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Android 4.4 KitKat optimised for wearable devices, TVs, budget phones: Report

Android 4.4 KitKat optimised for wearable devices, TVs, budget phones: Report

By Ketan Pratap | Updated: 31 October 2013 12:36 IST

A new report has revealed that Android 4.4 KitKat, the next iteration of Google's mobile and tablet operating system, has been designed to work better on low-end phones, next-generation TVs and wearable devices.

Amir Efrati reportedly reviewed a confidential file that was shared by Google with certain companies to reveal major new features in the upcoming iteration of Android. Amir in the report described some of the major highlights of the Android 4.4 OS due to be launched in coming days.

Google has reportedly worked on the Android 4.4 KitKat to deal with fragmentation issue that makes it tougher for app developers to run the new versions of their apps on all Android running devices, even low-end Android devices. KitKat 'optimizes memory use in every major component' and provides 'tools to help developers create memory-efficient applications' for 'entry-level devices,' such as those that have 512MB of memory, reveals the leaked document.

With this, Google's intention of fixing one of Android's biggest weaknesses against Apple's iOS is absolutely clear. Currently, less than half of Android-based devices run the current version of the OS dubbed 'Jelly Bean' released last year in summer, while more than two-thirds of Apple devices are now running the latest iOS version which was launched last month, notes the report.

Further, the report suggests that with the release of Android 4.4 KitKat, Google will introduce three new types of sensors - geomagnetic rotation vector, step detector and step counter. Amir speculates in his report that the rumoured sensors are being introduced for Google's own Android-based smartwatch (rumoured to be called the Gem), Google Glass, and other non-Google wearable devices like Samsung Galaxy Gear and Sony Smartwatch. The alleged sensor inclusion in the Android 4.4 KitKat will also boost the smartphone apps that track fitness as handset makers already pack motion sensors into devices.

In addition, the leaked documents reveal that Android 4.4 KitKat will offer users new NFC functionality, allowing developers to create services that would let smartphones emulate physical cards to make payments and other related things.

The leaked document also reveals that the next iteration of Android will let developers build apps to send infrared signals to control TVs, tuners, switches and other devices.

Google has been tight-lipped about the release of Android 4.4, the latest iteration of its mobile and tablet operating system, ever since the company announced the new version.

A recent leak indicated a November 1 launch date for Android 4.4, Nexus 5 smartphone and Nexus 10 tablet, though till now, no official event has been scheduled for the unveiling.

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Further reading: Android, Android 4.4, Google, KitKat, Nexus, Nexus 10, Nexus 5

Ketan Pratap

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Ketan Pratap is the editor at Gadgets 360 - with over 12 years of experience covering the technology domain. With a breadth and depth of knowledge in the field, he's done extensive work across news, features, reviews, and opinion pieces. But what's truly inspiring about Ketan is how he spends his free time. He's often found gazing at snow-capped mountains from over 20,000 feet while sitting on the hood of his car, taking in the breathtaking beauty of nature. His passion for the great ...More