Android 4.4 KitKat [Review]

[geeteam]

Android 4.4 KitKat - all the new features review

New dialer and smart Caller ID

It's a phone, right? RIGHT? That's why we are starting it off with a completely new dialer system in the Peope app that automatically suggests the people you are most likely to call, which can come in very handy when you are in a hurry. Not only that, but the new Caller ID from Google matches phone numbers that dial you with businesses it pulls automagically from Google's vast database of addresses and contact numbers, even if you don't have the contact stored in the phonebook.

Running on low

There are millions of Android devices out there that don't even have 1 GB of RAM, which seems to be the bare minimum with Android smartphones these days. The streamlined Android 4.4 KitKat default apps and launcher address these 512 MB warriors, letting them take advantage of the new features, for which we are sure their owners will be eternally grateful, and hope their makers will take notice. We also have optimized multitasking and improved touch responsiveness, for the best performing Android version ever.

New icons, lock screen, boot animation and color scheme

The cyan Holo industrial interface color scheme is now replaced with a white/gray setup that is less distinguishable, but simpler and more minimalistic, which has been Google's aim all along to bring down that resource usage. The default iconography is different now, too, with a flatter design, and we have a new boot animation as well, as well as an improved lock screen with a camera shortcut.

Say "OK, Google"

Google is introducing pseudo always-on voice search with KitKat, and a new way to get to Google Now. We say pseudo, because you can activate voice search from your homescreen with a key phrase without even touching the display, but it works only on the Nexus 5 for now. Otherwise you can swipe from your homescreen to get to Google Now, and speak the phrase "OK, Google" there.

Hangouts and messaging integration

Google's Hangouts IM service now lets you send text messaged and MMS as well, from within its interface, and threads all your conversations with a contact, regardless of the channel they went through. You can also post GIFs, and use the Autoawesome feature to brighten your video chat sessions with Hangouts.

Immersion mode

Navigation can get out of the way now in any app that is best used full screen, like when you are reading, for example. Swiping from the edge of the display will bring back the status bar and navigation buttons. We praised a similar feature in Huawei's Emotion UI, and obviously Google has come to the conclusion how useful it can be to pop and hide distractions anywhere you like in Android.

Stock keyboard gets Emoji

A picture is worth a thousand words, that's why the default Android keyboard now gets those colorful Japanese symbols dubbed Emoji, for when you are too bothered to type "cactus".

Storage access framework

You can open and save files and images from/to your phone or tablet, Google Drive and a plethora of other storage services, whatever picks your fancy, utilising the new storage framework with staples like the Gallery or QuickOffice. There is a list of recent files everywhere to pick up where you left off quicker.

Wireless printing

You can print photos, documents, and web pages from your phone or tablet wirelessly now. Naturally, Google Cloud Print is supported, and from the other gear, HP ePrint machines will work with this out of the box. We'd wager to bet other printer makers will quickly add their wireless printing apps to the Google Play Store, too.

Easy launcher swap and full screen wallpapers

Finally we get a way to easily browse between the stock and installed launchers, or "homescreen replacements", as Google calls it. Just go to Settings>Home, and you'll switch from Apex to Nova to your stock KitKat homescreen in a jiffy.

Screen Recording

Android 4.4 adds support for screen recording and provides a screen recording utility that lets you capture video as you use the device and store it as an MP4 file. You can record at any device-supported resolution and bitrate you want, and the output retains the aspect ratio of the display. To prevent piracy, Google says devs can add a simple code flag which would likely black out the content area or halt recording.

Closed captioning and device management built-in

Step detector, step counter and sensor batching

Android KitKat collects sensor logs and delivers them in batches for processing, thus dramatically reducing battery consumption even on devices without dedicated sensors for motion or speech processing. In addition, the Nexus 5 includes step detectors for pedometer and other fitness apps to take advantage of, and Google is working with chipset manufacturers to include those in their future gear as well.

Music and video seek from lock screen, low-power audio and location modes

New Tap-to-pay payments system

Google Wallet hasn't taken off for various reasons, but with Android 4.4 KitKat the goal is to make mobile payments easier than ever. Any app on an Android device can emulate an NFC smart card now, letting users tap to initiate transactions with just the phone and an app of their choice.

New Bluetooth profiles support and IR blaster APIs

Android 4.4 support for two new Bluetooth profiles to let apps support a broader range of low-power and media interactions. Bluetooth HID gives apps a low-latency link with low-power peripheral devices such as mice, joysticks, and keyboards. Bluetooth MAP lets your apps exchange messages with a nearby device, for example an automotive terminal.

Android 4.4 also introduces platform support for built-in IR blasters, along with a new API and system service that let you create apps to take advantage them.Using the new API, you can build apps that let users remotely control nearby TVs, tuners, switches, and other electronic devices. The API lets your app check whether the phone or tablet has an infrared emitter, query it's carrier frequencies, and then send infrared signals.

Because the API is standard across Android devices running Android 4.4 or higher, your app can support the broadest possible range of vendors without writing custom integration code.

Translucent interface styling

Google has thought not only about the functionality, but the looks with Android 4.4 KitKat, too. Developers can now use new window styles and themes to request translucent system UI, including both the status bar and navigation bar. To ensure the legibility of navigation bar buttons or status bar information, subtle gradients are shown behind the system bars. "A typical use-case would be an app that needs to show through to a wallpaper," says Google.

source: phonearena

via: androiddevelopers

Edited November 1, 2013 by geeteam

[tarekma7]

Thanks for the news

[geeteam]

Thanks for the news

U're Welcome - Dont forget to hit the button B)

[Yorel]

Waiting anxious this version in my Galaxy Nexus 4!!.

Thanks for the post, good work :showoff:

[geeteam]

Waiting anxious this version in my Galaxy Nexus 4!!.

Thanks for the post, good work :showoff:

U're welcome B)

[jtmulc]

Waiting anxious this version in my Galaxy Nexus 4!!.

Thanks for the post, good work :showoff:

So far as I am aware, there's the (Samsung) Galaxy Nexus and the (LG) Nexus 4. Sadly, it looks like the Galaxy Nexus isn't getting the update, possibly due to its Texas Instruments chipset and TI getting out of the phone chipset business. If you have a Nexus 4, you should see the update in a few weeks.

[geeteam]

Waiting anxious this version in my Galaxy Nexus 4!!.

Thanks for the post, good work :showoff:

U're welcome B)

hey theres nothing like Galaxy Nexus 4! is either Samsung's Galaxy Nexus S (Which wont have the update (officially)) or LG's Nexus 4

[Yorel]

Waiting anxious this version in my Galaxy Nexus 4!!.

Thanks for the post, good work :showoff:

So far as I am aware, there's the (Samsung) Galaxy Nexus and the (LG) Nexus 4. Sadly, it looks like the Galaxy Nexus isn't getting the update, possibly due to its Texas Instruments chipset and TI getting out of the phone chipset business. If you have a Nexus 4, you should see the update in a few weeks.

I had a mistake, before I had Samsung Galaxy Nexus (Nexus 3), now (LG) Nexus 4. I haven't tried iPhone yet, but, as geeteam says, Nexus is awesome!!

[jtmulc]

Waiting anxious this version in my Galaxy Nexus 4!!.

Thanks for the post, good work :showoff:

So far as I am aware, there's the (Samsung) Galaxy Nexus and the (LG) Nexus 4. Sadly, it looks like the Galaxy Nexus isn't getting the update, possibly due to its Texas Instruments chipset and TI getting out of the phone chipset business. If you have a Nexus 4, you should see the update in a few weeks.

I had a mistake, before I had Samsung Galaxy Nexus (Nexus 3), now (LG) Nexus 4. I haven't tried iPhone yet, but, as geeteam says, Nexus is awesome!!

I got a Galaxy S when they first came out. I got one OS update to Froyo. After endless waiting, watching forums and rumor sites for months, it was clear I'd never see Gingerbread released for it. Samsung was far more interested in selling me a new phone with the latest version of Android than supporting older phones. I swore my next phone was going to be a Nexus. No carrier apps, no bloatware, and OS updates when they're released, not at the whims of the manufacturer or the carrier. I have been pleased ever since.