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Android 4.4.4 KitKat Update Breakdown (August)

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In June, Google pushed out an extremely important Android 4.4 KitKat update in the form of Android 4.4.4 KitKat, a bug fixer for Android 4.4.2 KitKat problems. In the weeks since its arrival, we’ve seen the Android 4.4.4 KitKat release make incredible progress and here, we take a look at what took place in August and what’s upcoming in the future.

Last September, Google surprisingly announced its Android 4.4 KitKat update for arrival. The update itself wasn’t the surprise, we knew that it was coming, but the timing of the announcement and the name were both surprises. Android 4.4.2 KitKat rolled out that November to Nexus devices and in the months since, we’ve seen Android 4.4.2 KitKat land for a number of users.

Android 4.4.2 KitKat was a good update but also a flawed one. So, in the months between November and June, Google was hard at work on an Android 4.4.3 KitKat bug fix update that it hoped would eradicate many of the Android 4.4.2 KitKat problems that had jumped up at Android users in the months since release. In early June, Google deployed Android 4.4.3 KitKat for the first time and as expected, it did fix a lot of the major issues with the company’s Android 4.4 upgrade.

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Then, Google unleashed another KitKat surprise in the form of Android 4.4.4 KitKat. Android 4.4.4 KitKat, for Nexus users, is a small update that contains just one single security patch. For others, Android 4.4.4 KitKat has delivered that security fix along with Android 4.4.3 KitKat’s bug fixes. Yes, many companies are skipping Android 4.4.3 for the newer Android 4.4.4 build.

Since that day in June, Android 4.4.4 KitKat and its fixes have landed for a number of Android devices. In August alone we’ve seen Android 4.4.4 KitKat spread to several big name smartphones, bringing bug fixes and unique enhancements along with it. The Android 4.4.4 KitKat update roll out is still very active and as with any active update, there are details flying around left and right.

Here, we want to recap all of the important Android 4.4.4 KitKat details that emerged in the month of August and take a look at where the update is heading in the future. August was a busy month for Android 4.4.4 KitKat but the roll out is far from over. Here’s how it all breaks down.

HTC Sticks With Android 4.4.3 KitKat

So we’re going to break it down for you major carrier by major carrier. First, we’ll start with HTC, one of Android’s more popular manufacturers and a company that isn’t going to be rolling out Android 4.4.4 KitKat. Not now, not ever.

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HTC is committed to Android 4.4.3 KitKat instead. That doesn’t mean that it’s not rolling out the fix in Android 4.4.4 KitKat though. It is. HTC’s Android 4.4.3 KitKat updates, which we’ve been tracking all month, come with Android 4.4.4 KitKat’s fix on board. So HTC One M8 and HTC One M7 users have no reason to fret.

We’ve been getting a ton of questions about Android 4.4.4 for HTC devices and this should answer all of your questions. It’s not going to be rolling out but it’s not that big of a deal.

LG Android 4.4.4 KitKat Updates Still MIA

For whatever reason, LG remains silent about Android 4.4.3 KitKat and Android 4.4.4 KitKat. We literally haven’t seen a single tidbit of information emerge during the month of August. Not for LG G2 users, not for LG G3 owners. We’ve seen Android L update details start to flow but we simply haven’t heard anything about Android 4.4.4 KitKat.

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Now, as we’ve told you, this isn’t too surprising. LG is extremely unpredictable when it comes to Android software updates. That’s been the case for many years now and it’s something that you should have known before buying into the LG G3 or LG G2 or any other LG-made smartphone.

This of course would not have been an issue if there weren’t LG G3 problems swirling about. We detailed a few earlier this month and we’re hopeful that Android 4.4.4 KitKat or Android L will fix the issues that aren’t served by temporary fixes.

Moto X Android 4.4.4 KitKat Release Continues

We’ve seen a steady stream of Moto X Android 4.4.4 KitKat releases during the month of August. Both AT&T and Sprint recently updated their versions of the Moto X with Android 4.4.4 KitKat and all of its goodies. Yes, Motorola’s Android 4.4.4 KitKat updates are both loaded up with a ton of fixes and enhancements that should serve the device well.

We’re still waiting on the U.S. Cellular Moto X Android 4.4.4 KitKat update and the T-Mobile Moto X Android 4.4.4 KitKat update though release details for those remain out of reach at the moment. Motorola still says that both updates will roll out in the near future but it has yet to tack on an extremely specific date to either.

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Given the timing of the other updates, there’s no reason to believe that these other Moto X updates will miss the month of September. We haven’t seen major issues plague the other Moto X devices and carriers are typically just a few weeks behind each other.

Motorola has been moving quickly to get its devices outfitted with the latest software and we’re expecting the company to keep pushing Android 4.4.4 KitKat during the month of September.

Samsung Galaxy Android 4.4.4 KitKat Updates

Vodafone Australia, which for two weeks listed a Galaxy S5 Android 4.4.3 KitKat update in testing, now says that the update is Android 4.4.2 KitKat. Typo or last minute change? It’s hard to say at this point but it does look like it will be another version of Android 4.4.2 KitKat that rolls out. And while that’s a bummer, it does clear up a mess left behind by Samsung’s Android updates.

Samsung’s Galaxy Alpha and rumored Galaxy S5 LTE-A for Europe are both running Android 4.4.4 KitKat. We’ve also seen the Android 4.4.4 KitKat update pop up for the Galaxy Note 4 and yesterday, we saw Australian carrier Optus seemingly confirm an Android 4.4.4 KitKat update for its Samsung Galaxy S5. That update is expected in the near future though we could see it pull a Vodafone.

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August has been extremely confusing for Samsung users (and us as well) but it looks like the dust has settled. New Galaxy smartphones will come with Android 4.4.4 KitKat and if older devices like the Galaxy S5 do get updated to a new version of KitKat before Android L, we’d expect it to be Android 4.4.4 KitKat and not Android 4.4.3.

Don’t get your hopes up but with a Galaxy Note 4 launch on the way, we could see Samsung detail its plans for Android 4.4 KitKat or Android L on stage next to the new Galaxy Note.

Sony Android 4.4.4 KitKat Roll Out Remains Healthy

The Sony Android 4.4.4 KitKat update has continued to roll out to select versions of the Xperia Z1, Xperia Z1 Compact, and Xperia Z Ultra. Even the T-Mobile Xperia Z1s is currently running the new Android 4.4.4 KitKat update. The roll outs all depend on region and carrier testing so the releases have been extremely unpredictable.

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What’s more is that new information points to an Android 4.4.4 KitKat update for the Xperia Z, also known as the C6603. It also looks like the Android 4.4.4 KitKat update will push out to the Xperia Z, ZL, ZR and Tablet Z in the future as well. We don’t expect these updates to land in August so it looks like Sony’s Android 4.4.4 KitKat update push could stretch into September and beyond as it works to get devices upgraded ahead of Android L.

Sony’s August, like Motorola’s, has been extremely fruitful and the company continues to deliver fast paced upgrades and pertinent information to its Xperia smartphone and tablet owners. Hopefully, this speed and openness continues.

2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. warren

    08/29/2014 at 3:58 pm

    What about tablet updates? Samsung Note 2010 US edition?

  2. mike

    09/05/2014 at 7:52 pm

    Ya know, Google will never be a serious contender with apple if they keep putting out crap like Kitkat. Why cant companies just see what is succesfull, what people want? Oh, thats right……….GREED. almost forgot. Still waiting for my LG Kitkat sd card fix. I have barely any apps and im at 90%
    Im ging of this train at the next Apple stop. Byeeeeeee Android.

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