KitKat 4.4

[903tex]

I've got one.... You don't get the need for being kept up to date? One of the deciding factors in signing a 2 year contract for this device was knowing it would last me the entire 2 years. I'll probably give in and get the nexus 6 but I'll still have my note 3 and would hope it won't age too horribly.

It's not that but for most flagship devices get one or two updates before it's eol. If you want updates past that then you need a Nexus device.



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[DustinKimble]

It's not that but for most flagship devices get one or two updates before it's eol. If you want updates past that then you need a Nexus device.



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Even nexus devices are left in the dark after 2 or so years. The galaxy nexus wouldn't be getting 4.4 if it weren't for xda. A nexus device is a developer unit for the same reason apple seeds their new os before releasing it. Nexus was meant for app developers not the mainstream public, although due to the low price (again to make it attractive for app developers to get a unit and be able to develop) many people bought it to use as a dd. This would also explain the nexus battery dilemma. It's not meant to be a consumer phone.

 

[WizeGuyDezignz]

What people forget to mention is that a lot of people want a software update and don't even really know why other than they want to feel that their money was well spent. When it finally comes, a lot of them don't even realize what has changed and don't notice the changes in day to day use.

The are many people here that act like their phone won't perform right and won't be of any use if they don't get an update. It's kind of sad really.

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[903tex]

Even nexus devices are left in the dark after 2 or so years. The galaxy nexus wouldn't be getting 4.4 if it weren't for xda. A nexus device is a developer unit for the same reason apple seeds their new os before releasing it. Nexus was meant for app developers not the mainstream public, although due to the low price (again to make it attractive for app developers to get a unit and be able to develop) many people bought it to use as a dd. This would also explain the nexus battery dilemma. It's not meant to be a consumer phone.

As software gets developed more older devices with lesser specs do suffer. But just like any other devices Google phone is your only option if you want updates. No way around that. What would the note 3 and other devices be if they didn't have companies own twist in marketing and selling their products to the masses. Truth is only people om xda care for updates while 95% of the worrld don't care and can't tell you no difference in jellybean to kitkat

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---------- Post added at 12:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:03 PM ----------

As software gets developed more older devices with lesser specs do suffer. But just like any other devices Google phone is your only option if you want updates. No way around that. What would the note 3 and other devices be if they didn't have companies own twist in marketing and selling their products to the masses. You and I may love the note 3 with stock android on it, but that phone wouldnt sell to samsung liking without adding their own ui to it to appeal to the masses. Samsung is in the android world is what iphone is to pretty muxh every hipster. Truth is only people on xda care for updates while 95% of the worrld don't care and can't tell you no difference in jellybean to kitkat

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[littlewierdo]

The ONLY reason Android updates are important are security updates, something which Samsung has actually done a fair job with, many of their Android builds have had most of these exploits fixed long before Google fixed them in Android.

There is ONE reason however that falls outside of the above sentence that is important, making the hardware last longer, something which Google decided to add (finally) into 4.3, the Trim function. If you dont know what it is, Google it (Trim Command or Trim Function). Samsung implemented this in the Note 1 WAY back on JB 4.1.2 long before Google got around to adding it.

Now, there are 'nice features' that have been added with later Android versions but I wouldnt classify these as important reasons to get the update.

I havent rooted my Note 3. I dont need to. Android now gives me the one major reason I had to ever root in the first place, disabling bloat and demo apps (hello AT&T Navigation you wasted piece of sh*t wasting space on my phone).

Tinkering with processor speeds just so I can get a higher number in some benchmark, while maybe fascinating, serves nothing functional. I and 99% of users out there dont do anything with their phone that requires having a 2000 higher score in a benchmark, which is all relative anyway.

I bought this one for 2 reasons, more ram than the Note 1 and Knox. Im interested in my phone being secure and Im interested in having enough ram that launching Audible and Beyonpod both at the same time doesnt require having one of them to be closed because my phone is out of memory. I guess Im boring to most people and Im sure Im hanging out in the wrong places (why would someone like me hang around on XDA). I get it, you want to be able to install you're own custom roms. Shocker, you need to buy an already unlocked device for the full price if you expect that kind of capability.

Kitkat? Am I interested? Absolutely. I love this direction that Google is going, streamlining the OS, trimming out the fat, I love the idea of removing Davlik, all that stuff (I dont however like the direction they are going with their 'open source' apps).

The problem? Well, if you arent familiar with Samsung, look back two pages, I posted on where the Note 1 currently sits and when it just recd its last update. I have had 3 Samsung phones via AT&T and my experience with regards to updates has been awful.

If you want to bury your head in the sand and pretend like the Note 3 is any different from any other phones on AT&T? Thats fine, but Im giving you the heads up, be prepared to be disappointed. Yea, this is based on past history which is the only thing we can base anything on.

Im inclined to believe that most of the fault lies with AT&T however and not with Samsung, my friend has an S3 via Sprint and he just got 4.3 on his phone a few days ago, which is pretty timely considering 4.3 was out what, the end of July?

 

[903tex]

The ONLY reason Android updates are important are security updates, something which Samsung has actually done a fair job with, many of their Android builds have had most of these exploits fixed long before Google fixed them in Android.

There is ONE reason however that falls outside of the above sentence that is important, making the hardware last longer, something which Google decided to add (finally) into 4.3, the Trim function. If you dont know what it is, Google it (Trim Command or Trim Function). Samsung implemented this in the Note 1 WAY back on JB 4.1.2 long before Google got around to adding it.

Now, there are 'nice features' that have been added with later Android versions but I wouldnt classify these as important reasons to get the update.

I havent rooted my Note 3. I dont need to. Android now gives me the one major reason I had to ever root in the first place, disabling bloat and demo apps (hello AT&T Navigation you wasted piece of sh*t wasting space on my phone).

Tinkering with processor speeds just so I can get a higher number in some benchmark, while maybe fascinating, serves nothing functional. I and 99% of users out there dont do anything with their phone that requires having a 2000 higher score in a benchmark, which is all relative anyway.

I bought this one for 2 reasons, more ram than the Note 1 and Knox. Im interested in my phone being secure and Im interested in having enough ram that launching Audible and Beyonpod both at the same time doesnt require having one of them to be closed because my phone is out of memory. I guess Im boring to most people and Im sure Im hanging out in the wrong places (why would someone like me hang around on XDA). I get it, you want to be able to install you're own custom roms. Shocker, you need to buy an already unlocked device for the full price if you expect that kind of capability.

Kitkat? Am I interested? Absolutely. I love this direction that Google is going, streamlining the OS, trimming out the fat, I love the idea of removing Davlik, all that stuff (I dont however like the direction they are going with their 'open source' apps).

The problem? Well, if you arent familiar with Samsung, look back two pages, I posted on where the Note 1 currently sits and when it just recd its last update. I have had 3 Samsung phones via AT&T and my experience with regards to updates has been awful.

If you want to bury your head in the sand and pretend like the Note 3 is any different from any other phones on AT&T? Thats fine, but Im giving you the heads up, be prepared to be disappointed. Yea, this is based on past history which is the only thing we can base anything on.

Im inclined to believe that most of the fault lies with AT&T however and not with Samsung, my friend has an S3 via Sprint and he just got 4.3 on his phone a few days ago, which is pretty timely considering 4.3 was out what, the end of July?

Which explains why with att and other carrier updates record don't except anything to change. Unless they decide to just change out the blue. Any phone you get from carrier(unless nexus device) don't except getting the latest android updates just because Google made it avaliable. Samsung, LG, etc. Rather just come out with a new device so that you can put more money in their pocket if you want the latest and greatest.

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[mburrieza]

If you think that only the Nexus 5 has 4.4... Not even the Nexus 4, that was their flagship phone until two weeks ago nor the Nexus 7 2013, the current flagship tablet. Google already said that the best Kk feature (the Google now launcher) will be available only for the Nexus 5 to test how it works out.
The vendors have time to update their devices and there are very few kitkat new features to wait for. I think that it's a good thing, a sign that the platform is mature.
My last experience with Samsung is the Note 1. I bought it with 2.3.3 two years ago. In 20 months it was updated to 2.3.4, then 2.3.6, 4.0.3, 4.0.4. and 4.1.2. Not bad in my opinion, 5 version updates, two of them being mayor updates (GB>ICS>JB). If the Note 3 gets a similar update path I will be happy.

 

[sabre31]

Note 3 will get 4.4 2 months after Note 4 is announced. You guys forget Samsung pulled same crap with note 2. Note 2 still doesn't have 4.3 and rumored to have it very soon. Samsung won't give you 4.4 as they want you to buy note 4 which will be 4.4. They do this on purpose.

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[Agent]

Guys come on we're one big cyber family here. No need to heated and bent out of shape over stuff. Can we stick to the 4.4 chat pretty please?


On topic...

I don't think we will be seeing 4.4 till next year but I don't see to many big changes from 4.3 to 4.4 that will be significant.



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[KennyG123]

What does any of this have to do with Kit Kat?
Keep this thread on topic
This is not an off-topic lounge
Thank you for your cooperation
Friendly Neighborhood Moderator

Thread cleaned

 

[redstar299]

The only reason some people are dying for kit Kat is...you're all extremely anal. What exactly is kit Kat going to do for you? This phone is lightning fast and has a ****load of features not found on any other device. Download Nova Launchers new Beta... will give you a kit Kat like experience so you can stop whining all day that your phone is 4.3 vs 4.4

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[redalertlb]

The only reason some people are dying for kit Kat is...you're all extremely anal. What exactly is kit Kat going to do for you? This phone is lightning fast and has a ****load of features not found on any other device. Download Nova Launchers new Beta... will give you a kit Kat like experience so you can stop whining all day that your phone is 4.3 vs 4.4

Exactly...i like having the latest and greatest thing on the market just like any other person but to be honest the Note 3 is the best phone on the market right now as far as specs and features goes. The Nova Launcher Beta is just fine...get all the perks lose none of the features. :good:

 

[Delakit]

The only reason some people are dying for kit Kat is...you're all extremely anal. What exactly is kit Kat going to do for you? This phone is lightning fast and has a ****load of features not found on any other device. Download Nova Launchers new Beta... will give you a kit Kat like experience so you can stop whining all day that your phone is 4.3 vs 4.4

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Hilarious post.
Possibly the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Lol. That definitely NOT why. The time you spent writing that post you could've typed a few things on Google, clicked a few links, answered your own question, and saved clutter.

Exactly...i like having the latest and greatest thing on the market just like any other person but to be honest the Note 3 is the best phone on the market right now as far as specs and features goes. The Nova Launcher Beta is just fine...get all the perks lose none of the features. :good:

Also funny.
http://www.android.com/
Have yourself a blast.

 

[littlewierdo]

Well, Ive just discovered a reason for KitKat, apparently, included is the ability to use the stock Google Experience Launcher (GEL) minus any carrier overlays so if Im reading this correctly, you can remove touchwiz. I should clarify, not remove touchwiz but use the google launcher instead which should provide the UI benefits of a less complicated interface, should you desire.

I cant say for sure since I dont have a device with Kitkat (my Nexus 7 says 'I want some of that') so I cant confirm this.

But the beauty is, according to this article, once you get the update to the Google Search (3.1.8) app, you can manually install GEL without KitKat.

Who knows, Im still trying to delve into this a bit...

http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/1...y-fixes-gel-on-tablets-and-more-apk-download/

 

[Agent]

Well, Ive just discovered a reason for KitKat, apparently, included is the ability to use the stock Google Experience Launcher (GEL) minus any carrier overlays so if Im reading this correctly, you can remove touchwiz. I should clarify, not remove touchwiz but use the google launcher instead which should provide the UI benefits of a less complicated interface, should you desire.

I cant say for sure since I dont have a device with Kitkat (my Nexus 7 says 'I want some of that') so I cant confirm this.

But the beauty is, according to this article, once you get the update to the Google Search (3.1.8) app, you can manually install GEL without KitKat.

Who knows, Im still trying to delve into this a bit...

http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/1...y-fixes-gel-on-tablets-and-more-apk-download/

That's an interesting article. I'm tempted to install GEL on my Note 3 now and also the new Hangouts to see if that works.

EDIT: Looks like they released the new hangouts already!

 

[Pandawg]

http://www.sammobile.com/2013/11/22...-january-s-iii-and-note-ii-before-april-2014/

Hope?!

 

[toyfreak]

I installed that APK and cleared program defaults... I only see TouchWiz Simple and TouchWiz as launchers available to cloose from. Does the Note 3 need to be rooted to use GEL instead of TouchWiz? (AT&T bone-stock Note 3, no root here).

 

[Rukbat]

Note to self:

Slit throat of automatic update prior to December 31, 2013.

You guys try it out for a few months. If it doesn't break anything I need, maybe I'll okay the update. Bad enough the J5 OTA bricked by phone and I had to pay for a replacement.