Nexus 4 And Nexus 7: What To Expect After Android 4.4 KitKat
Google has started the Nexus 7 and Nexus 4 Android 4.4 KitKat update to roll out to the users. But apparently both are still going extremely slow. What can the Nexus 7 and Nexus 4 users expect in the future?
Google surprised everyone when it introduced the Android 4.4 KitKat earlier than expected in October alongside the new Nexus 5 from LG. Expectedly, the update isn't much of an overhaul from Android 4.3 Jelly Bean and only improved the on-board features, adding a few new things of its own.
Google announced that Nexus 7, Nexus 4 and Nexus 10 would get Android 4.4 KitKat and as it left Samsung Galaxy Nexus aging with no update, the company started rolling out the updates amid frustration, confusion and some bugs. There are still Nexus 7 and Nexus 4 complaining about for not receiving the upgrade yet.
Nexus 7 and Nexus 4 users would want Android 4.4 KitKat issues to crop up in the first couple of days. Nexus 4 users have been complaining about the home button not working, users cannot easily get back to their homescreens, settings toggle doing nothing, broken dialer and quick settings menu missing. It might take a week or so to stabilize and users to stumble further into other issues.
Google is usually diligent in fixing major software issues like the bug fix it issued quickly for the original Android 4.4 KitKat update and another bug fix that solved a calendar problem it pushed quickly shortly after Android 4.2 Jelly Bean arrived.
Users may expect to get a bug fix soon and it is predicted that some enhancements will also be on board. If the bugs affecting the Nexus 4 are widespread, Google might offer a new Android 4.4 KitKat for the device as it releases incremental updates to improve major upgrades.
Google seems to follow a pattern with its Android updates and the next should start with an L. It could also be that Android 4.4 KitKat is already setting the stage for a massive overhaul of Android, after minor improving and tweaking of features that are already there. Google may also release a Nexus 4 and Nexus 7 Android update by mid 2014 as it did release two updates annually on previous years.
Users should also expect Google to stick to its guns with its 18-month rule, not providing software support to devices 18 months old and beyond. Nexus 7 might remain on Android 4.4 KitKat and Nexus 7 2013 and Nexus 4 will get the update in 2014.
Google probably won't stray too far from its formula even with a few shifts and Nexus 7 and Nexus 4 users can expect the update process to:
- Have rumors trickling in months even before the update
- Gain steam as Google I/O approaches
- Announce mid-year release
- Confirm Nexus devices getting the update
- Announce vague release dates and details
- Slow roll out