One developer has managed to install AOSP KitKat on Google Glass
While the previous version of Google Glass is managed to install 4.4 KitKat on Glass.
New Android distribution numbers show Lollipop gaining more ground than Marshmallow
Google has released the latest distribution numbers for the various shipping versions of Android, with the latest version, Marshmallow, picking up a marginal increase.
Last month’s numbers showed Android 6.0 running on only 0.3% of devices, while this month’s chart puts it at 0.5%, making it the least-used version of Android except for Froyo.
Final snapshot releases of CyanogenMod 11.0 and 12.0 going live tonight
CyanogenMod today announced that it is pushing the final snapshot releases of both CM11.0 and 12.0 live. In a blog post, the company notes that both the CM11.0 and CM12.0 have seen improvements in stability and security, but not much else as focus has shifted to CM12.1.
The company defended its release of another CM11.0 build, which is based on Android 4.4 KitKat, by saying that many users have been slow to update to CM12.0 for whatever reason. Nightly builds for CM11 and CM12 will be slowly phased out as development further shifts to CM12.1, which is based on Android 5.1.
Why another CM11 build? Rather surprisingly, many users have been slow to upgrade to L – whether due to the lack of a snapshot release or adverse reaction to the Material design, we don’t know. The meager stats that we have show that there is a rather large contingency of users who are sticking to CM11 as their release channel of choice, so we felt compelled to give a release showcasing all the work that went into that branch to make it ship ready.
More details can be found in the blog post on the CyanogenMod website.
Nestle and Google partner to rebrand KitKat packaging as “YouTube Break”
Nestle announced in a press release today that it is partnering with YouTube for a limited edition version of KitKat. No, that’s not Android 4.4 KitKat, but rather the popular candy bar. As part of the partnership, Nestle will produce over 600,000 limited edition KitKat wrappers with the branding “YouTube Break.” Nestle says this is the biggest change in package design for KitKat since its inception 80 years ago.
Amazon Fire Phone gets KitKat, Bluetooth LE support in update to Fire OS version 4.6.1
The infamous Amazon Fire Phone is getting a substantial update today, bringing the device from Android Jelly Bean (yes, Jelly Bean) up to the almost not-ancient Android 4.4 Kit Kat. With this version of Android, the phone is getting a plethora of new features that—almost—help bring it into 2015.
CyanogenMod builds now available for Android One devices
CyanogenMod has announced in a three Android One devices available, all of which are now supported by CyanogenMod 11.
All of Sony’s Qualcomm-based 2014 Xperia devices now support KitKat AOSP
In a developer blog post this morning, Sony announced that developers can now build custom versions of Android for all 2014 Xperia devices with a Qualcomm processor. This is made possible through Google’s AOSP (Android Open Source Project), a project dedicated to keeping Android open and giving developers the power to build their own custom ROMs.
Android distribution data updated for December, KitKat hits 34% usage
Google, as it does at the beginning of every month, has last month. Every other Android version, as a result, fell in usage.
Android KitKat reaches 30.2% usage in November as Jelly Bean continues to decline
The latest Android distribution numbers for a seven-day period ending November 3rd reveal that KitKat is installed on 30.2% of devices that accessed the Play Store during the last week. Meanwhile, the distribution of the over two-year-old Jelly Bean version continued to decline, but remains the leading platform, with a 50.1% share.
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Android 4.4.4 rolling out for Xperia Z-series devices and Sprint model of Galaxy Note 3
Z-series devices.
[tweet https://twitter.com/SonyMobileNews/status/509297533328584704]
Sony says there are “many improvements” in the upgrade, with better battery performance in background applications and improved email stability & performance Z3 and Z3 Compact.
Galaxy Note 3 owners on the Sprint network should also receive a 4.4.4 update today.
The Android 4.4.4 update will bring international Wi-Fi calling, version 2.0 of KNOX, and the Kids Mode feature that debuted on the Galaxy S5, along with bug fixes and security patches from Google.
Samsung of course recently launched the Quad HD Galaxy Note 4.
Want to get Android updates quickly? These are the brands & carriers to buy and avoid …
KitKat launch date of 31st October 2013, arsTechnica measured how long it took for the earliest available OTA update for devices originally sold with an earlier version of Android, starting with the previous-generation flagship devices.
The winner for update times is, of course, the Nexus line. Stock software and a head start from being Google got KitKat out the door in just 14 days.
As for everyone else, how quickly they update seems to depend on how complicated their skin is and how much they take advantage of the update mechanisms Google has created …
First review of Samsung’s newly announced Galaxy Alpha is already live, camera samples included
Just recently, Samsung official unveiled its Galaxy Alpha smartphone and there’s already a full review to read through. We’ve already gone through most of the need-to-know information in our announcement article, but nothing beats pure human interaction and opinion, right?
Sony rolling out Android 4.4 update for Xperia E1 & E1 Dual
Sony just announced that users of its Xperia E1 and Xperia E1 Dual smartphones will soon get access to Android 4.4 KitKat as the update begins rolling out today. As it has already done with some of its other devices, the update to KitKat also comes with other Sony specific features including new Status Bar and Quick Settings features, animations and live wallpapers similar to the PlayStation 4, and much more:
- Google’s Android 4.4; KitKat as standard – bringing performance & UI optimisation…
- We’ve added our tweaked Status Bar and Quick Settings… now more intuitive and customisable (and pretty easy on the eye)… cleaned up to ensure you only get the notifications you really need
- If you’ve got a Sony PlayStation 4, you might recognize our new user interface – we’ve added the same sleek launch animation and livewallpaper across the lock and home screens
- Better storage choice – you now have the option to easily move applications from internal memory to SD card – we recognised the need to have more control over your content… as something particularly useful for devices with slightly less space
- We’re also uplifting Sony’s entire native app portfolio to the latest versions – bringing tweaked / improved / current experiences for (to name but a few): Messaging, Smart Connect, TrackID, Sony Select, and Battery STAMINA Mode, Sony’s Media apps: WALKMAN, Album and Movies
- And proving pretty popular, now totaling over 2 million downloads (!) – our unique custom interface experience: “Xperia Themes”, with downloadable UI packs from Sony Select – skin up to 280 assets across your Xperia smartphone with a variety of styles…
Sony notes that its next device to get the update will be the Xperia M2 & M2 Dual. As always, the update will hit users at different times depending on your carrier and market.
Android 4.4.4 now available for T-Mobile’s Sony Xperia Z1
Android 4.4.4 is now available to Lifelog app.
Android 4.4.4 now available for UK version of the Moto G
The push for Android 4.4.4 continues with UK changelog outlining what people can expect. As seen with other devices, Android 4.4.4 patches a potential OpenSSL hole, and offers some stability improvements, however the Moto G has also managed to score a few extras.
Sony rolls out Android 4.4 KitKat for Xperia T2 Ultra alongside new features
Sony today announced it’s rolling out a new software update for the Xperia T2 Ultra & Xperia T2 Ultra Dual that brings Android 4.4 KitKat alongside other features to the devices.
You’ll also notice a few other goodies in the update aside from KitKat, including: Sony’s newly tweaked Status Bar and customizable Quick Settings, a new UI and animations similar to those on the PS4, Xperia Themes, and a number of improvements to some of the company’s stock apps:
We’re also uplifting Sony’s entire native app portfolio to the latest versions – bringing tweaked / improved / current experiences for (to name but a few): Messaging, MyXperia, Smart Connect, Small apps, TrackID, TrackID TV, Sony Select, Smart Social Camera and…Sony’s Media apps: WALKMAN, Album and Movies, with Sony Entertainment Network cloud service integration* – a more converged and full Sony entertainment experience – Sony Entertainment Network & PlayMemories integration with a more intuitive UI, better download speeds, and more!
The update also brings support for Sony’s “SmartWear Experience” with the Lifelog app.
A full list of what’s new in today’s update is below:
- Google’s Android 4.4; KitKat as standard – bringing performance & UI optimisation…
- We’ve added our tweaked Status Bar and Quick Settings… now more intuitive and customisable (and pretty easy on the eye)… cleaned up to ensure you only get the notifications you really need
- If you’ve got a Sony PlayStation 4, you might recognize our new user interface – we’ve added the same sleek launch animation and livewallpaper across the lock and home screens
- We’re also uplifting Sony’s entire native app portfolio to the latest versions – bringing tweaked / improved / current experiences for (to name but a few): Messaging, MyXperia, Smart Connect, Small apps, TrackID, TrackID TV, Sony Select, Smart Social Camera and…
- Sony’s Media apps: WALKMAN, Album and Movies, with Sony Entertainment Network cloud service integration* – a more converged and full Sony entertainment experience – Sony Entertainment Network & PlayMemories integration with a more intuitive UI, better download speeds, and more!
- And proving pretty popular, now totaling over 2 million downloads (!) – our unique custom interface experience: “Xperia Themes”, with downloadable UI packs from Sony Select – skin up to 280 assets across your Xperia smartphone with a variety of styles…
- Compatibility with our SmartWear Experience; Lifelog app – enabling you to record social, physical and entertainment activities and have them all visualised in a beautiful interface… reminisce at that past, make the best of the present and plan for the future
Sony says you can expect the update to arrive for other devices, including M2 dual variants), in the near future.
Samsung rolling out Android 4.4.2 KitKat update to Galaxy S4 Zoom
Samsung had added another smartphone to its lineup of devices that will be receiving an update to Android 4.4.2 KitKat. The software version is now rolling out for the Galaxy S4 Zoom in Russia, bringing faster performance, a redesigned status bar, full-screen album art and all other Android 4.4 features to the smartphone.
The Galaxy K Zoom could also be in the mix to receive the software update, although it has yet to be seeded for that device. Android 4.4.2 KitKat should be available for the Galaxy S4 Zoom in other regions over the next few weeks, although you can also navigate to Settings > About Phone > Software Updates to force an install.
Firmware Details:
• Model: SM-C101
• Model name: GALAXY S4 Zoom
• Country: Russia
• Version: Android 4.4.2
• Changelist: 1972456
• Build date: Tue, 17 Jun 2014 16:08:42 +0000
• Product Code: SER
• PDA: C101XXUBNF4
• CSC: C101SERBNF4
• MODEM: C101XXUBNF4
It’s official: Samsung Galaxy S5 mini announcement, specifications, and release date
Samsung has officially announce its best “mini” revision of a device that Samsung has released to date. Unfortunately, not everyone will be able to pick one up right away.
Android L keyboard ported to rooted devices running KitKat
If you’re feeling down because your phone isn’t eligible for the XDA Developers have managed to pull its fancy Material Design-themed keyboard and port it to other smartphones.
Alleged early screenshots of the “L version of Android leak
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Reddit user Doopl has come across two screenshots of what appears to be the “L” release of Android. The screenshots come via the Chromium Issue Tracker, which has been the source of leaks many times in the past. The images show a Google login dialog box that looks entirely different than what you’ll currently see on an Android 4.4 device.
Android 4.4.4 over-the-air update now live for Nexus devices
Almost immediately following the pandemonium that was the factory images of its newest version of Android, so device updates were pretty much inevitable. The new release only weighs in at 2.5MB and is believed to squash a few bugs that were missed by its predecessor.
Android 4.4.3 over-the-air update slowly hitting Nexus devices