Android 4.4 KitKat Release: Official 30 New Features and Functionality Revealed by Google
Google finally made Android 4.4 KitKat official based on their updated Android Web site and the next-generation features have been exposed coming very soon to new and old Android devices. Know the top 30 official features of Android 4.4 KitKat confirmed by Google.
Android 4.4 KitKat is 'smart, simple and truly yours' so check out what's heading devices this November 2013.
Beautiful and Immersive
Android 4.4 KitKat gets more polished with its design, improved system performance and brings all new features among older and newer Android-powered devices.
New 'Ok Google'
Google Now in Android 4.4 KitKat gets a new functionality called "Ok Google" and it doesn't require the user to touch the screen display on getting tasks completed. Inside Google Now app, simply say "Ok Google" to launch voice search, sent text messages, get directions and even play your favourite songs.
Work of Art
Listening to your favourite song or album and projecting movies to Chromecast will never be the same again. See beautiful full-screen album and movie art on the lock screen of your device with the ability to play, pause or seek to a specific moment.
Immerse Yourself
New immersive mode for reading e-books, playing games or even watching your favourite movie as Android 4.4 KitKat hides everything from the screen except what you really want to see. Just swipe the edges of the screen to bring back status bar and navigation buttons.
Faster Multi-tasking
Get faster multi-tasking power from Android 4.4 KitKat as the next-generation Android takes system performance to an all-time high with optimised memory and more stable, faster touch screen response. Feel more accurate touch response while launching several apps - music, browsing and playing games on the same floor.
The Future Is Calling
Phone app gets smart function as it prioritises your contacts based on the people you talk to the most. You may also use search for nearby places and businesses, your contacts or people inside Google Apps domain.
Smarter Caller ID
Incoming calls on your phone will not only display contacts but also look for matches from businesses with a local listing on Google Maps.
All Messages in One Place
Hangouts become the 'One Place' for all your messaging needs, from SMS/MSS to conversations and video calls. The new Hangouts app can even share your location and create then send animated images called GIFs.
Emoji Everywhere
Emoji express your messages and now Android 4.4 KitKat brings your colourful Japanese characters, exclusively from the new Google Keyboard.
Print Wherever, Whenever
Use the Google Cloud Print to HP ePrint printers or other printers with Google Play Store apps to print photos, documents and web pages from your phone or tablet running Android OS.
Pick a file - Any File
Open or save files from apps such as QuickOffice on Google Drive or any other cloud services or to your devices. Quick access of recently used files becomes easy and quick to send so you can continue working on it conveniently.
QuickOffice
Create and edit documents, spreadsheets and presentations right on your phone or tablet with newly redesigned QuickOffice from Google.
Bluetooth MAP Support
Android 4.4 KitKat allows the Message Access Profile or MAP support so Bluetooth-enabled cars can exchange messages with your Android-powered devices.
Chromecast Support
Enjoy your favourite online entertainment from Netflix, YouTube, Hulu Plus and Google Play on your HDTV using your Android device and your Chromecast.
Chrome Web View
Apps that can embed Web contents can now use Chrome browser to render Web components accurately and quickly.
Close Captioning
Closed captioning and subtitles are now supported by Android OS on your device. Go to "Settings > Accessibility > Captions."
Device Management Built-In
You can now alert your Android device if it's lost or stolen from you wherever if may be. If you cannot find anymore, setup the Lock and Erase to prevent culprits to use your device again.
Downloads App
Downloads app gets a new design with additional new options and different viewing modes for all files you've downloaded.
Easier Home Screen
Make quick switches among different home screen launchers or replacements you have installed by going to "Settings > Home."
Email App Refreshed
A fresh new look for the Email app with nested folders, contact photos and better navigation.
Full-Screen Wallpapers with Preview
Your wallpaper is now extended through the notifications tray and system buttons. If you want to change the current wallpaper, you can now see the previous to have a better view before setting it up.
HDR+ Photography
Android 4.4 KitKat on Nexus5 comes with HDR+ mode which automatically snaps a rapid burst of photos and combines them to give you the best possible single shot. Daytime images are vivid with clean shadows while night time photos are sharp with less noise.
Infrared Blasting
Android devices with infrared (IR) blaster can support applications for remote control of TV sets or other nearby devices.
Location in Quick Settings
Access your location settings from anywhere with a new tile in the Quick Settings.
Location Modes and Monitoring
Conserve more battery using the Location modes and monitoring feature on Android 4.4 KitKat. Go to "Settings > Location to switch between high accuracy and battery-saving location modes." No need to toggle GPS, Wi-Fi or any mobile network settings to save battery using location feature. Moreover, Location settings can now display apps which recently requested your location.
Low-Power Audio Playback
Nexus 5 with Android 4.4 can let you listen up to 60 hours of audio playback with its Low-Power audio playback feature.
Seeking Music and Movies on the Lock Screen
Your lock screen can let your jump to the specific part of a song or video without unlocking the display. Long press on the play or pause button then select the point where you want to be.
Secure App Sandboxes
Application sandboxes have been hardened with Security-Enhanced Linux.
Step Counting
The Moves app on Nexus 5 can be used to make your phone act like a pedometer to count steps. Android 4.4 with updated hardware make this functionality more battery-friendly way to measure physical activity.
Tap to Pay
Android 4.4 uses a new and open architecture for NFC payments which works with your network carrier and let apps manage your payment information in cloud service or on your device. Use Tap to play with your Google Wallet or others apps to more than a million stores.
Android 4.4 KitKat is currently exclusive to Nexus 5 smartphone but owners shouldn't worry for Google will make this available soon to other Nexus devices and eventually open to all Android device manufacturers to bring a new firmware for your gadget. In addition, Android 4.4 isn't limited with newer devices as apps can be obtained later for older devices.