New Android 4.4 KitKat, A Review of Features

Google has unwrapped the latest version of android operating system for smartphones and tablets called Android 4.4 KitKat a couple of days back. Google has always opted the names of famous confectionary as the naming convention of their Android series. It was started by giving the name “Cupcake” for Android 1.5, “Donut” for Android 1.6, “Éclair” for Android 2.0, “Froyo” (frozen yoghurt) for Android 2.2, “Gingerbread” for Android 2.3, “Honeycomb” for Android 3.0, “Ice Cream Sandwich” for Android 4.0 version, "JellyBean" for Android 4.1 and now it is the turn of Nestle’s popular candy bar “KitKat” for the latest version of Android 4.4. With the KitKat version Google has improved its performance from its previous variants, added new features and functions and associated new software and apps to go in line with the expectations of the new generation of users who are the well targeted customers

Google Now: It is Google’s intelligent virtual assistant and helps users for smart search. Google has fixed an integrated voice search in Android KitKat which can understand the voice commands and gives instant responses. One can also activate the phone without touching it by just sying “OK Google”. It supports voice search, send a text, get driving directions or play songs with this voice command feature.

Full Screen Album Art: The Album Art fearure will display in a full screen format on the lock screen while playing a song or streaming the Chromecast.

Immersive Mode: Users can experience a full screen effect while reading a ebook or browsing the internet or watching a movie or playing a game. The notification bar at top and the menu bar at the bottom will disappear when the app is put into a full screen mode. Swiping on the edges will brings back the status bar and menu bar on the screen.

Improvised Multtasking: Google claims that the Android 4.4 KitKat version outputs better performance by optimizing memory and make better the display and it can perform more better and faster.

Priority Contacts: There is a new app in the Android KitKat which can automatically prioritise contacts based on the call log of the user.

Built in Device Manager: The Android device manager which comes as built-in with the Android KitKat, can locate and remotely wipe the device.

Improved Caller ID: If you are receiving calls from numbers which are not listed in the phone book, android KitKat wil look for best possible matches from businesses with a local listing on Google Maps.

Hangouts for SMS and MMS: The new Hangouts app will keep all the SMS and MMS messages together in the same place along with other conversations and video calls.

Emoji on Google Keyboard: Android KitKat will bring the popular Emoji characters to the default Android keyboard.

Printing: The new Android KitKat provides better possibilities for printing documents, web pages and photos directly from the phone or tablet. One can connect the device to any printer which are connected to Google Cloud Print and trigger the print command.

Support for Lower end Devices: In the new Android KitKat version Google has taken the steps to minimize fragmentation and also to reduce the minimum system requirements for Android 4.4 KitKat. This will helps to run the KitKat on much lower power devices.

Low Power Sensors without Battery Drain: KitKat also features support for low power sensors using “Hardware Sensor Batching”. This helps the device to prevent from power draining and maintain good battery backup.

Google has launched its much awaited Nexus 5 smartphone with the Android 4.4 KitKat across the global markets. In the coming weeks the Android 4.4 KitKat version will be available to more devices which are already being used. Users of Nexus 4, 7, 10, Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One Google Play edition devices can expect the roll out of new Android 4.4 KitKat in the coming weeks.