Google has announced Android KitKat 4.4 with new some new features. Talking to your KitKat Android with the phrase OK Google will allow you to tell it what to do while many new features are visual with Chromecast integration.
MS Office users will like that "QuickOffice" features make it easier to save to cloud and print. Chromecast gives a prettier picture to the home screen and the ability to watch streaming video on a connected HDTV and the camera can combine photos.
Currently, you can only get KitKat as a candy bar or as an operating system on the Nexus 5, updates for other devices will be dependent upon carriers and device makers. Google Play Editions of recent smartphones may be getting updates as soon as two weeks.
As predicted, you can say “Ok Google” to launch voice search, text, get directions or play music. Google claims that Android 4.4 KitKat has better multitasking system performance.
You don't have to wait for KitKit for the new Google Hangout features. SMS hlocation sharing, auto enhanced video and send animated GIFs is added into Google Hangouts in Android 4.4. This change is to the Hangouts app itself which is available on previous versions of Android back to 2.3.
Here's a list of new features in Android KitKat 4.4
- Chromecast has been integrated to show a full-screen album or movie art when your phone is locked. With KitKat and a Chromecast, you watch from Netflix, YouTube, Hulu Plus, and Google Play on your HDTV when connected.
- The new immersive mode, clears the screen, when you swipe the edge of the screen, you get status bar back.
- The new phone app puts people you talk to the most, on top.Caller ID looks up phone number not in your contacts, to matches from businesses or a local listing on Google Maps.
- You can print to a Google Cloud Printer to HP ePrint printers, and to other printers that have apps in the Google Play Store.
- From QuickOffice, you can open and save files on Google Drive, other cloud storage services, or your device.
- Bluetooth MAP support Android now supports the Message Access Profile (MAP) so Bluetooth-enabled cars can exchange messages with your devices.
- The downloads app with new sorting options and different grid views for downloaded files.
- Easy home screen switching.
- The redesigned Email now has nested folders, contact photos and more navigation.
- HDR+ photography HDR+ mode automatically snaps a rapid burst of photos and combines them to give you the best possible single shot
- On devices with an infrared (IR), Android now supports remote control of TVs and other devices.
- You can access your location settings from anywhere with a new tile in Quick Settings.