Android
Samsung Finally Rolls Out Android 4.4.4 KitKat
The Samsung Galaxy Android 4.4.4 KitKat update release has begun though its not the Galaxy S5 Android 4.4.4 KitKat update that’s rolling out. Instead, its an obscure version of the company’s Galaxy S3 Android 4.4.4 KitKat update that is first to market ahead of the Android L release that’s expected to arrive sometime in the weeks ahead.
Back in June, Google rolled out two new Android 4.4 KitKat updates in Android 4.4.3 KitKat and Android 4.4.4 KitKat. Both were, and still are, bug fixers aimed at quelling Android 4.4.2 KitKat problems. We’ve seen several Android manufacturers make it a point to deliver these two updates in a timely manner though Samsung, the world’s largest Android manufacturer, lagged behind.
While Samsung Galaxy Android 4.4.4 KitKat updates are still lagging behind the pack, we’ve at least seen a number of new details emerge in recent weeks including today’s surprise Galaxy S3 Neo Android 4.4.4 KitKat update release.
Today, according to SamMobile, Samsung started rolling out the Galaxy S3 Neo Android 4.4.4 KitKat update in Kazakhstan. The update is available Over-the-Air and it’s available through the company’s Samsung Kies software for PC. It’s not clear what’s on board though the update is expected to deliver crucial bug fixes for Android 4.4.2 KitKat problems.
The roll out is a bit strange given that the Galaxy S3 Neo isn’t a big name device and given that Kazakhstan is not a focus region. It’s also strange given the Galaxy S3’s Android 4.4 KitKat update situation. The Galaxy S3 Android 4.4 update has only rolled out to a few devices in a few regions though this could perhaps be the start of a broader roll out.
Samsung’s first Galaxy Android 4.4.4 KitKat update should spread to other Galaxy S3 Neo users in the future and we expect this update to be the first of several now that we’ve confirmed more Galaxy Android 4.4.4 KitKat updates for arrival.
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 confirmed for the Galaxy Note 4. Earlier this week, we also saw Australian carrier Optus confirm an Android 4.4.4 KitKat update for its Samsung Galaxy S5 though a release date remains unclear.
We’ve also confirmed the Sprint Galaxy S5 Android 4.4.4 KitKat update for arrival in the United States. The Sprint Galaxy S5 Android 4.4.4 KitKat update was discovered inside a User Agent Profile string on Sprint’s website. And while that update is now confirmed to be in testing behind the scenes, it’s still not clear when Sprint plans to release it.
Then, yesterday, with the help of our friends at XDA-Developers, we spotted another U.S. bound Android 4.4.4 KitKat update. The Sprint Galaxy Note 3 Android 4.4.4 KitKat update is now confirmed to be in testing as it too is listed inside of an RDF file on Sprint’s website. The User Agent Profile confirms the Galaxy Note 3 Android 4.4.4 KitKat update but it does not confirm the release date.
Like the Sprint Galaxy S5 Android 4.4.4 KitKat situation, a specific release date is not known. Sprint is well known for being first to major Android upgrades and it would not be surprising to see it beat out its fellow U.S. carriers to the Galaxy Note 3 Android 4.4.4 KitKat upgrade.
What’s clear though is that today’s surprise Android 4.4.4 KitKat update roll out is the first of what should be several Android 4.4.4 KitKat releases for Samsung Galaxy smartphones and perhaps, tablets as well. Unfortunately, we still haven’t seen any details regarding Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3, or Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.4.4 KitKat upgrades surface and it’s not clear if Samsung has any plans for them ahead of Google’s Android L update.
Google’s Android L update was first announced at Google I/O 2014 back in June. And while the update is available in beta form for developers, it’s still without a public release date. Rumors point to an arrival later this year though that remains unconfirmed. And while companies like HTC and Motorola have confirmed upcoming Android L releases, Android L details still haven’t emerged for Samsung Galaxy devices.
For now, users must contend with Android 4.4.4 KitKat and below.
Shawne
09/05/2014 at 11:09 am
I have had my phone since 06/07/2014. It worked fine until it didn’t. I called AT&T because the phone was freezing up. I was advised to do a hard reset. Bad idea. Once I did the hard reset, my phone would not stay powered on. It would power off just sitting on the table untouched. I had to call AT&T back to get a warranty replacement which was a “certified like new” device. Fancy name for refurbished which means someone else had the phone and had problems and they called themselves fixing it but not. Today, AT&T pushed out an automatic update which caused my “certified like new” phone to act a lot like my old defective phone. Now I am waiting on a new “certified like new” phone to be sent to me. In the meantime, I have no phone!!!!
Jan
09/06/2014 at 8:56 am
Let me see if I understand this. Samsung had a big announcement about some new products earlier this week for whatever reason and the release on Kitkat 4.4.4 as seen in the article above. I purchased my Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (GT-N8013), which “WAS” their flagship product at the time, and they announced that it was to get Kitkat 4.4.2 about 6 to 8 months ago. As of yesterday (9/5/2014) my GT-N8013 id still running Jelly Bean (4.1.2) while Samsung has flooded the marketplace with numerous new phones and tablets. I am not sure that Samsung will be my product of choice in the future because it appears as if Samsung is attempting to get me to purchase a new produce rather that to update the current product.
Joey Smith
09/07/2014 at 10:56 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 (It is a shit)!!!!!!!!!!!!
kesha
09/06/2014 at 1:22 pm
I got this note/tablet and the volume levels sucks. I can’t hear the speakers loud. If I knew then wat I know now I wouldn’t have got it. Overall I like the phone just the volume n the internet sucks badly.