New Android 4.4.4 KitKat Update Details Emerge

Google’s Android 4.4.4 KitKat update roll out continues as new Android 4.4.4 KitKat details have emerged for owners of four non-Nexus devices just days after Google started pushing out its latest Android 4.4.4 update to replace Android 4.4.3 KitKat.

At the end of last week, Google issued a surprise update in the form of Android 4.4.4 KitKat. The update was a surprise because Google did not make any kind of announcement and because the company had just started rolling out Android 4.4.3 KitKat a few days before its arrival.

Android 4.4.3 KitKat was an update that had been rumored for weeks. The update teased Android users in a number of ways before it was finally released on June 4th, the same day that Apple took the stage and announced its iOS 8 update for iPhone and iPad.

As expected, it delivered a number of bug fixes for Nexus users and owners of other Android devices. It also came with some changes to the stock dialer and to the People application. The changes are cosmetic but they have been embraced by Android users nonetheless. With Android 4.4.3 KitKat out for the Nexus 7, Nexus 5, Nexus 4, and Nexus 10, most people believed the next Android update would be far off in the distance.

Just days after the Android 4.4.3 KitKat update began rolling out to Nexus users and owners of other Android devices, Google pushed a Android 4.4.4 KitKat update with security enhancements to replace it. And while the update has been rolling out to Nexus users since last week, today, we’re seeing some new Android 4.4.4 KitKat details emerge.

It appears that the Android 4.4.4 KitKat update is now rolling out to Sony Xperia Z1 Compact owners in several regions including Italy, Indonesia, and Russia. The update reportedly brings the new simple home launcher from the Xperia Z2, the TV Sideview application, and UI and performance enhancements. It’s a little bigger than the update for Google’s Nexus devices but that’s to be expected.

The Xperia Z1 Compact is not alone. The Android 4.4.4 KitKat update is just now rolling out to the Xperia Z1 and the Xperia Z Ultra.The update is now live for both devices and it appears that these Android 4.4.4 KitKat updates are chock full of features. Here is the full change log for these two updates:

• Android 4.4.4 including the latest enhancements and security updates from Google
• Updated and improved camera experience
• Improvements when using Google voice, Contacts, Music streaming and Google+
• The latest versions of our Sony apps for you to enjoy
• All of our latest bug fixes, optimisations & improvements

Like the Xperia Z1 Compact Android 4.4.4 KitKat update, these updates are going to roll out region by region, device by device, so owners will want to remain patient as Sony works to deliver its latest Android 4.4 KitKat update.

The Android 4.4.4 KitKat update is also rolling out to the LG G Pad 8.3 Google Play Edition, a device that skipped the Android 4.4.3 KitKat update and now moves directly to Android 4.4.4. Like the other Android 4.4.3 and Android 4.4.4 KitKat updates, this update should bring performance enhancements and fixes to owners of Google’s version of the LG G Pad 8.3.

Of course, the roll out will be similar too. Google’s Android updates typically take a week or so to complete so LG G Pad 8.3 users will want to remain patient as Google pushes the update out in stages to ensure stability.

It’s not clear where the update will be heading next though early Android 4.4.3 KitKat rumors pointed to an arrival on the Samsung Galaxy S5, and Samsung Galaxy S4 LTE-A. The Galaxy S4 LTE-A Android 4.4.3 KitKat update was rumored for July while the Galaxy S5 Android 4.4.3 KitKat update was rumored for arrival in June.

HTC also recently confirmed Android 4.4.4 KitKat for the HTC One M7, last year’s flagship, in the United States. The company is likely working on the update across all carriers. If the update is heading to last year’s device, then there is a good chance the HTC One M8 will get Android 4.4.4 KitKat as well. Both of these updates were rumored for June though it’s not clear if HTC will get them out within that window.