[Rumor] Android 4.4 KitKat Details Leaked; Plus Nexus 5 Might be Coming October 14th

[dgstorm]

We have some juicy news hot off the press! First, there is "rumint" that the Nexus 5 will be unveiled on October 14th. This intel is mostly speculative at this point, but it is definitely within the realm of possibility. Last year the Nexus 4 was launched in October, so it's not a huge logical leap to think they Google might do it again around the same time.

The other info we have to share outlines a few details about the new Android 4.4 KitKat. Here's a breakdown below of what was leaked:

• Firmware availability to older phones
• Fragmentation changes (screen resizing)
• Miracast updates
• New Gallery Visualisation
• New APIs regarding animations
• Change android default blue to other preset palette colours
• New notification widgets

We can't imagine that this list above is exhaustive, but it makes for a good start. What else are you guys hoping to see in the next iteration of Android?

On a sidenote... doesn't Andy look yummy? Now I want a snack...

Source: TalkAndroid

 

[Gremlin]

• Change android default blue to other preset palette colours

Anyone know what that mean? thank you ..

 

[mountainbikermark]

"Firmware availability to older phones".
I wonder if this will include a big boot to kick the carriers into actually getting it beyond "available"?

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[FoxKat]

• Change android default blue to other preset palette colours

Anyone know what that mean? thank you ..

Would mean that you can change the "theme" (i.e. background), colors for Android to others which my be more appealing to you personally, or to colors that are more efficient from a battery perspective...that is my interpretation. Anyone is welcome to correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[FoxKat]

"Firmware availability to older phones".
I wonder if this will include a big boot to kick the carriers into actually getting it beyond "available"?

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You know as well as I do that the carriers - especially Verizon will be reluctant to re-engineer and offer the new version to phones that are older than a certain age. That age may be the 2-year cut-off or could even be younger. Also there are some phone models that were cut off from updates well before their counterparts and they will be far less likely to be re-introduced to the updates.

 

[CoFoltman84]

Would mean that you can change the "theme" (i.e. background), colors for Android to others which my be more appealing to you personally, or to colors that are more efficient from a battery perspective...that is my interpretation. Anyone is welcome to correct me if I'm wrong.

I want to say it means instead of Blue fonts/volume bars and whatnot, you can switch them to the old Android green or other preloaded colors. A theme changer would be nice though.

 

[CoFoltman84]

You know as well as I do that the carriers - especially Verizon will be reluctant to re-engineer and offer the new version to phones that are older than a certain age. That age may be the 2-year cut-off or could even be younger. Also there are some phone models that were cut off from updates well before their counterparts and they will be far less likely to be re-introduced to the updates.

I read a RUMOR that they could have manufacturers send out OS updates that wouldn't effect the carriers radio firmware and whatnot. Which hopefully is true. That stuff should be in a completely seperate update.

 

[squeak]

I read a RUMOR that they could have manufacturers send out OS updates that wouldn't effect the carriers radio firmware and whatnot. Which hopefully is true. That stuff should be in a completely seperate update.

Never thought of that. That is a genius idea, and I hope it becomes the way updates are handled in the future.

 

[trestevenson]

If my Galaxy Nexus gets Kitkat, it might stave off my desire to purchase a new device for several months. That'd be nice...although I'm not holding my breath, seeing as how there still isn't a factory image for 4.3 available for the Toro.

 

[trestevenson]

I read a RUMOR that they could have manufacturers send out OS updates that wouldn't effect the carriers radio firmware and whatnot. Which hopefully is true. That stuff should be in a completely seperate update.

Do you happen to recall where you read this? That would be a pretty exciting development, if it turned out to be true!

 

[Asgard]

If my Galaxy Nexus gets Kitkat, it might stave off my desire to purchase a new device for several months. That'd be nice...although I'm not holding my breath, seeing as how there still isn't a factory image for 4.3 available for the Toro.

ehem. My toro GNex is currently on 4.3, that's what custom ROMS are for.
But the idea is good for the general masses that don't root their phones. My girlfriend is still on 4.2.1 on her S3 for some reason

 

[trestevenson]

ehem. My toro GNex is currently on 4.3, that's what custom ROMS are for.
But the idea is good for the general masses that don't root their phones. My girlfriend is still on 4.2.1 on her S3 for some reason

You're not wrong there. My device is currently running a custom firmware as well, although it hasn't been updated from 4.2.2 to 4.3 yet. Development has recently slowed for the G-Nex, and I don't expect it to get any better since many developers have moved on to newer devices.

 

[pc747]

If my Galaxy Nexus gets Kitkat, it might stave off my desire to purchase a new device for several months. That'd be nice...although I'm not holding my breath, seeing as how there still isn't a factory image for 4.3 available for the Toro.

Your galaxy nexus is going to get kit kat whether or not vzw pushes it. That is what i love about my galaxy nexus.

 

[FoxKat]

If my Galaxy Nexus gets Kitkat, it might stave off my desire to purchase a new device for several months. That'd be nice...although I'm not holding my breath, seeing as how there still isn't a factory image for 4.3 available for the Toro.

Do you happen to recall where you read this? That would be a pretty exciting development, if it turned out to be true!

THAT ^ is, if not the MAIN reason why they won't (lost revenue from new phone sales), at least one of the reasons why.

 

[cybertec69]

Won't be coming to big red anytime soon, nothing to see here, move along.