In February, Samsung USA had stated that Samsung Galaxy S3 would receive the KitKat update soon. The company has now kept its promise and is rolling out the update to the device.
American network carrier, Sprint has released the chocolate-wafer flavored Android OS (build number: L710VPUCND8) to the Samsung's 2012 flagship phone Galaxy S3. The firmware is available via OTA (Over-The-Air) as well as PC suite (for manual downloading using desktop).
Galaxy S3 Owners can check for updates on the phone:
Go to Apps >> click Settings >> tap More >> scroll down to About device >> check Android version and build number
Other network providers are also said to follow suit in the USA, but the contentious issue that still remains is whether Samsung has any plans to make the KitKat OS available to the Galaxy S3 international variant. Android v4.3 Jelly Bean was the last major OS update (in November) for the device. It will be really unfair for loyal fans if the South Korean company ignores to push updates in global markets.
So far, Samsung has released KitKat update only to 2013 flagship devices- Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy S4, Galaxy S4 Active (in USA), Galaxy Note 2 (in France and India) and Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014 Edition) in almost all markets. The company is also set to roll out new firmware to Galaxy S4 Mini, S4 Zoom, Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy S3 Mini, Galaxy Mega, Galaxy Light, and tablets such as Galaxy Note 8.0, Note 10.1 and Galaxy Tab 3.
Key features of Android v4.4 KitKat OS update:
Location Menu: This integrated location menu enables users easily activate GPS, Wi-Fi and mobile networks, while simultaneously keeping a tab on the battery consumption by the location service based apps.
Enhanced Google Mobile Service (GMS) apps: This application helps user to automatically back-up photos and video clips. He/she also can create, view, share rename Google Docs and files.
Improved Caller-ID: If a user receives a call from unknown number, the phone will look for matches on the net with local listings via Google Maps.
Priority Contacts: The new OS empowers the phone to automatically prioritize contact list for easy access, based on the frequency of calls made to a number.
Immersive display: To enhance the entertainment factor, the new OS comes with immersive mode, where the status bar and navigation buttons disappear in to the back ground while you play music, games and read e-books. Users can just swipe the edge of the screen to bring back the utility buttons.
Enhanced Message grouping: Google has brought in some improvements to the new Hangouts app; now, users can find all their text SMSs and MMSs, audio and video call details all at one place. He/She can also share location and send animated GIFs.
Emoji Characters: Initially users had to install third party app to use colorful characters in their SMS. Now, with KitKat update, the keypad comes pre-loaded with native Japanese Emoji emotion icons.
NFC and Wireless Printing: Google's new OS comes with a new Quickoffice app where-in people can create and store word documents in cloud storage as well as print files wirelessly on NFC-enabled HP printers.
Multi-tasking: with efficient memory management, users can multi-task by opening multiple applications; Listen to music while you can browse through the net.
Performance: Like all software updates, the new KitKat enhances smartphone's performance as well as efficient RAM management, leading to an increase in battery.
[ED:VS]
