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Android 4.4.3 KitKat Update Still Hitting Nexus Users

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Google’s Android 4.4.3 KitKat update is still rolling out, two weeks after its initial release for Nexus users, and today the update has become available to owners of a particular variant of the Nexus 7.

Earlier this month, after a several leaks, Google pushed out the Android 4.4.3 KitKat update. Within the first two days, the update rolled out to select owners of the Nexus 7, Nexus 5, Nexus 10, and Nexus 4. And while the update has been pushing out for two weeks now, it’s still landing for some Nexus users that were left behind on Android 4.4.2 during the initial push.

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Today, after a bit of a wait, the OTA Android 4.4 KitKat upgrades for the 2012 version of the Nexus 7 Wi-Fi and Nexus 7 Wi-Fi + 3G have been located allowing users to install the update ahead of the OTA. The updates were discovered lurking on Google’s servers by Android Police and they deliver Android 4.4.3 KitKat and all of its features to users of the 2012 version of Google’s Nexus tablet.

Those that want to bypass the OTA and are comfortable with sideloading the software can now pull both updates. Of course, those that wish to sideload must be running stock Android 4.4.2 in order for the updates to work.

Nexus 7 Wi-Fi only users that are currently running stock Android 4.4.2 KitKat can use this file to install the Android 4.4.3 KitKat update and all of its fixes right now. Nexus 7 Wi-Fi+3G only users that are currently running stock Android 4.4.2 KitKat can use this file to install the Android 4.4.3 KitKat update and all of its fixes right now.

Those that don’t know how to sideload can take a look at our guide from last year. Just make sure to substitute the update listed there with the proper Android 4.4.3 KitKat update.

Nexus 7 LTE Review 2013 Verizon - 5

The updates are extremely small, less than 100MB, and that’s a product of Android 4.4.3 KitKat’s features. The update isn’t a massive upgrade for Nexus owners. Instead, it’s aimed at tackling many of the bugs that emerged inside Android 4.4.2 KitKat. And while Nexus owners have run into Android 4.4.3 KitKat problems of their own, it certainly has fixed many lingering issues.

Google’s Android 4.4.3 KitKat roll out has been extremely strange. While the update has indeed landed for a number of Nexus users, there are still quite a few people waiting for the update to arrive. Google took care of Nexus 7 2012 users today but owners of the Nexus 7 LTE are still waiting for Google to deliver the fixes.

According to a Google representative on the company’s product forum, “work is ongoing to bring this update to Nexus 7 2013 LTE”. The representative did not outline a target release date for the update and Nexus 7 LTE owners simply must wait patiently as Google works to deliver the software to the model with an LTE radio.

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Nexus 7 LTE owners aren’t the only ones waiting for Android 4.4.3. Rumors point to an arrival for the HTC One M7, HTC One M8, Samsung Galaxy S5, and the Samsung Galaxy S4 LTE-A. Android 4.4.3 rumors suggest that the Galaxy S5, HTC One M7, and HTC One M8 Android 4.4.3 KitKat updates could arrive in June but that remains unconfirmed.

While Android 4.4.3 KitKat delivered bug fixes and changes to the dialer and People app, it’s not clear what HTC and Samsung will tack onto these updates. Enhancements and fixes to HTC’s Sense and Samsung’s TouchWiz seem likely but change logs remain out of reach, at least for the moment.

Android 4.4.3 KitKat might be Google’s newest update but it could be replaced in the near future. Rumors point to the arrival of a Nexus 8 later this year and Google always releases new Android software alongside new Nexus hardware.

3 Comments

3 Comments

  1. Matt

    06/17/2014 at 8:18 pm

    Finally, an article that explains why the LTE model hasn’t gotten the update. Thank you

    • Alvin Brinson

      06/18/2014 at 11:24 pm

      Not really, it doesn’t explain anything. There is no reason that Google themselves should need additional weeks/months to release 4.4.3 on the LTE version, radio or not. Unless, of course, they’re waiting on Verizon certification. Which they shouldn’t since most owners of the N7 LTE are NOT EVEN VERIZON CUSTOMERS.

      • Fernando Asencio

        06/20/2014 at 3:25 pm

        I could not agree with you more, this lack of consistency is one of the main reasons android gets criticism over ios. When apple update their devices, they do all them right away. Google cant even seem to get all of their approved devices together.

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