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WhatsApp is the world’s most used messaging app, as it makes both corporate and person-to-person communication easy and universal internationally. Because of its worldwide reach, it’s integral that the app is available to as many people as possible across different operating systems and OS versions. Not all localities are able to use Android 14 with the technological resources available to them, so some have stuck with Android versions as far back as Android 4.4, otherwise known as KitKat. Now, as we noted back in April that beta versions indicated would happen, WhatsApp has dropped support for KitKat with its newest app version for Android.
Dropbox declares end of support for Android 4.4 KitKat and 5 Lollipop
But the app will probably keep working for a long time
It's always admirable when a developer supports older operating systems; but there comes a time of diminishing returns when the effort to keep software working on old versions becomes disproportionately expensive compared to the ever-dwindling number of decrepit devices that still use an app. Such is the situation with Dropbox, which just declared the end of support for Android 5.x and older.
Android Messages just hit version 3.0. While hitting a new major version number might be an occasion for big things in some apps, this one appears to be a simple incremental step up from version 2.9. While there aren't any immediately obvious changes on the surface of this update, there are some things happening under the hood. It looks like support for KitKat has been dropped with this update, leaving behind about 12% of previously supported Android devices. There are also clues about changes to notifications about pictures and videos, enhanced chat features, and making purchases.
The ZTE Spro 2 was initially announced two years ago, and later available for sale through AT&T for $500 without a contract ($400 with an agreement). It's definitely an odd device - it's running Android with access to the Google Play Store, so you can project your favorite media apps without a connected device. Now you can get it for $399, $100 off the starting price.Now you're probably wondering, "Why has it only dropped $100 over two years?" Well, projectors are generally expensive, and the Spro 2 has a decent 200 lumens of brightness. The resolution is only 1280x720, but ZTE says it can project up to a 120-inch image.[EMBED_YT]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NT7hBtsHcz4[/EMBED_YT]As mentioned above, it's running Android 4.4.4 KitKat (as far as I can tell, it was never updated) on top of a Snapdragon 800 CPU. You can also use it as a standard projector with the HDMI input or Miracast functionality. It has a microSD card slot, a 6,300mAh battery, and works as a hotspot.The eBay listing says the device is new, but in an open box. Considering the Wi-Fi model is being sold by Best Buy for 9 and Amazon for 7, this isn't a bad deal at all.Source: eBay
In order for a circle jerk to work, the stroking has to go both ways. Google did Nestle a solid when it named Android 4.4 after the company's easily-broken-chocolate-bar-sticks. Now Nestle is taking a moment to return the favor. In the UK, the company has replaced Kit Kat branding with the words "YouTube Break" on over 600,000 limited edition wrappers.
Microsoft is in the midst of its annual Build conference. This is sort of like Google I/O or WWDC, but with fewer online viewers. Wednesday's keynote presentation was filled with announcements about Windows 10, the Microsoft Edge browser, an augmented reality headset, and quite a bit more. One product failed to earn stage time: the Visual Studio Emulator for Android, but developers may find renewed interest since the latest version is showing maturity as it expands through the addition of Device Profiles and a number of other recent enhancements.
When the Nabi 2 received an update to Nabi OS 3.0 last month, this bumped it up to KitKat a year and a half after Google unveiled that particular version of Android to the world. Now the Disney and Nickelodeon editions of the tablets have stumbled in to receive 4.4 even later.
The Verizon Ellipsis 7 is probably not the first choice for tablets among Android Police readers. It's a low-end, whitebox tablet from some no-name OEM that Verizon has rebranded in order to create a product that could sit at the very bottom of its tablet lineup. Even so, those people who did buy an Ellipsis 7 (or got one for free in various packaged promotions) were probably quite happy to see the KitKat update come in a couple of weeks ago... assuming they actually got to use it.
The Verizon Ellipsis 7 launched in November of 2013, a time shortly after Google released the Nexus 5 and manufacturers were thinking about pushing KitKat to their devices. Given the timing, it made sense that Verizon didn't ship Android 4.4 on its tablet.
Opening statement giving a broad overview of device updates. Introduction of specific manufacturer, carrier, and model. Expression of dissatisfaction at the state of Android updates. Date comparison of release of specific Android version and the latest version. Specific call to action for carrier and/or manufacturer. Lamentation on behalf of affected users. Grudging link to documentation of software update. In case you couldn't tell yet, we do a lot of these overdue carrier update posts on Android Police, and they aren't any more fun for us to write than they are for you to read.
Look, Fuhu's products aren't for you. They're for your kids, or possibly your extended family if you're a really cool uncle or grandma or something. So the company doesn't have the same kind of demanding scrutiny for timely software updates as, say, the latest Galaxy Tab. Even so, the Nabi 2's update to Android 4.4 is being sent out almost a year and a half after the software was first available, and it's not like Fuhu has a ton of other products waiting in line.
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As OnePlus One owners wait (im)patiently for a Lollipop update, there's still work to be done on KitKat for this device. OnePlus has completed work on a CM11 system update, and it's pushing to devices later today. The update is release 05Q (based on Android 4.4.4) and contains a hefty list of fixes and improvements.
So, the regular Galaxy S5 is finally starting to get an update to Android 5.0, and what's this? The GS5 Active on AT&T is getting an update. Could it be? Is this the moment we've been waiting for? Oh... nope. It's just Android 4.4.4.
Update, January 11th, 2015: Verizon has issued another update alert for the Galaxy Note 4.4.4. This one also updates the phone to 4.4.4 and includes the same changelog, but for some reason the build number is changed to N900VVRUDNK1. Whether or not there was a problem with the original rollout, we can't say, but it appears to be continuing.
The developer dashboard has been updated, and there's some big movement this month. In the post holiday window, KitKat is up a healthy 5.2% and Gingerbread drops another 1.3%. One thing you won't see on the chart is Lollipop. Android 5.0 still hasn't hit the 0.1% threshold to be included in the data, just like last month.
Since it was unveiled in February 2013, Oppo’s Find 5 has been running versions of their ColorOS based on Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. The release of KitKat in October of 2013 has had Find 5 owners waiting anxiously for a 4.4-based version of ColorOS on their devices. The presence of ColorOS 2.0, based on KitKat, running on newer Oppo devices like the N3 and R5 has only increased their anticipation. Still, when users saw Oppo announce a ColorOS 2.0 build based on Android 4.4 for the Find 5, they were quickly disappointed by a bug-filled experience.
I have to hand it to you guys who've been using T-Mo's Galaxy Tab 3 - you've been powering through with Jelly Bean (4.2, no less) for...ever. Looks like all your patience is finally paying off, as T-Mo is now sending KitKat to Tab 3s over the air.
Remember last night, when we were excited about the Galaxy S5 getting its Android 5.0 update already, at least in Poland? That was nice. Let's try to hang on to that warm, comforting feeling while we face this cold fact: a combination of lowered expectations for non-flagship devices and good old US carrier apathy means many Android owners won't be so lucky. For example, the Galaxy S4 Zoom on AT&T is just now getting its update to Android 4.4, more than a year after the release of both KitKat and the phone itself.