Some Android devices are getting the latest KitKat update, Android 4.4.3 which brings several bugfixes along with some very minor tweaks to the UI.
The first handsets that will see the update are the Play editions (not available in the UK) of the Galaxy S4 and the HTC One (M7). Those phones are already getting the update notification, while the Moto X, G and E will all get the update at some point this week, living up to Motorola’s promise to keep its phones fresh.
Also included in the update are, of course, the LG Nexus 5 and the Asus Nexus 7. Both of these devices should be able to get the update immediately, as you would hope for Google products. The LG Nexus 4 will also get this new version too.
Some caveats apply to this as usual. Phones which are provided by a carrier don’t get updates until the carrier approves the code. So in the UK, your mobile company needs to give the nod and push it to your phone. SIM-free devices might get it quicker.
Visually, the new update isn’t much of a change. There’s a new dialer app that was leaked some months ago but much of the rest is performance tweaks and bugfixes. For example, one problem with Snapdragon powered devices left the camera app running, and drained power. This is now gone. There are dozens more little tweaks like this, but this is not a major release.
On the plus side, your phone is now able to use Google’s telephone number database to give you an idea about who is calling you. Fingers crossed that means fewer spam calls about getting hurt in an accident that wasn’t your fault, or flipping PPI.
Perhaps we’ll see a new version of Android announced at Google I/O at the end of the month. After all, the company has to do some serious work to catch up with Apple’s iOS 8.
Read more: Android 4.4.3 screenshots show updated look
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
