In this AW Center article we review the best Android 4.4 features, to see what has really changed and improved in the Android KitKat, considering the user experience.
Before continuing to read, see if your device gets the Android KitKat update or not: Which Device Gets Android 4.4 Update?
So, let's get back to the topic and review the new/improved features of Android 4.4 KitKat:
1. Wake Google Up Every Where and Every Time
Communication with your device is now possible by just saying OK Google and you don't need to tap on any place or open any application anymore. When you are on Home Screen, Say OK Google followed by a proper command to do one of these actions: launch voice search, send a text message, get direction or play a song. (As specified by Google, this option is only available in Nexus 5)
2. Album Arts and Music Control Buttons in Lock Screen
When your device is locked and your listening to music or projecting movies to Chromecast, you can see the album/movie art in full screen on the lock screen, as well as playing, pausing, or seeking to a specific moment via the music control buttons
3. Everything is Hidden, Except the Content Your Are Viewing
When you are reading an E-Book, playing a game, or watching a movie, the status bar and navigation button gets hidden to let you immerse yourself in the content.
4. Smarter Dialer App
The new Android dialer now shows your frequent contacts on the top with higher priority, and it lets you search for nearby places and businesses. If you have a incoming call with Unknown number, the Dialer App looks for a nearby business to find a match for that unknown number.
5. Hangout is an Integrated Social Platform
The new Hangout version is now responsible for your SMS and MMS messages as well as instant messages, conversations and video calls sent by your friends. You can also enjoy sending the new colorful Japanese characters, available on the new Google Keyboard.
6. Air Print Using Google Cloud Print
Google Cloud Print is now a part of default features of Android 4.4, and if you happen to have a printer compatible with Air Print mode, you can send your prints from your Android phone or tablet.
7. Project Svelte Lets Low-End Devices To Run KitKat
One of the things we often hear in Apple conferences, is mocking Google for its fragment OS and they are kind of right considering more than quarter of Android devices are running Gingerbread at the moment. Project Svelte is to let devices with as low as 512MB of memory, be able to install Android KitKat ROM and it means we should expect more devices to be updated to Android 4.4. On the other hand, High-end devices running KitKat will have a smoother and faster multitasking experience.
