Feature rich Android 4.4 KitKat gives low-end Android phones some loving too

Google finally announced the Nexus 5 as well as the newest iteration of Android, named KitKat. Android version 4.4 brings along some important, under-the-hood changes that aims to improve the way you use your Android phone.

What’s most important about Android KitKat is that Google has decided to take lower-end Android phones into the fold along with it. Until now, memory constraints and resource utlisation by newer versions of the OS had prevented some lower-spec phones from enjoying new Android releases.

Google has slimmed down Android’s memory footprints be removing “unnecessary” background services and reducing memory consumption. This, says Google, has been done not just within Android but also Google services like Chrome and YouTube. Essentially, KitKat will now comfortably be able to run on a phone with merely 512MB of RAM, bringing Android to “the next billion smartphone users”. Android chief Sundar Pichai explains, “People generally launch new versions of operating systems and they need more memory. Not with KitKat. We’ve taken it and made it run all the way back on entry level phones. We have one version of the OS that’ll run across all Android smartphones in 2014.”

Some real sleek changes

While the visual changes are not too drastic with KitKat, there are some striking changes that you will notice. First up, you will see that translucency is now a part of the home screen. The top bar as well as the bottom now sport translucent bars that are easy on the eyes. There is no line separating the dock and the screen anymore.

You will also be able to rearrange home screens and there’s an interesting looking “now playing” content on the lock screen. KitKat is bringing along a whole new Dialer app with integrated search functionality. Say,  you need to search for the phone number of a restaurant whose number you haven't stored in your address book, you will no longer need a third-party app for this. Instead, you can simply start typing the name on the dialer app and you will be shown the number.

As was talked about earlier, KitKat has a whole new SMS experience. Google’s Hangouts has now truly become a streamlined cross-platform messaging experience with Android 4.4. Google is allowing any developer to add support for cloud services, so you will be able to store your files on the cloud as if you’re doing so locally. Developers will also have the option to hide on screen elements now – the status bar as well as the navigation bars – so you enjoy apps in a full screen “immersive mode”.

With Android 4.4, Google Now has become an unshakeable part of your phone. You can swipe once from your homescreen to summon Google Now and put it to work by saying, “OK Google” to launch voice search, send a text, get directions or even play a song. Google says that in the coming weeks Google Now will be given more teeth with new card types with contextual and topical interests like updates from your favourite blog.

An immersive fullscreen and an integrated message experience

KitKat is also bringing along a new way to handle NFC, that will significantly improve the Google Wallet experience. There also multiple under-the-hood changes like support for new Bluetooth profiles, better interaction with Bluetooth devices, support for low-power sensors that help the device with step-counting apps, a new screen recorder tool to record what’s going on in an app as well as some massive security additions.

So, when will you actually get Android 4.4 KitKat on your devices? Well, that will be in the “coming weeks”. The OS is first launching with the Nexus 5 and will then make its way to devices like the Nexus 4, Nexus 7, Nexus 10, the Google Play editions of Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One. HTC too has announced that the HTC one will be getting the update soon. Sadly, the Galaxy Nexus will not be getting the push to KitKat. As far as other devices go, the onus upon when KitKat hits your phone lies on the manufacturer. Motorola devices like the Moto X are expected to get Android 4.4 KitKat soon.