Android 4.4 KitKat and LG Nexus 5 Tandem: Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Buy the Nexus 5 Smartphone
The 2013 Grand Tandem, Android 4.4 KitKat and Nexus 5, welcomes the month of October with the latest technological innovation, features and specifications in the mobile industry. Know the top 10 reasons why you should check out and consider buying Nexus 5 running next-generation Android 4.4 KitKat!
1. Android 4.4 KitKat on Nexus 5
Google's answer to the fragmentation issue comes within a chocolate bar and KitKat is to deliver optimisation among older devices soon. The robotic confectioner aims to support more hardware components, more smartphones and tablets, and enhance overall system and ecosystem for users and developers around the world.
KitKat will bring the following features to the Nexus 5:
- Better CPU core supports such as NVIDIA Tegra and Samsung Exynos
- Smoother and improved screen orientation: portrait or landscape
- First and exclusive Android cloud-based storage
- Wider global network coverage including compatibility to various network types
- Brand new and wide range of accessories for Android
- Refined software performance
- Edge-to-edge display with narrow bezel
- Universal accessibility around the globe
- Longer battery standby time
- Weightless to the random access memory or RAM
2. Android Jelly Bean Goodness
KitKat will not take away Jelly Bean goodies from your Nexus 5 and that includes several features you may already have enjoyed on the Nexus 4 or your current smartphone. Google Now, Project Butter, Bluetooth Smart, OpenGL ES 3.0, Lock screen Widgets, Actionable Notifications, Daydream and more are expected to be retained on Android 4.4 KitKat for smoother and well-refined performance.
3. New Linux Kernel Version
Back in early 2013, AndroidCentral caught Google working on Linux 3.8 kernel that will lower RAM usage requirement among Android devices. This support is primarily aiding older phones and tablets to run Android 4.4 KitKat. For the Nexus 5, low RAM usage means more room for multi-tasking several applications at once without suffering noticeable lags.
The Linux 3.8 kernel's primary benefits are as follows:
- Support for open source NVIDIA Tegra and Samsung Exynos DRM drivers
- Support for Flash-Friendly File-System
- Lower memory footprint
4. User Interface
The Nexus 5 will run the vanilla Android UI of 4.4 KitKat and some screenshots of the next-gen OS have leaked. According to DroidLife, Myce obtained the 10 MB log file of the LG Nexus 5 running Android 4.4 KitKat under the codename Key Lime Pie with build number KRS74H. The screenshot displayed grey icons on the black notifications bar and the keyboard grey colour scheme as well.
9to5Google also showed a sneak preview of an Android 4.4-running smartphone with redefined user interface such as palette colour scheme and application-dependent theme changing.
5. Google Core Applications
Google is now preparing core applications from their services and Android for the arrival of Android 4.4 KitKat. The Nexus 5 will get exclusive applications from KitKat version and then, soon, other Nexus phones and tablets as well. Exclusive apps were released ahead such as Android 4.2 Jelly Bean Photo Sphere camera feature which allows the device to take spherical panoramic shot. It is unknown if other brand manufacturers are going to include exclusive apps on their mobile devices. Google Play Books was recently added to the Google Play services for Android.
6. Instant Updates
In case Android 4.4 initial release includes several bugs - which may happen - Google will immediately address the issue and send away the newest firmware version. Aside from this, an updated version of KitKat such as Android 4.4.1 or so on is expected to be received firsthand by the Nexus 5.
7. Future Android Versions
HTC, LG, Samsung and Sony are having trouble, in some ways, coping up with Android 4.2 and 4.3 updates due to their requirement on integrating brand UI and certification process. Google instantly release updates for Nexus phones and tablets for any latest Android version, and owners of the Nexus 5 won't have to wait that much. This ensures that the rumoured Android 5.0 and Android 6.0 are going to be received on your smartphone.
8. Android 4.4 Supporting New Camera Technology
Expect an upgraded camera on your Nexus 5, and based on rumours, it is better than Nexus 4. GSMArena posted the unofficial preliminary specifications of LG Nexus 5 with 8-MP rear-shooting camera with 4,128 x 3,096 resolution, autofocus and LED flash. Although this is not yet confirmed, the Nexus 5 may have up to 13-MP camera similar to other flagship smartphones in the market.
9. Upgraded Hardware
Aside from Android 4.4, upgraded camera and brand new user interface, Google made sure to equip the Nexus 5 with the latest hardware components. Improvements such as 2.3 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, 3 GB of RAM, 5.0 inches of 1,080 x 1,920 full HD resolution with 441 ppi and 4G LTE connectivity are all featured by the Nexus 5.
10. Unbeatable Price
Do not forget that Nexus devices are sold with reasonable prices and relatively cheaper compared to other Android smartphones. The Nexus 4 is currently sold by Google at $229 per unit without any contract, while phones from Samsung or Sony may cost up to $800. Apple's iPhone 5C seems to be more expensive than the Nexus 5, as the iOS maker priced the so-called cheap iPhone for up to $649 per unlocked unit.
The Android 4.4 and Nexus 5 tandem is expected to be announced in Oct 14, 2013 and will become widely available on several retailer stores worldwide.