Sony Xperia Z Ultra Google Play Edition is now receiving the official Android 4.4.3 KitKat update while Xperia Z1 and Xperia Z1 Compact got 4K and Timeshift video import from XDA developers.

Sony Xperia Z Ultra GPE

Official Android 4.4.3 KitKat for Sony Xperia Z Ultra GPE is now rolling out with build version KTU84L.S1.3056. Similar with other Google Play Edition devices, Android 4.4.3 KitKat delivers all bug fixing patches found on the Android 4.4.2 instead of adding new features. In general, users won't notice any obvious changes to the user interface but will enjoy enhancements to apps and services.

Here are the main changes and fixes delivered by the new Android OS version for all Google Play Edition and Nexus devices:

1. Fix on frequent data connection dropout

2. Fixes and optimisation for the "mm-qcamera-daemon" crash

3. Fixes on camera focus in regular and HDR shifting modes

4. Fix on the Power Manager display wakelock

5. Several fixes on Bluetooth app and radio

6. Fix on the random reboot

7. Fix on the issue "app shortcuts sometimes got removed from launcher after update"

8. Fix on USB debugging security

9. Fix on app shortcuts security

10. Fix on Wi-Fi auto-connect issue

11. More camera fixes

12. Fixes on MMS, email and exchange, calendar, people, dialler, contacts, DSP, IPv6 and VPN

13. Fix on the issue "stuck in activation screen"

14. Fix on missed call LED

15. Fixes on subtitles

16. Fix on data usage graph problems

17. Fix on Internet telephony bugs

18. Fix on FCC compliance

19. Various miscellaneous fixes

For the icons, both the dialler and contacts apps received a new colour scheme. It is unknown when Sony Mobile plans to release Android 4.4.3 KitKat for other Xperia devices or if they intend to jump straight to the upcoming Android version this year.

4K and Timeshift Video for Xperia Z1 and Xperia Z1 Compact

Sony Mobile did not include the exclusive 4K and Timeshift video camera modes from Xperia Z2 to Xperia Z1 and Xperia Z1 Compact on the Android 4.4.2 KitKat update. However, an XDA forum member took initiative to port the exclusive camera apps.

XDA member olokos planned the porting of both camera modes to older Xperia smartphones which got the attention of other XDA members lagalaga and Riyal. XperiaBlog confirmed that the XDA developers managed to make 4K and Timeshift video modes to work on Xperia Z1 and Xperia Z1 Compact.

Update details:

20. Fix duplicate entries of 4K and Timeshift video in camera add on selector box

21. Fix Timeshift Burst compatibility

22. Fixed force close error in Timeshift Video menu

23. Proper version naming of flashable zip

Flashing the camera modes require root access and deodexed without any other camera modes installed to prevent conflict.