed for arrival. And while we wait for Google to finally release the update that is expected to tackle Android 4.4.2 KitKat problems, we want to take a look at everything we know so far about the Android 4.4.3 KitKat release, its features and more.

In late March, the first credible Android 4.4.3 KitKat rumor emerged. The rumor, which originated from well known HTC leakster LlabTooFeR, suggested that an Android 4.4.3 KitKat update was on the way and that it would tackle a camera issue. As the weeks have gone on, we’ve heard more and more about the Android 4.4.3 KitKat update and it’s clear now that this is far more than an update aimed at tackling a single camera issue.

Android 4.4.3 KitKat rumors, for weeks, have been rampant. Over and over again we’ve seen Google’s supposed update teased while Google itself remains quiet. The company is not known for announcing incremental updates ahead of their release so Android users have been, and will continue to be, dependent on the rumor mill for information.

In the past two weeks, we’ve seen a number of Android 4.4.3 KitKat update details surface. With Nexus owners on edge, owners of other Android devices now in the Android 4.4.3 KitKat fold, and an Android 4.4.3 KitKat release imminent, we want to take another look at how the Android 4.4.3 KitKat update situation is shaping up.

Android 4.4.3 KitKat Release Date

Despite an obscene amount of pre-release information, we still don’t have a read on a specific Android 4.4.3 KitKat release date. Rumors have suggested that Google is targeting a release in May or June but release date rumors have fallen silent in recent weeks as we inch closer to next month’s Google I/O.

What we do know is that there is a ton of action behind the scenes. Samsung is clearly testing the Android 4.4.3 KitKat update behind the scenes. We’ve seen reports suggest that it has the update in testing for the Galaxy S5 and Galaxy S4 LTE-A model and we’ve seen the update show up on Samsung’s developer site. This means that Samsung, at the very least, is progressing towards an eventual release.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Android 4.4.2 problems frustrate users.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Android 4.4.2 problems frustrate users.

We’ve seen Sprint, Motorola, Google, and now Samsung confirm the Android 4.4.3 KitKat update so it’s no secret that an update is in the works. A recent Moto E promotional video even referred to Android 4.4.3 KitKat as the “current” version of Android.

Google usually releases a maintenance update before Google I/O and with Google I/O set for late June, it’s possible that we’ll see the update roll out sometime within the next four weeks.

Android 4.4.3 KitKat Updates

Rumors suggest that Android 4.4.3 KitKat will be deployed for a number of devices, not just Google’s stable of Nexus smartphones and tablets. While a release for the Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7, and Nexus 10 is almost a given at this point, there are a number of other smartphones that are rumored to be getting the upgrade.

Early rumors pointed to an arrival for the Google Play Edition devices that are found on Google’s Play Store. LlabTooFeR suggests that the HTC One M7 and HTC One M8 GPe models will get Android 4.4.3 KitKat sometime in May or June. He also says that the regular old HTC One M7 and HTC One M8 will get Android 4.4.3 KitKat sometime in May or June as well. According to him, these updates are “confirmed.”

Deal-on-HTC-One-M8-and-Galaxy-S5-and-iPhone-5-620x438

We’ve also heard that the Moto X will get Android 4.4.3 and recent rumors point to an arrival for the Samsung Galaxy S5 and the Galaxy S4 LTE-Advanced model. SamMobile says that it expects Google to roll the update out in May or June at which time Samsung may roll it out for these two Galaxy devices.

We’ve also seen rumors point to an arrival for a number of other Galaxy-branded smartphones including the Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note 2, and Galaxy Note 3, but those updates remain unconfirmed and out of sight at this point.

Android 4.4.3 KitKat Features

One thing that hasn’t wavered in the past two months of rumors is the feature set that will supposedly be coming on board the Android 4.4.3 KitKat update.

Android 4.4.3 KitKat is expected to alleviate many of the issues that Nexus owners, and owners of other Android devices, have been experiencing since the release of Android 4.4.2 KitKat.

android_kitkat-575x383

Several weeks ago, Google leaked a change log for the Android 4.4.3 KitKat update and it’s clear that the goal of this update will be to stabilize the software. Google took down the change log shortly after it arrived but there is a copy of it available on GitHub for those that are interested in taking a look.

It’s still not clear if Android 4.4.3 KitKat will add any features or how the update might affect owners of non-Nexus smartphones and tablets. Manufacturers like Samsung typically tack on their own improvements and fixes of their own. Samsung, for instance has used incremental updates to deliver new software features to older devices. Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean, for instance, brought the company’s Premium Suite to the Galaxy S3.

Samsung recently rolled out Galaxy S5 features to the Galaxy S4 though the features emerged on an Android 4.4.2 KitKat update and not Android 4.4.3 KitKat.

Android 4.5

Nexus hardware always comes with new Android software and rumors point to an upcoming Nexus 8 release from Google and HTC. Rumors point to a release in Q3, same as last year’s Nexus 7 release, and they also suggest that Google could be cooking up a new update.

Google may change the look of the stock Android icons for Android 4.5.

Google may change the look of the stock Android icons for Android 4.5.

The name Android 4.5 has been thrown around several times but it’s not clear if that’s going to be its name. In fact, we don’t know much about the next version of Android. There is some whispering about a new look and some major changes but even the source of those rumors is unsure about when or how these features will be deployed.

At this point, the only sure thing appears to be Android 4.4.3 KitKat, an update that has been rumored since late March and still hasn’t landed for Google’s Android smartphones and tablets.

2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. Globespy

    05/27/2014 at 4:41 pm

    I think at this point there likely won’t be a 4.4.3. update with 4.5 so close behind it, and Google just used the marketing opportunity to bolster excitement in the Android community to buy more time….but you didn’t hear that from me…..

  2. Nick

    05/28/2014 at 7:05 am

    Release date would be great! When?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.