Android 4.4 KitKat: 

 10 new features

TOI Tech / November 01,2013

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Google has released Android 4.4 KitKat, bringing an update to the world’s most popular mobile operating system. At present, this OS is only available for the new Nexus 5 smartphone and will soon make its way to older Nexus devices and Google Play versions of HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4.

Android 4.4 brings several new features to the table and aims to increase the reach of Google’s mobile OS to the next billion users. Here are 10 new features of Android 4.4 KitKat…

 

Made for low-cost gadgets

Google has optimized Android 4.4 for low-end devices that have 512MB RAM or less. The operating system will work more smoothly on smartphones and tablets with weaker hardware. This means that the vast majority of Android phones by the likes of Micromax, Karbonn, Lava and others will give a much better user experience.

 

 

Smarter caller ID

Caller ID gets a major overhaul with KitKat. It will prioritize contacts based on the people you talk to the most and if the caller is not in your contacts list, the app will look up the numbers on local listings of Google Maps to identify it. Not only contacts, you can now look up nearby places, establishments and people in Google Apps in the app.

 

 

User interface tweaks and app redesigns

Google has tweaked the user interface of Android with KitKat update. The status and navigation bars are now translucent instead of solid black and the icons are coloured white. Apps like Email and Downloads have been redesigned to make them more streamlined. The wallpaper can now be seen even when you pull down the notification bar

 

 

Google Now improvements

Google Now has also been updated with Android 4.4 and is now 25% more accurate. It introduces cards for local shopping attractions and finally talks back when you ask it a question

 

 

SMS in Hangouts, emoji icons

The SMS app is now a part of the Hangouts application in Android 4.4. Therefore, you can three key messaging functions – SMSs, MMSs and GTalk chats – via the same app. The stock Android keyboard now features emoji icons by default.

 

QuickOffice integration

KitKat integrates QuickOffice document editor, which Google recently purchased, with the Android platform. This brings a free and efficient document reader and editor to the OS by default, just like Apple has done with its iWork suite.

 

Always-on voice control

Android KitKat features always-on voice control that allows users to send text messages, locate places on Google Maps, play songs etc without ever touching the phone.

 

 

Screen recording

You can record whatever you do on your phone with Android KitKat. This screen recording function lets you capture videos of whatever functions you perform on the phone and save it as a MP4 file. This feature can prove to be useful while creating tutorials, marketing videos, testing materials etc.

 

 

Support for cloud printing

Android KitKat supports cloud printing, allowing you to print photos, documents and web pages right from your smartphone or tablet. Currently, the Google Cloud Print function is limited to the HP ePrint range and printers that have apps in the Play Store marketplace. 

Step counting

Fitness freaks rejoice! Android 4.4 comes with a function called Moves that operates as a pedometer that counts your steps. Google says this is a battery friendly way to measure your daily activity level.