Samsung's 2013 marquee smartphones, Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 3 will reportedly get the Android v4.4 KitKat OS firmware in January 2014.
Popular network carrier of France, SFR confirmed the news via its official blog and said that the company would kick start KitKat update process to Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 3 subscribers between late January and early February.
Though the OS update is region specific to France, many believe that the other global carriers will also follow suit to release the new chocolate-wafer flavored firmware to their high-end Galaxy smartphone consumers with little difference in time line.
In related news, Samsung is also rumoured to release the new KitKat to a slew of mid-range smartphones - Galaxy S4 Mini (GT-I9190), S3 Mini (GT-I8190), ACE 3(GT-S7270), S Advance (GT-I9070), Ace 2 (GT-I8160), Core (GT-I8262), Fame (GT-S6810) and Fresh (GT-S7390) and more next year.
Brief description of key features of Android v4.4 KitKat OS:
Improved Caller-ID: If a caller 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 prioritise contact list for easy access, based on the frequency of the users' calls.
Immersive display: To enhance 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: Taking a leaf out of Apple's iMessage feature, Google has brought in some improvements to the new Hangouts app and now, users can find all their text SMSs and MMSs, audio and video call details all at one place. They also can 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, the keypad comes with native Japanese Emoji emotion icons.
NFC and Wireless Printing: Google's new OS comes with improved Quickoffice app where-in people can create and store word documents online as well as print files wirelessly on NFC-enabled HP printers.
Bluetooth MAP (Message Access Profile): This feature enables android devices in cars with Bluetooth support to exchange messages.
Multi-tasking: With efficient RAM management, users can multi-task by opening multiple applications; Listen to music while you can browse through the net.
Performance: With low system requirements the new KitKat OS will bring performance enhancements and also increase battery life.
