Being the fourth major version, Android “KitKat” is the 4.4 release version and eleventh update of the Android operating system. Android 4.4 was publicly released by Google on September 3, 2013, with the motive to optimize the operating system to improve the performance of earlier devices. The minimum RAM required for this version of Android is 340 MB, and the devices with less than 512 MB of RAM are reported as “low RAM” devices. More internal memory was required by the previous version of the Android operating system and was thus not compatible with many older device models.
Android KitKat History:
Android 4.4 was announced by Google on September 3, 2013. With the initial code name of “Key Lime Pie”, it was later given the code name of KitKat, by the director of Android global partnership John Lagerling and his team, because rare people were expected to know the taste of Key Lime Pie. And thus the name was changed from “Key lime pie” to “KitKat”. On September 30, 2013, the first Android 4.4 KitKat device was developed as Nexus 5. The Nexus 5 was launched by LG Electronics.
Android KitKat Features:
The Android KitKat version supports various special features. Some of the important features of Android 4.4 are discussed below.
Better Memory Management:
With the facility to run on devices with less or equal to 512MB of RAM along with the devices with higher memory capacity, Android KitKat design improves memory management. Memory improvement may also lead to smoother multitasking.
Platform:
In place of Dalvik virtual machine, Android Runtime (ART) was introduced, which is a new Android runtime environment. Being a cross-platform runtime, ART supports the ARM and MIPS architectures in both 32-bit and 64-bit environments.
Just say “OK Google”:
The “OK Google” feature facilitates to perform any task without touching the screen. To launch a voice search, to send a text, to play a song, or to even get directions, we just need to say “OK Google” on the home screen.
Fast multitasking:
By optimizing memory management and with an improved touchscreen as compared to the previous versions, the Android KitKat version improves the system performance to an all-time high. It can be proved from the fact that it has faster response time and more accuracy as compared to the previous versions. For example, we can browse the web while listening to music.
Future is calling:
On the basis of people whom we talk to most, the Android KitKat version supports the feature to give the priority to our contacts. It also supports the search feature for businesses or nearby places.
Emoji everywhere:
The Android KitKat version supports the feature to add emoji on Google Keyboard, which are colorful Japanese characters used to express someone where the word sometimes cannot.
Printing on the Go:
By creating support for Google Cloud Print directly in Android 4.4, an easy to print photos or documents of our phone is facilitated by Google. Thus, we can print documents and photos over Bluetooth or WiFi.
Built-in Sensors:
The step detector and step counter were added in Android 4.4 KitKat as two new supports to composite sensors. This means that without writing complex algorithms and code, the fitness app developers can now access pedometer data. It is thus perfect for training and fitness purposes.
Lock Screen Art:
With Android 4.4 KitKat, the music or streaming movies can now be accessed via Chromecast. This means that the lock screen of our device will display the full album or movie art. Direct controls over the music to play, pause and seek, are also provided from the locked screen. Along with clean features and user interface, Android 4.4 KitKat also supports Near Field Communication (NFC) protocol. The physical buttons present on the previous versions of the Android devices were replaced by the touch screen action button provided by the Android 4.4 KitKat version.