Connect with us

Android

Android 4.4.4 KitKat Update: 10 Key Details

Published

on

Google’s Android 4.4.3 KitKat and Android 4.4.4 KitKat updates are making waves this month as companies push on ahead with their respective roll outs. Here, we take a look at 10 key details that HTC, LG, Motorola, Samsung, and Sony smartphone users need to know about the Android 4.4.3 KitKat and Android 4.4.4 KitKat updates and their respective releases.

Back in June, Google released two brand new Android 4.4 KitKat updates, updates that were designed to tackle issues that emerged with the company’s initial Android 4.4.2 KitKat upgrade back in November. Android 4.4.3 KitKat was deployed June 4th, same day as Apple’s iOS 8 announcement, and it delivered bug fixes and changes to the dialer and the People application.

A few weeks later, Google pushed out Android 4.4.4 KitKat, a smaller update that contained just one security patch, a patch for an OpenSSL vulnerability. Since Android 4.4.4 KitKat’s roll out in late June, we’ve seen a number of companies start pushing out their own versions of Android 4.4.3 KitKat and Android 4.4.4 KitKat. We’ve also seen some other companies refrain. And like any other Android update roll out, details are flying around like crazy.

In the past month and a half we’ve seen new Android 4.4 KitKat updates push out and we’ve seen companies and carriers confirm an assortment of Android 4.4 KitKat details for their users. It’s a lot to keep track of. And that’s why we want to take a look at 10 of the most important Android 4.4.3 KitKat and Android 4.4.4 KitKat update details that we’ve come across in the past two weeks or so.

These Android 4.4 KitKat release details are the most important things HTC, LG, Motorola, Samsung, and Sony smartphone users need to know about the Android 4.4.3 and Android 4.4.4 KitKat update process, a process that is still going strong more than a month after Google first released its incremental bug fix updates.

Nexus 7 LTE Android 4.4.4 KitKat Release

The Nexus 7 LTE is still stuck on Android 4.4.3 KitKat and it’s not clear when or if the device will be getting Android 4.4.4 KitKat. The device was extremely late to the Android 4.4.3 KitKat update and it could be that Google is simply working on the Android 4.4.4 KitKat update behind the scenes. At least we hope it is, considering it features a crucial security fix.

Nexus-7-LTE-Review-2013-Verizon-3

What Nexus 7 LTE users need to know is that this update will probably come out of nowhere, if it even arrives before Android L. Google rarely makes a big deal out of these small bug fix releases which means that it will probably arrive with little to no fanfare out of the blue.

Nexus 7 LTE users are starting to get impatient but at the moment, the only detail that we provide is that there are simply no details at all. Just know that it’s going to be either Android 4.4.4 KitKat or Android L that’s next.

Android 4.4.4 KitKat Problems Continue

Android 4.4.3 KitKat and Android 4.4.4 KitKat were released to tackle Android 4.4.2 KitKat problems. And while the majority of users seem to be doing alright after the upgrade, we’re still hearing and seeing complaints about Android 4.4.3 and Android 4.4.4 KitKat.

The most vocal users, per usual, are owners of Google’s Nexus devices. In particular, Nexus 5 users are complaining about a variety of issues including random reboots and poor battery life. They aren’t alone. Nexus 4 and Nexus 7 users have also taken to Google’s Product Forums to complain about a number of problems with Android 4.4.4 KitKat.

Nexus users are certainly the loudest but they aren’t the only ones. So before you go thinking that Android 4.4.3 KitKat or Android 4.4.4 KitKat will solve all of your problems, know that these updates could bring some problems of their own.

No Android 4.4.5 KitKat Release In Sight

We haven’t seen any Android 4.4.5 KitKat update rumors emerge and we haven’t seen any kind of an uptick in our analytics, something that typically happens in the build up to a new Android update. While this doesn’t necessarily mean that an Android 4.4.5 bug fix update for Android 4.4.3 and Android 4.4.4 KitKat problems is out, it does mean that Nexus users and owners of other devices experience issues will need to try and fix their problems on their own.

We outlined several potential Android 4.4.4 KitKat bug fixes earlier this year and we also provided some resources for those that might be experiencing issues. Carrier forums and manufacturer forums are good places to turn for help as is XDA-Developers. Check these places out before performing a hard reset or throwing your device against the wall.

The good news is that Android L should come stock with bug fixes for Nexus users and perhaps users of other Android devices. Its release is unknown but it’s clear that Google is making progress as it released new Android L update images today.

HTC Android 4.4.3 KitKat Updates Expected in August

HTC is interesting because its Android 4.4.3 KitKat is serving as its Android 4.4.4 KiKat update. That is to say that it has baked in the Android 4.4.4 KitKat security fix into its Android 4.4.3 KitKat update.

The company is rolling out Android 4.4.3 KitKat to select HTC One M7 and HTC One M8 users and we’re expecting a number of new HTC One M8 Android 4.4.3 KitKat updates to arrive during the month of August.

HTC One-Best-Cheap-Phone-June 2014

HTC’s Mo Versi continues to keep HTC One users in the update loop and a short time ago, he issued a very specific release date for the T-Mobile HTC One M8  Android 4.4.3 KitKat update. Versi says that the company received approval from T-Mobile and that the update is now scheduled for a August 11th OTA. That date isn’t set in stone but it’s a solid target.

This isn’t the only HTC One M8 Android 4.4.3 update planned for August. The AT&T HTC One M8 update is also scheduled for mid-August but it has not been given a specific date. We’ve also seen several other carriers including Vodafone Australia, Telstra and French carrier SFR announce plans to roll out HTC One M8 Android 4.4.3 KitKat updates in August.

This should be a busy month for HTC One M8 users.

HTC One M7 Android 4.4.3 KitKat Update

According to HTC ROM developer LlabTooFeR, HTC is planning to push out the HTC One M7 Android 4.4.3 KitKat update to several regions in August. He singles out Italy and Turkey in particular. While the HTC One M7 Android 4.4.3 KitKat update has pushed to the Developer Edition of the device, it still hasn’t pushed out to users in the United States or users with the international variant.

And while Versi has been extremely chatty about HTC One M8 Android 4.4.3 KitKat updates, he hasn’t been as forthcoming about the HTC One M7. Translation: HTC One M7 owners in the United States could be a bit behind their HTC One M8 brethren. Not surprising given that the HTC One M8 is the company’s current flagship.

Other HTC Android 4.4.3 Updates Remain Missing

We still haven’t seen any Android 4.4.3 KitKat news emerge for owners of other HTC devices, devices like the HTC One mini and the HTC One max. HTC is known to be evaluating Android L updates for variants of these two devices though we simply haven’t seen any information regarding Android 4.4.3 KitKat updates.

Galaxy Note 3 vs HTC One Max - 4

At this point, HTC One max and HTC One mini users probably want to start looking ahead to Android L. As we head deeper into the year, the chances of these devices getting Android 4.4.3 KitKat get slimmer.

Motorola Android 4.4.4 KitKat Strikes U.S. Again

Motorola’s Android 4.4.4 KitKat update is still pushing out in the United States as the company works to deliver Android 4.4.4 KitKat and its bug fixes to owners of the popular Moto X. Recently, we saw the Verizon Moto X Android 4.4.4 KitKat update push out and next in line appears to be the AT&T Moto X Android 4.4.4 KitKat update.

Earlier this week, soak test invites recently went out for the AT&T Moto X, a sign that Android 4.4.4 KitKat is just over the horizon. In fact, we’re a little surprised that we haven’t seen it show up yet.

Moto-G-Review-6-620x388

As for the other models still on Android 4.4.2 KitKat, we still don’t have any details though typically we see carriers push updates out within a few days of each other. In other words, we could see T-Mobile and U.S. Cellular push their Moto X Android 4.4.4 KitKat upgrades out in August as well.

Users will want to keep an eye out.

LG & Samsung Galaxy Android 4.4.4 KitKat Updates MIA

The key detail here is that neither LG nor Samsung is talking about Android 4.4.3 KitKat or Android 4.4.4 KitKat. This is typical of both companies as they usually don’t announce anything until they’re extremely close to a roll out.

As we pointed out yesterday, the arrival of the Galaxy Note 4 could perhaps usher in a new era for Samsung. The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 could potentially come with Android 4.4.3 KitKat or Android 4.4.4 KitKat  on board. Back in May, SamMobile revealed the Samsung was working on new Galaxy Note 4 software features. It also went on to say that the company was testing these features on the Galaxy S5 with Android 4.4.3 KitKat as a base.

LG-G3-Remote

That doesn’t confirm Android 4.4.3 KitKat for the Galaxy Note 4 but it certainly opens the door. Keep in mind, Verizon did just roll out a new Galaxy S5 Android 4.4.2 KitKat update armed with bug fixes so it could be that Samsung sticks with Android 4.4.2 KitKat until the arrival of Android L.

LG could perhaps do the same.

Sony Continues Its Android 4.4.4 KitKat Push

Yesterday, Sony and T-Mobile USA rolled out Android 4.4.4 KitKat to the Xperia Z1s. The update, as expected, is chock full of changes. Enhancements include improvements to the device’s stability, Wi-Fi calling, reception, audio, and touchscreen. In other words, this is a crucial update for the Xperia Z1 and one that users will want to consider upgrading to.

Sony-Xperia-z1s-Hands-on-Video-620x413

The update is available through Sony’s PC Companion application and it should be rolling out Over-the-Air. Typically, we see Sony and T-Mobile deliver both options. If the update is not available OTA, head on over to Sony’s website to pick up the Companion app for the PC.

Sony Android 4.4.4 KitKat Updates Slated for August

This Android 4.4.4 KitKat update is one of many that are expected to deploy this month. Several carriers including Australian carrier Telstra and plan to push out Android 4.4.4 KitKat updates for Xperia devices in August so Xperia users that are still sitting on Android 4.4.2 KitKat and below are going to want to keep an eye out.

3 Comments

3 Comments

  1. Joey Smith

    08/08/2014 at 7:12 am

    Forget about it. Let’s leave Samsung, they don’t respect their customers. When it comes to updates, they’re really very slow. I’ve had the same experience that many others explain everywhere in other forums, my T Mobile S4 is a piece of crap after it was updated to kitkat 4.4.2 last february 14, 2014, I hate the phone and I’m willing to update it to 4.4.3 or 4.4.4 in order to see if it improves. I wish I could downgrade it to the oldest android version it had when I bought it. We have to move to Motorola, Nexus, HTC or whatever other phones, but Samsung SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!

  2. ravendra singh

    08/09/2014 at 12:40 am

    Sir
    Jai Jagat
    (May Almighty make whole universe be prosperous)
    May Micromax a94 be upgraded with kitkat.
    Thanks
    Jai Jagat
    Jaijagatone@gmail. Com

  3. nadia

    10/16/2014 at 8:19 am

    I have galaxy s4 with 4.4.2 .. why its late in getting the new update .. notice that auto update is already activated on my phone..!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.