Various Moto X, Moto G and Moto E Devices to See Android 4.4.3 Updates This Week
Motorola has announced via their official blog that they will begin rolling out Android 4.4.3 to the Moto X, Moto G and Moto E this week. The breakdown is a bit more interesting though, here is what Motorola had to say in regards to which version of the devices will be getting it.
- Moto X T-Mobile users
- Moto G users who bought online in the U.S. (includes Moto G 4G LTE) and at retail in Brazil
- Moto E users who bought online in the U.S. For Moto E users, you are still up for the next major Android update as well. Consider this the cherry on top.
Not as cut and dry as you would think. The update will include the fancy new dialer that has been talked about to death already in the last 24 hours. Not to mention several stability, framework, security fixes and enhancements to the power profile capabilities. All that means is it should be faster with less issues and stay charged longer.
In addition to the boost to 4.4.3, there are a number of little changes that will be made to each device during the update process as well. The Moto X will see better image quality, more realistic flash coloring and improved photos in low light conditions with the front camera. Both the Moto X and Moto G will gain a “pause/resume” button while taking videos and motorola Alert.
Source: Motorola Blog via Phandroid
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Dell debuts Venue 7 and 8 Android tablets
Dell has been mainly releasing Windows Phone devices along with their Chromebooks. They haven’t released an Android tablet since October last year, now they finally have something to show us in the Android department. Those devices mentioned above are Dell Venue 7 and 8 tablets. Well, today Dell released a refresh for said devices.
Dell Venue 7 is a tablet with a 7″ IPS WXGA screen 1280×800 in resolution. The device is powered by a dual-core Intel Atom (Z3460) “Merrifield” chip clocked at 1.6GHz which is paired with a 1GB of RAM. Dell Venue 8 on the other hand features a full HD 8″ screen, 1920×1200 in resolution. It has a same processor as its smaller counterpart but at a higher clock-rate, it is clocked at 2.1GHz and it also sports a 1GB of RAM.
Both tablets have 16GB of inbuilt storage (expandable via microSD card up to 64GB) and a 4550mAh battery along with a 5MP main camera. Dell Venue 7 sports a 1MP front shooter while the larger of the two has a 2MP front-facing camera. Dell Venue 7 weights 290 grams and the 8″ version is somewhat heavier at 338 grams. Both tablets will run Android 4.4 KItKat out of the box.
Both Dell Venue 7 and 8 look rather good and even though specifications aren’t exactly up to par with some of the higher end offerings we can’t complain much considering the price which is $159.99 and $199.99 respectively. The devices will be available in black and red colour options and will be available on Dell’s online store starting July 1st.
VIA: Dell
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KitKat rolling out to Sony Xperia Z, ZL, ZR and Tablet Z
Earlier today we’ve reported that HTC One (M7) is getting updated in Europe and now we have another major manufacturer doing the updating as announced earlier this year.
Sony is rolling out Android 4.4 KitKat to Sony Xperia Z, ZL, ZR and Tablet Z devices. Sony pointed out that the rollout will vary depending on the market, which is expected of course. When done with the listed devices this Japan based giant plans on giving the KItKat treatment to its midrange offerings such as Xperia E1, Xperia T2 Ultra and Xperia M2. Sony is usually extremely late when updating its devices so this is a good sign.
Full update changelog:
- Google’s Android 4.4; KitKat as standard – bringing improved performance & user interface (UI) optimisation…
- If you’ve got a Sony PlayStation 4, you might recognize our new user interface – we’ve added the same sleek launch animation and live wallpaper across the lock and home screens. You’ll also spot a revamped Status Bar and Quick Settings… now more intuitive and customisable (also with a fresh new look)… cleaned up to ensure you only get the notifications you really need
- As you might expect, we’re also uplifting Sony’s entire native app portfolio to the latest versions bringing tweaked / improved / current experiences for one and all… some of our favourites look like:
- Messaging – a few UI adjustments here & there, including a slicker “send” animation, and deeper Emoji support for some expressive fun… also worth noting, you’ll find smileys wherever there’s an app with a keyboard
- Email – you’ll be able to both load and see more mails… but don’t fret, navigation of said load is easier with a more responsive viewing pane – split screen modes divide info for easy digest… especially useful / works a treat on Xperia Tablet Z
- Smart Social Camera – our social imaging experience makes its debut on our first Z Series devices; a selection of Xperia Camera apps directly accessible from your viewfinder… including personal favourite “Creative Effect”, and more for download to boot!
- Battery STAMINA Mode – level-upping our unique power management feature, bringing smarter data management & more for prolonging your juice
- 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; SmartBand SWR10 and 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
SOURCE: Sony
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Sony Xperia T2 Ultra, E1 and M2 Slated for KitKat in July
Earlier this morning Sony announced that four devices (Xperia Z, ZL, ZR and Tablet Z) all have Android 4.4 KitKat updates rolling out. In the end of their announcement found on their blog they also let loose a few other devices that will be picking up some KitKat goodness.
The Sony Xperia T2 Ultra, Xperia E1 and Xperia M2 (and dual variants) are all slated for a KitKat update sometime in July. Those three devices will most likely end up with many of the same functions and features that are built into the currently rolling KitKat update like the revamped UI, Status Bar and Quick Settings menu. It certainly seems like Sony has really been stepping up its game in the software update depart over the last year. It is a nice surprise to see, now if the carriers all get on board to push the update is a different story.
Via Sony Blog
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KitKat Rolling Out for AT&T LG Optimus G Pro
There are certainly a slew of happy KitKat users floating around the globe right now. Over the last couple of weeks we have seen a plethora of updates hit devices. Sony was the most recent with a big push on four devices that started rolling ut today. Now AT&T is pushing out a KitKat update for their LG Optimus G Pro.
The update is being pushed out in typical OTA fashion and could take a little time to get to every device that is still out there and in use. The update package size is being listed between 700 – 800 MBs. So you will easily want Wi-Fi and some time to kill for the download.
What’s changing?
- Restyled status and navigation bars
- New full-screen mode
- Stronger security
- Battery performance improvements
- Google Cloud Printer support
- Enhanced processing speed
Anyone still rocking a stock LG Optimus G Pro as their daily driver out there?
Source: AT&T Via AndroidCentral
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Android 4.4 Starts to Roll Out for Sony Xperia Z, ZL, ZR and Tablet Z
It is always nice to see an OEM stick to their promises. Just over a month ago Sony’s blog announced that the Sony Xperia Z, ZL, ZR and Xperia Tablet Z would all be getting Android 4.4 in May. Well, May is here and 3/4 of the way over and Sony has announced that the update is finally starting to roll out.
Img via Robert Forslund
On Sony’s blog they outline that the Android 4.4 KitKat update for the devices named above has started today for select markets with more to follow in coming weeks. The update brings in all the usual Android 4.4 goods and fixes that you might have been watching everyone else enjoy. It also offers up a revamped Status Bar and Quick Settings panel.
-
As you might expect, we’re also uplifting Sony’s entire native app portfolio to the latest versions bringing tweaked / improved / current experiences for one and all… some of our favourites look like:
-
Messaging – a few UI adjustments here & there, including a slicker “send” animation, and deeper Emoji support for some expressive fun… also worth noting, you’ll find smileys wherever there’s an app with a keyboard
-
-
Email – you’ll be able to both load and see more mails… but don’t fret, navigation of said load is easier with a more responsive viewing pane – split screen modes divide info for easy digest… especially useful / works a treat on Xperia Tablet Z
-
Smart Social Camera – our social imaging experience makes its debut on our first Z Series devices; a selection of Xperia Camera apps directly accessible from your viewfinder… including personal favourite “Creative Effect”, and more for download to boot!
-
Battery STAMINA Mode – level-upping our unique power management feature, bringing smarter data management & more for prolonging your juice.
The WALKMAN and Album and Movies media apps are also getting an updated UI and are integrated into the Sony Entertainment Network cloud service with better download speeds and more. The update also makes the slightly older devices compatible with the SmartWare Experience SmartBand SWR10 and Lifelog App.
Unfortunately Sony doesn’t lay down the planned locales and regions for us, but we do know the above image is from the update that Robert just installed this morning in Sweden. It is unclear if the T-Mobile variant of the Xperia Z will be picking this update up or not. The current Xperia Z1s on the network is still sitting on Android 4.3, so I would imagine they would want to start there if they do anything at all.
Any devices owners out there seeing the update? Did you pull it from the PC companion app or via OTA, and where are you located?
Via Sony Blog
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Don’t blame the RAM Samsung, International Galaxy S III and S III Mini won’t be getting KitKat
Umm, excuse me? I certainly do love the corporate world. The Samsung Galaxy S III and Galaxy S III Mini, like some of Samsung’s devices, have shipped with slightly different hardware specs depending on the locale. The Galaxy S III in Europe got the Exynos processor but only 1GB of RAM, where as here in the states we got the Qualcomm processor and 2GB of RAM. This flip-flop of hardware matching poses problems for future updates to the devices Android versions. With U.S. variants seeing KitKat, more questions arose. Like, how did the U.S. see an update before the international version. Seriously, it is usually the other way around. Thankfully we have folks like those found at SamMobile who are all about getting to the bottom of things like this and boy is the response a doozy.
“In order to facilitate an effective upgrade on the Google platform, various hardware performances such as the memory (RAM, ROM, etc.), multi-tasking capabilities, and display must meet certain technical expectations. The Galaxy S3 and S3 mini 3G versions come equipped with 1GB RAM, which does not allow them to effectively support the platform upgrade. As a result of the Galaxy S3 and S3 mini 3G versions’ hardware limitation, they cannot effectively support the platform upgrade while continuing to provide the best consumer experience. Samsung has decided not to roll-out the KitKat upgrade to Galaxy S3 and S3 mini 3G versions, and the KitKat upgrade will be available to the Galaxy S3 LTE version as the device’s 2GB RAM is enough to support the platform upgrade.” – Samsung Mobile UK
As SamMobile points out, as will I, KitKat is very capable of running on 512MB of RAM. That would be the slimmed down more efficient KitKat, not the Samsung TouchWiz filled KitKat. While the International Galaxy S III COULD handle it, it would require Samsung to pull out a lot of their software (Bloatware) to do so. We all know that won’t happen, at least not on the aging S III or S III Mini.
We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if you want to get your International variant of the Galaxy S III past Android 4.3 you should probably look to rooting it and see what the community is up to.
Source: SamMobile
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T-Mobile LG G Flex getting Android 4.4.2 KitKat OTA Update
Tmonews is reporting that the T-Mobile LG G Flex is finally picking up Android 4.4 KitKat today. The update is currently rolling out to owners of the flexible device by way of a typical OTA fashion. The update will bring in the LG Knock Code feature, the one that lets you knock on your screen in a pattern to unlock it. Along with various bug fixes and battery life improvements. The file size is said to be 150MB’s, so Wi-Fi and some time to kill with over 50% battery is a good idea.
Interestingly enough, the update information isn’t finding its way to T-Mobiles Support page just yet. AC must have seen it and I assume TMo pulled it to fix their typo in the Android version number. Either way, it is out there in the wild for some users. Head into Settings > General > About phone > System Updates > Check Now to give it a go. let us know if it pulls down.
Source: ToNews / AndroidCentral / TMo LG G Flex Support
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KitKat update heading out to Verizon Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition
Owners of the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1, the 2014 edition, on the Verizon network are in for an update to their tablet. Verizon has announced that Android 4.4 KitKat is headed to consumers in a typical staged roll out fashion starting today. The update brings in software version KOT49H.P605VVRUCNC2. Along with the bump in Android OS versions, you will also see the following:
UPGRADE THE OS TO ANDROID 4.4 (KIT KAT)
• Immersive Mode automatically provides full screen viewing
• Faster multi-tasking
• Print services for HP ePrint, Google Cloud Print and
other printers in the Google Play Store
• Multi-User Mode allows you to create user accounts and permissions
for others to set up and customize their apps, wallpaper and so on
KEY DEVICE ENHANCEMENTS
• Delay in opening S-Note file from Home screen widget fixed
• Tab bar in portrait mode flicker issue in Google Chrome fixed
• Fixed Google Account sign in error during Setup Wizard
• Fixed access limit for enforcing PIN or Pattern attempts when
unlocking the tablet
• Fixed issue where decryption password failure did not erase SD card
Like all staged roll outs, you may or may not see the update hit your device right away. you can head into the settings > about device > software update > check for new software update to see if it is there waiting for you right now. Before you do that though, make sure you have some time to kill on a solid Wi-Fi connection and over 50% battery life. nothing is worse than seeing the update but not being able to do anything about it right now.
Via Verizon G+ Page
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Android 4.4.2 for the G2 and G-Flex! – Device Updates
Monday funday? Of course not. But hey, Device Updates is here, and hopefully your device is getting an update, or already got one. Android 4.4.2 shows its face to the LG G2 and the G-Flex. You guys out there with an Xperia Z device will be getting your update next month hopefully. Sony is pretty good at keeping their promises.
Device Updates
Verizon LG G2 gets Android 4.4.2
AT&T LG G-Flex gets Android 4.4.2
Samsung Galaxy S4 Active gets KitKat
Xperia Z line getting Android 4.4 next month
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AIVAnet 