With Android 4.4 debuting on the Nexus 5 in October, developers and users have had time to get used to the new operating system. Originally released on October 13 on Nexus 5 and then extended to other devices, the KitKat upgrade boasted an impressive list of new features designed to enhance the OS's usability and make it even easier to develop.
What Did KitKat Bring To The Table?
Among the original features of KitKat is ‘OK Google’ – a replacement for ‘Google Now’ that enhances voice commands. An updated ‘Hangout’ application allows users to store almost every online communication in one place. KitKat was enhanced with a predictive search-based input that uses data from a user’s most dialed and typed locations.
An exciting Caller-ID feature on the Nexus 5 can identify inbound and outbound numbers even if they are not saved as contacts. ‘Immersive Mode’ hides Android’s on-screen notifications and buttons to give apps more canvas space. Cloud printing and cloud storage enable users to use these options from their mobile devices. Additionally, KitKat has some under-the-hood improvements to memory management and security.
What’s Been Happening Since KitKat?
KitKat has undergone three critical updates since debuting. The 4.4.1 update added an update to the camera, some minor keyboard changes, and bug and UI fixes. The 4.4.2 update added a full-screen mode, wireless printing, improved battery life, and the option to revert to default settings. Finally, the latest update, 4.4.3, fixed unstable data connections and further enhanced the battery life and the camera focus.
What’s In KitKat For Developers?
KitKat added support for simple screen recording. The screen recording utility allows Android developers to start and stop recording on a device that’s connected to the Android SDK environment over a USB. This is helpful not only with recording high-quality video to show off your app but also with finding bugs and testing various features. Also assisting with debugging is the Procstats debugging tool that makes it easier for developers to assess their memory usage. It’s especially useful if your app launches background services because you can see how much memory they are using.
The Google Cloud Print App allows for smooth integration between apps and printing processes. Access to sms/ mms is also made simpler with KitKat. Developers can also take advantage of animated transitions, a translucent system UI, and improved storage access that facilitates in requesting and sending content to the provider.
KitKat Compared Against iOS 7
KitKat’s main competition is Apple’s iOS 7 which launched in September, shortly before Android 4.4. The striking new interface of iOS 7 looks far better than its previous version and includes the ‘Control Center’ feature to efficiently toggle on and off certain settings. KitKat looks similar to its previous version with only slight changes like a transparent status bar and easy switching between the home screen and notifications.
When comparing crash ratios, KitKat is slightly in the lead. Compared to its previous versions, iOS 7 crashes 1.7% of the time, while KitKat crashes only at a 0.7% rate compared to its previous versions.
However, the largest difference that everyone is aware of is the acceptance rate of the operating systems. iOS 7 still takes a whopping 85% of the market while KitKat lags way behind with only 8%.
Yet, 8% of all mobile users are still a large number of users, and the adoption rate of Android is gaining. Overall Android’s KitKat 4.4 OS has positive reviews. According to user reviews on Engadget, KitKat has a 9.2 out of 10 while critics are giving it an average of 8.6. It may be time to consider Android as a serious contender in the mobile space.
How Did Kitkat Lead The Way For The New-Age Mobile Technologies?
Android 4.4 KitKat was released in October 2013 and since the beginning, it was a pivotal update. It happened to set the stage for modern mobile technologies. This was the version that introduced several key features as well as multiple improvements in the mobile world. It evolved the application development services for good! And that was done by enhancing the user experience, performance, and functionality.
# Enhanced Performance
One of the most important factors that affect the upcoming mobile applications and technologies is performance. After the launch of KitKat, the UI/UX design & development services saw a boom.
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KitKat aimed to optimize Android for lower-end devices, allowing it to run smoothly on devices with as little as 512MB of RAM.
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This broadened Android's reach, enabling more users to access modern mobile technologies.
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Introduced as an experimental alternative to the Dalvik runtime, ART (Android Runtime) improved app performance and battery life by ahead-of-time compilation, paving the way for its full adoption in later Android versions.
# Improved User Interface
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Allowed apps to take full advantage of the screen by hiding system UI elements, providing a more immersive experience for games and media consumption.
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The transparent status and navigation bars gave apps more screen space and a modern look, influencing future UI designs.
# Connectivity Enhancements
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Added support for Bluetooth Low Energy, enabling new possibilities for wearable technology and IoT devices by providing efficient, low-power connectivity options.
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Improved Wi-Fi tethering capabilities, making it easier to share mobile data with other devices, a crucial feature for mobile productivity.
# Google Now Integration
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Introduced the ability to launch Google Now with the "OK Google" voice command from the home screen.
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It enhanced voice interaction and laid the groundwork for future voice assistants like Google Assistant.
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Deeper integration of Google Search within the OS, making information more accessible and intuitive.
# Enhanced Multimedia
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Enhanced the lock screen with full-screen album art and improved media controls, enriching the media consumption experience.
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Allowed devices to control TVs and other appliances, adding another layer of functionality to smartphones.
# Security And Usability
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Improved security by enforcing SELinux, which provided better protection against malicious apps and exploits.
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Introduced a default SMS app chooser, giving users more control over their messaging experience.
Conclusion
Although Android 4.4 was released as an upgrade in 2013, it still works as a very important improvement in the tech world. It brought improvements to performance and functionality on devices with lower RAM. While no longer receiving updates and unable to run the latest apps, it may still be found on some older devices in use today.
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