Thread: All Things Android

^ not bad; decent price.

Not my cup of tea unless you can root it and put a stock ROM on it.

Like the battery life though.

Android 4.4 KitKat is official, launching on the Nexus 5
NEWS
By Alex Dobie | Oct 31 2013



Streamlined performance, new smarter phone app, pedometer support, new "immersive mode" in new version of Android

Along with the LG Nexus 5, Android 4.4 KitKat is finally official — and there's a whole bunch of new features to get to grips with, besides the obvious UI changes we've seen in all the renders. For starters, among the many changes to the stock launcher, it's now possible to say "OK Google" from the home screen to start a voice search or use other voice-activated features.

More after the break.

There's a new, smarter phone app that can prioritize contacts based on who you call the most. There's also 'Yellow Pages'-like functionality built in, with the ability to look up local businesses. And whenever you receive a call from an unknown number, Google can match it to nearby local businesses on Google Maps.

Mobile printing is supported too, through Google Cloud Print and HP ePrint, or any connected printer with an app on the Google Play Store. Google has also expanded Google Drive's integration in Android, allowing apps such as QuickOffice to load and save apps from Google's cloud storage service. This is part of the new storage access framework, which aims to allow users to easily access files across different storage providers.

And as previously revealed at this week's Google+ event, the Hangouts app now acts as your messaging hub, with SMS support and the ability to share your location with a single button press. What's more, there's support for new sensor types, including pedometers, and Google says the Nexus 5 is paired with update hardware that allows steps and other sensor input to be measured in a battery-friendly way.

Google has also gone to great lengths to optimize Android for lower-powered devices, drastically reducing the amount of RAM used by the OS and Google apps like Chrome and YouTube through "Project Svelte." This means KitKat can run smoothly on devices with as little as 512MB of RAM, which is great news for older and less powerful devices.

A new "immersive mode" now allows you to completely dismiss the system UI, including on-screen buttons, and use your entire screen for content such as books, movies or TV shows.

So there's a lot of new stuff, and we're just scratching the surface here. We'll go into more depth in future posts, so stay tuned for that. Android 4.4 KitKat launches on the Nexus 5, and Google says the Nexus 4, 7, 10 and Google Play edition phones will follow in the next few weeks.

Top Features Of Android 4.4 a.k.a Kitkat

Major UI improvements and new features in Dialer app. Now the dialer puts forward the most recent and frequently contacted on the top making it easier. If you get a call from a business which isn't stored in your contacts then a relevant contact pic will be shown.

Hangouts now replaces stock SMS with built-in SMS and MMS support along with hangouts. You can also install 3rd party SMS apps and stop getting notifications from either of the apps when you want either of them to show the notification.
Immerse Mode lets you enjoy the full screen when reading or using any app by hiding the notification tray and on-screen buttons. With a single swipe from the bottom, notifications and the on-screen buttons appear.

Improved Google Now with new cards and search parties where in it displays the name of the business, phone number and address. For example, if you are searching for a coffee shop using Google Now, it displays the name of the Coffee shops near you and also displays their business phone numbers and addresses without opening Maps app.

Faster Multitasking with Android 4.4 on lower end devices which has been possible only because Google decided to reduce the system requirements as well as the background processes. One thing to note is that devices with 512 MB RAM can now be upgraded to Android 4.4 but sadly no love is shown to legendary Galaxy Nexus even though it has 1GB RAM. Hopefully devs at XDA will find a way to port Android 4.4 to our beloved Galaxy Nexus which it deserves.

Emojis Everywhere, even in your mail. Not only can you add emojis while chatting online using the hangouts, but also when you send an email since this is facilitated by the introduction of emojis in the stock keyboard.

Wireless Printing is embedded in Android 4.4 system where in you can print any document but for the time being only HP printers are supported. More support for other printers to come in the following weeks.

Built-in Chromecast Support. Check out the Google Chromecast Review right here for more details on Chromecast - Google Chromecast.

Bringing NFC features to devices with NFC chip. With Android 4.4 update your old devices which had no NFC chip can now utilise the NFC benefits by simply upgrading to Android 4.4.

Obviously, the Nexus 5 is a great phone for the money - get one if you can (although it's not waterproof, doesn't have the very greatest camera and isn't as sexy as Hitomi...).

A bigger battery and shorter talk time?

the PLAiR2 looks interesting - Plair | Help

A HDMI dongle running android with wifi b/g/n controlled from your phone ( android/IoS ) - $49USD - order now , shipping on Nov 8

is anyone coming over from the US this month ?

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

A bigger battery and shorter talk time?

The battery life doesn't look good - I'll await the first 'longterm' reviews.

Originally Posted by baldrick

the PLAiR2 looks interesting - Plair | Help

A HDMI dongle running android with wifi b/g/n controlled from your phone ( android/IoS ) - $49USD - order now , shipping on Nov 8

is anyone coming over from the US this month ?

How does it work?

Originally Posted by Little Chuchok

Originally Posted by baldrick

the PLAiR2 looks interesting - Plair | Help

A HDMI dongle running android with wifi b/g/n controlled from your phone ( android/IoS ) - $49USD - order now , shipping on Nov 8

is anyone coming over from the US this month ?

How does it work?

It has magic internet that flies in through the air.....

Originally Posted by baldrick

NAS ( network addressable storage )

Network attached storage

When is the Nexus 5 available to buy in East Asia? Now?

With 4.4 KitKat.

Looks like you can only buy it in the US at the moment.

But why bother, 4.4 is already out there and ROMs will be hitting the web soon. I'm looking forward to trying it on the SIII. I find 4.3 a bit sluggish.

By the way, I just looked at Google's site and it says they can't ship for 3-4 weeks.

https://play.google.com/store/device...ack_32gb&hl=en

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

Looks like you can only buy it in the US at the moment.

But why bother, 4.4 is already out there and ROMs will be hitting the web soon. I'm looking forward to trying it on the SIII. I find 4.3 a bit sluggish.

By the way, I just looked at Google's site and it says they can't ship for 3-4 weeks.

https://play.google.com/store/device...ack_32gb&hl=en

Thanks, Harry.

I've been googling, but to no avail.

Is there a date on when the Nexus 7 4.4 Kitkat will be released in East Asia?

No idea. I don't even know if they sell them at retails outlets. The Duty Frees would be a good bet.

Is the Nexus 7 a tablet or a phone?

I'm confused.

Nexus 7 (2):



Nexus 5:



Just buy one of these...

What, that gay piece of shit?

Get a Nexus 5 if you want a new phone.

That's not very nice, 'Arry... The Nexus 5 is an excellent phone at an excellent price, so it's certainly one of the best buys out there. Can't go wrong with a Nexus 5...

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

I like the look of this, and I most certainly would, twice...

I like that ... I like it again...

Just what I've had in mind...thanks for posting

Why is it only running 4.2.2?

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

Why is it only running 4.2.2?

...because everyone loves jelly beans?