Connect with us

Android

New Android 4.4.3 KitKat Update Details Emerge Thanks to Sprint

Published

on

New Android 4.4.3 KitKat update details have emerged thanks to Sprint and it would appear that the Android 4.4.3 KitKat release could begin in the near future though a specific release date still remains out of reach for Nexus 5, Nexus 4, Nexus 7, and Nexus 10 users.

For weeks, Android 4.4.3 KitKat rumors have run rampant, teasing Nexus 7, Nexus 5, Nexus 4, Nexus 10, and owners of Google’s Play Edition devices with tales of what’s to come after Android 4.4.2 KitKat. And while rumors have zeroed in on the Android 4.4.3 KitKat update’s features, target devices, and more, Google still isn’t ready to talk about its next Android 4.4 KitKat update. Sprint, however, is.

Last week, we saw Sprint announce a new Android update for its Nexus 5, an update that the carrier confirmed to be Android 4.4.3. The build, KTU84F, also corresponded to leaked Android 4.4.3 KitKat build number that sources said was likely the final version of Android 4.4.3 KitKat from Google. In other words, Sprint confirmed Android 4.4.3 KitKat before Google confirmed the update.

Sprint said that the update would be rolling out to Nexus 5 owners in waves from April 14th to April 21st. Problem was, the update never arrived for Nexus 5 owners, even after customer service agents starting tell Sprint Nexus 5 users that the update was indeed live and that it was pushing out incrementally.

nexus-5-review

At the end of last week, Sprint’s Nexus 5 Android 4.4.3 KitKat update disappeared from its support page. At the time, the carrier did offer Nexus 5 owners any answers in regard to the disappearance, leaving Nexus 5 users and owners of all Nexus devices extremely puzzled.

Fortunately, it now appears that Sprint wants to clear things up for Nexus 5 users and those who are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Android 4.4.3 KitKat. The carrier has plastered a new message on the Nexus 5’s community page in bold red print. The note says that thanks “to an issue with the software, this update has been put on hold. Will update this post as soon as the rollout resumes.”

We assume that this means that Google encountered a problem with the update and that the carrier was forced to delay its release last week. It’s not exactly clear. A Sprint customer service representative offers some more detailed information and claims that:

An issue was found with software and hence the reason for pulling out this update. My understanding is a new software update will come out very soon. I will update this space with that information as soon as I can. I apologize for the delay.

In other words, the Android 4.4.3 KitKat release is still imminent but Sprint is still not clear about when the update will actually arrive for Nexus 5 users and beyond. Google typically does not issue specific release date information ahead of time so it could be that Sprint users, and other Nexus users, are flying in the dark until Google works out the kinks.

Android 4.4.3 KitKat release evidence continues to mount. Google recently updated its Edu Device Setup application on the Google Play Store. It was updated two days ago and the device’s change log includes the following references:

  • Support for new Google Spreadsheets
  • Support for Android 4.4.3 and non-Nexus Tablets
  • Minor UI updates and bug fixes

We’ve also seen the Sony Xperia Z Ultra Google Play Edition show up in a new Bluetooth certification with Android 4.4.3 KitKat update on board. This doesn’t confirm any imminent release but it does seem to confirm information that pointed to an Android 4.4.3 KitKat release for Nexus devices in addition to Google Play Edition devices.

Android 4.4.3 KitKat itself is expected to be an enormous bug fix update for Nexus users, featuring more than three dozen bug fixes for Android 4.4.2 problems. Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7, and Nexus 10 users have been complaining about Android 4.4.2 KitKat issues since November and the problems have continued to pile up since its release.

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

While the official Google Android 4.4.3 change log remains unknown, a recent leak detailed many of the fixes that will be coming on board the upcoming update.

The unofficial change log suggests that it will come with a fix for unstable data connections, improved camera focus, a fix for random reboot issues, a fix for missed call LED problems, VPN fixes, and much more. The Android 4.4.3 KitKat update isn’t expected to bring any new features to the table which means that Nexus users will likely have to wait for Google’s next Android update for those.

android_kitkat-575x383

Google’s next Android update is rumored to be Android 4.5. The new Android update is rumored to be coming in July, after Google I/O, alongside a brand new Nexus devices, rumored to be a larger Nexus 8. The Nexus 8 is thought to be a replacement for the Nexus 7 and feature high-end hardware and quite possibly, new software as well.

Android 4.5 rumors remain scarce though there is a chance that the update could be accompanied by design changes in addition to new features.

Thanks, Brian!

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.