If you hadn't heard Android 4.4 KitKat is out in the wild on the Google Nexus 5, where have you been?
The update doesn't mean that all devices can have a break, with Android KitKat making the cut on some handsets, but not others.
With the release of every update, no matter what OS, there are always devices that won't be supported. As the new kid on the block, Android 4.4 KitKat is what we are all clamouring for, right?
Hopefully we will see the latest Android update land on a much wider range of devices, with KitKat supporting devices with as little as 512MB RAM.
This will mean we should see it on new budget devices, and we can hold a little hope that older budget handsets will get a refresh - although it's unlikely manufacturers will revisit their older, cheaper smartphones.
We have been in contact with various manufacturers, and we will continue to update this article as news trickles in, so keep your eyes peeled.
Here's our guide to whether or not you're going to get the update to Google's latest iteration of Android, and when those updates should land.
Google Nexus
Android is Google's mobile OS, so the Android 4.4 KitKat update was always bound to land on certain Nexus devices. Unfortunately, the word 'certain' is key.
It seems that Google is only supporting the Nexus 4, Nexus 7 (both editions) and Nexus 10, with the updates landing "in the coming weeks".
The certain devices getting the KitKat update also include the Play editions of the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One, but not the Samsung-made Galaxy Nexus.
Reasons touted are that it doesn't fit in Google's 18-month update window, and that Texas Instruments no longer make mobile chips, so is unable to provide support.
Samsung
As flagship devices, we're expecting to see news at some point saying the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and Samsung Galaxy S4 Android 4.4 KitKat update is happening.
Currently, Samsung devices are already receiving updates. Many devices including the Galaxy S4 and S3 are gaining updates to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, meaning they gain Galaxy Gear support too.
Samsung has a wide variety of handsets out at the moment, covering all shapes, sizes and ends of the market - and there's hope smartphones towards the bottom end will be treated to 4.4.
As the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini, S4 Active and S4 Zoom didn't gain 4.3 Jelly Bean updates, Samsung might have been holding out for KitKat. Hopefully we'll find out soon.
HTC
The big question when it comes to HTC devices is likely to be 'Will the HTC One get Android 4.4 KitKat?'
Being a five star phone, we would expect to see the latest Android iteration land on the HTC One, although HTC promised that Android 4.3 Jelly Bean is on its way, expected in the Sense 5.5 overlay that we saw on the HTC One Max.
We'll also soon see if any of HTC's other devices, such as the HTC One Mini, and its older devices, such as the HTC One X and One X+, will get KitKat.
Sony
Sony has yet to announce which of its Xperia devices are set to get future updates, although we would be hopeful, if not a little expectant, that the Xperia Z and Xperia Z1 Android 4.4 KitKat updates are to be announced soon.
Sony aren't going to keep the world waiting. We should find out in the next few days, as the official Sony Xperia News Twitter account said on November 1 to watch out for news.
"re. #Android @KitKat, we're excited – next week our news on: 4.3, 4.4; products & more... #SonyXperia" Sony tweeted.
We'll be keeping an eye on the Sony Blog, and will let you know as soon as we hear anything.
LG
Good news, the LG G2 Android 4.4 KitKat update is real. Given that LG built the past two Nexus devices, we were a little hopeful.
LG has reiterated that the Nexus 4 is expected to receive its update in the next few weeks, whilst also confirming the LG G2 will get Android 4.4 KitKat, saying "the date for the G2 update is yet to be confirmed".
Other LG devices, including the LG G Pad 8.3 and its Optimus range could also be set of a refresh, with Android 4.4 KitKat supporting devices with RAM as low as 512MB.
Motorola
Google acquired Motorola not so long ago, if you count 18 months as not so long. Since then, the only major release that we have to speak of is the US-only Moto X.
Being both the parent company to the hardware and software components, we would at least hope to see a Moto X Android 4.4 KitKat update.
On a new devices front, we might see the Moto G, an expected budget device. Could this roll up with Android KitKat?
Huawei
When it comes to devices, Huawei may be famed for its budget offerings. This sometimes means that software updates can be a little hard to come by.
The Huawei Ascend P2 and Ascend P6 both have a lot to shout about, though, so we might well see Huawei Android 4.4 KitKat with the Emotion UI landing on both devices.
As for other devices, we've mentioned once or twice that there is support for lower end devices, so we may see support for more devices.
ZTE
Alongside Huawei, its Chinese compatriot ZTE is another firm that is famed for lower end devices.
Both the cheaper quad-core ZTE Blade V, now on the market toting 1GB RAM, as well as the 512MB RAM ZTE Blade 3, are both technically supported by KitKat.
Although ZTE currently has no word on planned updates, we could see an Android 4.4 KitKat upgrade land on these devices.
Acer
Acer isn't necessarily a brand that many will associate with Google's mobile OS, however it does have a few devices out there running Android software.
With tablets such as the Iconia A1, and Liquid branded smartphones like the Acer Liquid S1, we might well see some Android 4.4 KitKat update love being shared to the Taiwanese firm's devices.
As with every other manufacturer, we have contacted Acer to find out more.
Source : techradar[dot]com
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