Samsung's 2012 flagship smartphones Galaxy Note 2 and Galaxy S3 are reportedly getting the Android KitKat update in a few weeks time.
The news was disclosed by the Samsung customer care, while replying to a query posted by the technology blog, Ruliweb. The company said that the Galaxy Note 2 is slated get latest KitKat OS update in mid-April and Galaxy S3 around April end or early May.
The revelation comes close on the heels of a report of Galaxy Note 2 (Samsung SHV-E250), a South Korean model being spotted at a benchmarking website (GFXBench) running the v4.4.2 KitKat OS.
However, there are some doubts whether Galaxy S3, which is almost 2 years old would get the new update, since the company is only obligated to provide software support for 18-months after the device gets released to the market.
Now, going by the reports from South Korea, Samsung's 2012 flagship devices are expected to receive the new software anytime soon beginning with home market, and later to other regions.
In February, Samsung USA too had confirmed that Galaxy Note 2 and Galaxy S3 would receive the latest Android OS update, but details of the specific time line of release was never revealed.
As per latest reports, Samsung has released KitKat update to Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy S4 in almost all markets. Other expected devices slated to taste new chocolate-wafer flavored OS are Galaxy S4 Mini, S4 Active, S4 Zoom, Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy S3, S3 Mini, Galaxy Mega, Galaxy Light and tablets such as Galaxy Note 8.0, Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014 Edition), Note 10.1 and the Galaxy Tab 3.
Brief description of Android v4.4 KitKat OS update features:
Location Menu: This integrated location menu enables users to 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 users to automatically back-up photos and video clips. They 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 the 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 users 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. They 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 and also listen to music while browsing 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)
