Android 4.4 Kitkat launched; what to expect from it

[IO.Hazard]

Google has launched the new 4.4. Android OS "Kitkat" (if you want to know why Google replaced the original "Key Lime Pie" name with the new one, you can read the explanation here).

I read a lot of articles and reviews about this new Android version, but I think these two provide a good overview:
http://reviews.cnet.com/android-kitkat/
http://www.theverge.com/2013/11/4/50...kit-kat-review

There is also an interesting article about its brand new runtime called "ART" which promises to improve battery life and speed up our apps by replacing the current dalvik-based caching method.

It is said that Kitkat can run with no problems even on devices with 512 MB of RAM (!), which sounds great , specially for the modding community.

What do you think about this new Android version? Please, share your thoughts!

[Jojo Yee]

Originally Posted by IO.Hazard

What do you think about this new Android version? Please, share your thoughts!

This shares my thoughts

[Anupam]

With this release of Android OS, it seems that they are integrating more and more Google stuff into the OS, and promoting their stuff. This was bound to happen sooner to later, considering the OS is from Google. Still, tight integration crippling other services to the point of making it unusable can be put-off. Like, in this version, the sms facility seems to be integrated with Hangouts. I don't think I would like that personally. The reviews too said that they didn't like the integration, and suggested to use third party sms apps. That sucks.

On the other hand, the OS being available on low end devices makes it available to more devices. Let's hope my old phone gets a custom ROM developed for KitKat soon .

For me, not an exciting Android version though, if I have to stick with my phone, which wont be getting an update.

[IO.Hazard]

I totally agree, Jojo Yee. With Google talking about how good and friendly (with low-end devices) this new Android version is, not porting it to the Galaxy Nexus is a huge mistake. The guys at Google say it's because of the current "18 month" updating scheme but I'm not buying that one.

@Anupam,

I am excited about the promise that Android 4.4 will run on devices with 512MB, it is hopeful indeed, but it will take a while before modders can create a stable enough version for daily use; anyway, I think the new ART Runtime, along with Project Svelte are some interesting addtitions which, if work as promised, will stop this multicore and RAM madness that has plagued the market by promising to stop or reduce the infamous Android "lag". The owners of low-spec phones would have a chance to give their devices a new life (and save some bucks in the process) before they buy a new device.

I read about many workarounds to replace Hangouts as the SMS app and turns out there is plenty of them. I'm sure the Android community will fix any issue as soon as possible and that's exactly what gives me hope about Android as an open OS, although most people know that causes some headaches to Google .

[Juxxize]

With this release of Android OS, it seems that they are integrating more and more Google stuff into the OS, and promoting their stuff. This was bound to happen sooner to later, considering the OS is from Google. Still, tight integration crippling other services to the point of making it unusable can be put-off. Like, in this version, the sms facility seems to be integrated with Hangouts. I don't think I would like that personally. The reviews too said that they didn't like the integration, and suggested to use third party sms apps. That sucks.

yes one of them reviews is mine ) when I got the Hangout update a while back it used up all my phone memory and crippled it all for a service I don't like or use I rooted my phone so I could uninstall it.
Either way it's a little off topic because I was referring to my Gingerbread device . Google is my arch enemy at the moment because I can no longer comment on Youtube or write reviews on Playstore because of this forced Google plus integration ( like with the Hangout forced update ) Google business model at the moment seems to force them to use it if they hate and it's broken ,I don't know how well that will work out for them.
I didn't know about the Hangout/SMS integration on KitKat cheers for pointing that out @Anupam, that would really really put me off and it's a shame because KitKats are my favourite biscuits lol. I wouldn't get the KitKat update anyway because I'm on a no branded tablet but I like it and it's on ICS so it plays Flash video no problem which is a plus , what KitKat support for flash videos like @IO.Hazard ?

[Juxxize]

I just thought to myself about the Hangouts thing on KitKat does that mean if you don't have a Goggle account you can't send SMS /texts ? That seems wrong . I know you need a Google account to use Playstore but you don't need to use Playstore to install apps because you can side load them .

[IO.Hazard]

Many bloggers are bashing Google because of the Hangouts integration. Most of the things I read talk about Hangouts not only replacing the old SMS app, but the contacts list as well. The result is that you will reach Google friends only through the Hangouts app, not through contacts, and the people you chat with most will likely appear in duplicate inside the Hangouts app. Moreover, Hangouts tries to get users to share their SMS and MMS content, along with their current location, with G+.

Luckily, Hangouts can be replaced with a 3rd party app, although there will be a need for a good 3rd party app for the contacts.

[Anupam]

Man, that really sounds intrusive and irritating. I don't think I will like that integration personally. I also don't like using third party apps for SMS, or contacts. I had tried out a third party sms app once, and I didn't like it much. Why can't they keep things nice and simple. This is like shoving down things into our throats.

I really don't like my phone contacts to be mixed up with other contacts from Gmail or elsewhere. On my phone, presently I have set only for phone and sim contacts to show. When I get a phone, being able to call and sms people is my first priority and that should be done with ease. If it's not, whats the use of getting a phone.

I think this intrusiveness is gonna grow more and more in the new versions of Android, because Google wants to promote its products. Maybe people will start looking for alternatives, if they get tired. If Firefox OS gets popular, who knows.

[IO.Hazard]

Originally Posted by Anupam

I think this intrusiveness is gonna grow more and more in the new versions of Android, because Google wants to promote its products. Maybe people will start looking for alternatives, if they get tired. If Firefox OS gets popular, who knows.

You hit the nail in the head Anupam. Despite some interesting additions to the core, Android's latest version is showing us what Google and Android are about: advertising. This move has finally confirmed Android is being used as a platform for Google's products. The forced integration of the PlayStore, Youtube and Hangouts with G+ will certainly have some blowback because it looks like Google wants to replace Facebook in the easiest way possible: doing everything facebook does just adding a "Google style" on it.

I have high expectations about Firefox OS because it seems it will take over the concept Android got rid off in the latest versions.

The Sailfish OS (still on beta) is a pretty interesting option and is said to run most Android apps with no problems, anyway it will need a lot of money for it to compete against Android, iOS and Windows Phone. There is a good video about the Sailfish interface here.

Tizen is another OS with big potential. However, since it is developed and endorsed by Samsung, chances are it will follow the same path initiated by Android .

[J_L]

Can't you just cancel the Hangouts integration? That's what I did when it prompted me about it. Doesn't even seem to be opt-out.

As long as there are choices like that, rooting, and custom ROMs, Android is still superior in my opinion.

*Oh, we're talking about KitKat defaults. The never mind, sort of.