Android KitKat Released

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)."

Comments

Along the theme...

[donut1005]

When iOS7 caused trouble for iPhone users, I heard audible Snickers.

Re:Along the theme...

[Scowler]

"Give me a break!" -- satisfied iPhone user with iOS7

Dear Mr Moore...

[bob_super]

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.

Re:yum

[Joce640k]

In not-unrelated news: You can get a Nexus 5 for half the price of an equivalent iPhone.

Does nobody apart from me see that as newsworthy?

Re:What? Nexus 5 released, Nexus 10 already releas

[WillAffleckUW]

Also, who the fuck needs 2GB of RAM on a fucking phone!? My old computer (which I was using until just a year ago) got by on 2.5 GB of RAM, and it ran just fine. I can't imagine doing many of the things that I do (and did on my old computer) on even a fancy phone. For one, the screen is too small, and there is no built in keyboard. Not to mention, I doubt my toolkit has been ported to Android.

I agree, nobody will ever need more than 640k of RAM.

Only 32GB, no storage expansion

[lma]

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.

Re:Only 32GB, no storage expansion

[hojo]

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!

Re:Nexus 5: Can it run linux?

[nadaou]

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.

Re:No replaceable battery as far as I can see

[Minwee]

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.

Re:KitKat?

[TheSpoom]

What do you think?