Android 4.4.1 KitKat Release Date Coming? Incremental Update Surfaces On Web Servers, Suggesting Imminent Release

An Android 4.4.1 KitKat update may be coming soon as clues of the system’s existence are beginning to surface.

Recently, 9to5Google discovered several Nexus devices running the operating system within its servers. According to the tech website, such models as the Nexus 4, Nexus 5, and Nexus 7 have been testing Android 4.4.1 in Santa Clara, Calif, which is not far from Google’s headquarters in Mountain View. In addition, tech informant @LlabTooFeR has noted that the HTC One Google Play Edition may update to Android 4.4.1, reportedly build number KOT49E, “in the near future.” This could indicate that Nexus devices may also soon update. Notably, Nexus devices and Google Play Edition devices updated to Android 4.4 around the same time.

Not long after Android 4.4 was unveiled, reports indicated that Android 4.4.1 code was discovered that would disable transparent status and navigation bars on the Nexus 10 tablet. However, the Nexus 10 and other devices that have updated to Android 4.4 have done so without the Google Experience launcher, which remains exclusive to the Nexus 5. The launcher includes such features as the transparent status and navigation bars, and it also implements the voice-activated Google Now and Google Search.

Some wonder if Android 4.4.1 could bring these features to other devices. But developers believe the Nexus 10, at least, may not have the performance capacity to execute such Google Experience launcher features as transparent status and navigation bars.

The tech website Phandroid also reports that a number of anonymous devices running various unofficial Android versions such as Android 4.4.1, Android 4.6.7, and Android 9.9.9 have been discovered within its server logs. This could be an attempt by Google to throw fans and pundits off, but without any confirmation from the company, we just don't know what Google has in store.

Do you think Android 4.4.1 KitKat is on it’s way? Let us know in the comments below.

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