Earlier this month, Japanese consumer electronics giant, Sony had listed a handful of 2013 flagship smartphones that are slated to receive the new Android KitKat firmware. Now the company is reportedly planning to release the latest Android update to a slew of mid-range models as well.
Software update help-pages of Xperia SP, T, TX, V have revealed that the company is evaluating its options to rollout updates to these devices, reported Sony dedicated website, Xperia Blog.
The official Xperia Care website has mentioned that Xperia SP model will initially receive v4.3 Jelly Bean by 2013 end and would get the new KitKat flavour there after (does not specify any time line), whereas the other models - Xperia T, TX, V, ZR have been placed 'under investigation', suggesting the Sony may or may not release KitKat update to these variants.
[To check out if your Sony Xperia smartphone model is expecting any updates, Click Here]
It is to be noted that during the KitKat OS unveiling, Google, in its bid to reach out to the next one billion people had announced that the new software's footprint was slimmed down to make it compatible with budget phones having just 512MB RAM. Hence Sony Xperia model (T, TX, V and ZR) owners can expect to get the new update sooner or later.
As of now, 2013-marquee devices Xperia Z1, Z Ultra, Z, Xperia Tablet Z and ZL are confirmed to receive the KitKat update.
Key enhancements to be seen in Android v4.3 Jelly Bean:
Keyboard and input: The keypad is said to get an improved algorithm for tap- typing, making text messaging less cumbersome. It is also said to enhance the gamepad.
Dial Pad: Enhanced Auto-complete feature will predict more accurate phone-number and names. Users can go to phone settings to enable or disable the option.
Location: Feature will detect hot-spots without turning on the Wi-Fi mode all the time.
Settings: New tab has been introduced to let users check whether certain apps are disabled or not.
Language support: More dialects have been enabled in the new Jelly Bean OS and now it can support Hindi as well.
Network: Bluetooth Smart (Low Energy) support will make smartphones use less power while transferring data.
Daydream: This new feature will enable users to browse through the photos via easily accessible albums.
Restricted Access: Once updated with 4.3 Jelly Bean, users can create profiles for guest user with restricted access to apps and other contents.
Key enhancements brought in to the 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 peoples' contacts to which users talk.
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; 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, 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 memory management, users can multi-task by opening multiple applications and even listen to music while browsing through the net.
Performance: With low system requirements, the new KitKat OS is expected to bring performance enhancements and also increase battery life.
