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Android KitKat Released

Posted by timothy on from the happy-hallowe'en dept.

First time accepted submitter taxtropel was one of many readers to note that Google has officially released its newest version of Android. taxtropel extracts from the announcement: "Today we are announcing Android 4.4 KitKat, a new version of Android that brings great new features for users and developers. The very first device to run Android 4.4 is the new Nexus 5, available today on Google Play, and coming soon to other retail outlets. We'll also be rolling out the Android 4.4 update worldwide in the next few weeks to all Nexus 4, Nexus 7, and Nexus 10 devices, as well as the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One Google Play Edition devices." Reader SmartAboutThings adds: "Almost all of the features that the Nexus 5 comes with are not a surprise, since they were heavily leaked before. Still, for those that have obediently waited this day, here are some of its most important specs: 2.2Ghz quad-core Snapdragon 800 and 2GB of RAM, 4.95-inch 1080p display, Wireless charging, 2,300 mAh battery, LTE, Bluetooth 4.0, 802.11ac WiFi and NFC; Gorilla Glass 3, Front 1.3-megapixel camera and 8-megapixel sensor on the back with optical image stabilization (OIS)."

11 of 358 comments (clear)

  1. Dear Mr Moore... by bob_super · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The mid-range laptop on which I'm typing this comment is out-specced on all fronts by this phone (save for keyboard and day-long readability), and it's barely 6 years old.
    Nice.

  2. No replaceable battery as far as I can see by MarcoAtWork · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Why is it that so few smartphones have replaceable batteries nowadays, it is such an environmentally irresponsible thing to do. Kudos to Samsung for still having them in the galaxy series, but seriously, every phone (and laptop) should have it. Wish Apple hadn't started this trend (for a company that supposedly prides itself as being environmental too...)

    --
    -- the cake is a lie
    1. Re:No replaceable battery as far as I can see by Minwee · · Score: 5, Insightful

      most office buildings have these things called electricity outlets and you can always charge via your laptop's USB port

      And most batteries have things called a "capacity" which degrades over time. Depending on a variety of factors this may be as low as a few hundred charge/discharge cycles. Being able to replace the battery means that you will still be able to use it two years later, and not need to constantly plug it into one of those electricity outlet things.

    2. Re:No replaceable battery as far as I can see by alen · · Score: 2, Insightful

      i'll have a third kid then just for you

  3. Only 32GB, no storage expansion by lma · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I love the Google phones with one exception: lack of storage. Google devices don't have microSD expansion slots, and the maximum storage sizes are small. If you're going to have small built-in flash sizes at least have an expansion slot. Or if you don't have an expansion slot, at least have versions with large storage options. HTC has a 64GB version of the One, for example. Apple has iPhone models with 64GB.

    1. Re:Only 32GB, no storage expansion by hojo · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Agreed.

      I am using a Galaxy S3, 16 GB built-in, and then I added a 64 GB SD card to it. I refuse to downgrade my storage capacity on a new phone. The amazing capacity of this thing is simply a killer feature.

      I'm running Cyanogenmod on this thing and it flies, is stable, and has no shitware installed.

      These two things have become my new standard for what I want:

      1) Is it open enough to get a fully functioning Cyanogenmod update?
      2) Does it have SD expansion?

      That's it. All the hyper-resolution stuff is meaningless for a four or five inch display. Just give me that badass storage capacity and an uncluttered OS!

    2. Re:Only 32GB, no storage expansion by Paradise+Pete · · Score: 1, Insightful

      Just give me that badass storage capacity and an uncluttered OS!

      What are you storing on your phone that you need such boundless capacity? Do you carry around an SD Caddy like people used to do with floppies?

  4. Re:Nexus 5: Can it run linux? by nadaou · · Score: 5, Insightful

    As another poster pointed out, Android already is running the Linux kernel. If you want the GNU-ecosystem OS on top of the kernel all you have to do is install a chroot environment like "Lil' Debi" and you're done. (requires root)

    https://f-droid.org/repository/browse/?fdid=info.guardianproject.lildebi&fdpage=13

    Same goes for those very nice and very cheap long-life Chromebooks.

    People give RMS lots of grief for calling "it" GNU/Linux, but he ain't no fool. Linux can be many things besides the kernel for the GNU OS, and see the Debian ports for the familiar GNU environment running on BSD, and yes, Hurd kernels instead of the Linux one.

    --
    ~.~
    I'm a peripheral visionary.
  5. Re:Count me out this round by Emetophobe · · Score: 4, Insightful

    But a phablet? I just can't get behind it. I have my Nexus 7s. I have my Nexus 4

    It's hardly a phablet compared to your Nexus 4, it's only 4mm longer...

    Nexus 4 dimensions: 133.90 x 68.70 x 9.10 mm (with a 4.7" screen)
    Nexus 5 dimensions: 137.84 x 69.17 x 8.59 mm (with a 4.9" screen)

  6. Re:yum by fredprado · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I don't know if US carriers subsidize only iPhones, but on other places they subsidize all phones and you end paying for the phone anyway, by being forced into a plan that is beyond your needs. So in the end you are paying for the phone either way. There is no free lunch.

  7. Re:the name by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Especially since the original name "Key Lime Pie" is so much more awesome than mediocre Kit Kat.