Android 4.4 KitKat Release Date Arrives: US Cellular Moto X Receives New OS, Sprint Update Details Remain Unknown

As the Android 4.4 KitKat update for the Motorola Moto X continues to roll out, the U.S. Cellular model of the Moto X is now receiving the latest Android operating system. Currently, the Moto X is the only non-Nexus carrier-branded device receiving Android 4.4 KitKat.

Though the Moto X is not a Nexus device, with Motorola now being a division of Google, it is for all intents and purposes a Google device. It makes sense that Motorola would have an easier time navigating the update process than other manufacturers, many of which are not expected to begin updating their current devices to Android 4.4 until well into 2014. The Moto X runs a slightly modified version of stock Android. Prior to the Android 4.4 KitKat update, the device ran Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, the operating system with which it released in August.

The Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile Moto X models have already updated to Android 4.4, leaving the Sprint and Republic Wireless awaiting their updates. Republic Wireless recently announced its Moto X will update to Android 4.4 in early January. Currently, the update timeline for the Sprint Moto X remains unknown, but Motorola’s Punit Soni says the update is currently being worked on.

Android 4.4 for the U.S. Cellular Moto X is now available over-the-air, which can be checked manually by accessing Settings > About phone > Check for updates. Access the U.S. Cellular Moto X changelog for more information. Users may want to wait until their device prompts that the Android 4.4 update is available, as they will have to initialize the update through settings anyway.

For the Moto X, the Android 4.4 KitKat update includes enhancements to the Moto X phone dialer, camera and gallery and Google Hangouts, as well as the touchless control “find my phone” command, enhanced NFC support for Host Card Emulation, and the increased Accessory support for the Square credit card reader.

Has your U.S. Cellular Moto X begun to update to Android 4.4 KitKat? Let us know in the comments below.

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