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4.4 rolling out for Nexus 7 and Nexus 10
- Thread starter WhackyNinja
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Both cellular 2012 and 2013 Nexus 7's haven't received the update yet. Only wifi so far.
I gave my N7 a full charge earlier at work...
So far it's been on for 9 hours, screen has been on for 20 minutes, I've downloaded 4 apps and updated all the stock Google apps. Battery is still fully charged.
So, battery is definitely behaving better on 4.4! Pretty noticeable difference, and it's only the beginning. Gonna drain it down all the way and see what I can squeeze out of it. I'm satisfied. I wish they didnt exclude certain features and aspects of 4.4 (that the Nexus 5 has) but overall I am very happy with it.
So far it's been on for 9 hours, screen has been on for 20 minutes, I've downloaded 4 apps and updated all the stock Google apps. Battery is still fully charged.
So, battery is definitely behaving better on 4.4! Pretty noticeable difference, and it's only the beginning. Gonna drain it down all the way and see what I can squeeze out of it. I'm satisfied. I wish they didnt exclude certain features and aspects of 4.4 (that the Nexus 5 has) but overall I am very happy with it.
Was on 4.4 build KRT16O and my Nexus 7 2013 just prompted me to install an update, I'm now on build KRT16S. Seems more stable? Is this why Google was holding back? Anyone still waiting for update? I can attest to getting OTA finally, even though I already flashed 4.4 last week.
Its very simple just download the apk and install. Its said that Google wanted to see how people liked the Google launcher before rolling it out to other devices.
Again, super simple. Takes 2 minutes to install.
Noticed the same thing yesterday when I finally got the OTA update. Without GEL it's barely an update at all, pretty disappointing, if you ask me.
I'm sorry to beat on this dead horse but wasn't KitKat supposed to play nice with more devices and reduce fragmentation? This is no different than the crap Apple pulls by offering only some functionality to newer devices--and the Nexus 7 is all of 4 months old.
I think too many people are putting too much emphasis on the GEL. You can replicate it using a custom launcher like nova or apex anyway. I'm more happy with all the under the hood changes, like being able to control the location settings and getting much battery life when listening to music
Noticed the same thing yesterday when I finally got the OTA update. Without GEL it's barely an update at all, pretty disappointing, if you ask me.
I'm sorry to beat on this dead horse but wasn't KitKat supposed to play nice with more devices and reduce fragmentation? This is no different than the crap Apple pulls by offering only some functionality to newer devices--and the Nexus 7 is all of 4 months old.
Agree.
You can still manually install the GEL launcher (no root or anything):
http://phandroid.com/2013/11/14/how-to-install-google-experience-launcher-with-ok-google-command/
That's not the point. Everyone rails on Apple when they offer gimped features in new versions of iOS for older devices. How is this any different? Regardless of whether or not one chooses to use it, it's not included for anything other than Google's newest device. I don't give Apple a pass when they do it and I won't for Google.
And yes, I'm aware I can replicate it manually--most people won't though and I shouldn't have to.
Maybe I have missed it but the update seems fairly sparse.
Shame to see no art or launcher. Is the Nexus 7 getting left behind already?
- white notification icons
- white quick settings icons
- new unlock and button sounds
- white list over scroll
- printing service
- access to notifications from full screen video
- rounder toasts
Shame to see no art or launcher. Is the Nexus 7 getting left behind already?
I also agree, I haven't received the update on my Nexus 4 yet but have downloaded the GEL from a link provided in a previous post on this thread, point is, that with the update I shouldn't have too, no matter how easy it was. IMHO it's just bloody mindedness on Google's part. How much better it would have been for their PR if they introduced it for all the devices that were able to receive it, it just allows their competitors to point and scream fragmentation, what a silly decision Google.
ART does exist in the 2013 Nexus 7. Don't know why they left it out of the 2012 model.
I also agree. I'm quite disappointed with the super slow rollout of 4.4 and the lack of some features on many older devices. Also the 18 months cutoff for updates seems very strict and unnecessary. It means that my 9 months old Nexus 4 will probably not see an official update to 4.5...
This is interesting: http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/1...to-never-clear-google-service-framework-data/
Google Engineer Dan Morrill Sheds Some Light On The Nexus OTA Process, Urges You To Never Clear Google Service Framework Data
He explains why Google's update process takes weeks:
"Rollouts are conducted in phases. Typically they start at 1% of devices for around 24 - 48 hours; we watch the return rates and resulting device checkins and error reports (if any), and make sure nothing looks wrong before sending it to more. Then typically it goes to 25%, 50%, 100% over the course of a week or two.
What the percentages mean is that when your device checks in, it has a 1% chance (for example) of being offered the OTA. If it doesn't (randomly) get an offer, it will never get an offer until the next batch."
Google Engineer Dan Morrill Sheds Some Light On The Nexus OTA Process, Urges You To Never Clear Google Service Framework Data
He explains why Google's update process takes weeks:
"Rollouts are conducted in phases. Typically they start at 1% of devices for around 24 - 48 hours; we watch the return rates and resulting device checkins and error reports (if any), and make sure nothing looks wrong before sending it to more. Then typically it goes to 25%, 50%, 100% over the course of a week or two.
What the percentages mean is that when your device checks in, it has a 1% chance (for example) of being offered the OTA. If it doesn't (randomly) get an offer, it will never get an offer until the next batch."
I think it is because the 2012 Nexus 7 probably won't get 4.5/5.0.
Nexus devices typically get their last update 21-23 months after release and I don't see the next Android release being before May.
Sideload the GEL launcher
Nexus 7 2013 just received the update. Since I was updating I went ahead and sideloaded the GEL launcher at the same time. I think I got it off droid life IIRC.
I'm completely stock not rooted btw so no hacking needed for the GEL launcher. You just download it, enable sideloading in security and you're done.
So far no issues. I really like the new launcher on my Nexus 7. It seems to work perfectly here (just make sure Google search is up to date) and I can have the OK Google functionality from the home screen and the transparent nav bar and everything.
While subtle I like the look of kitkat. I think it looks more consistent and comfortable than the old UI (which I never had a problem with). All of my apps work fine. Having the immersive mode in Google Play books is a nice touch (I read a lot on my Nexus 7).
I know 4.4 breaks flash so if you are using that you might want to hold off but I gave up on mobile flash a while ago (sigh...) so for me 4.4 has been nothing but good. Highly recommend.
Nexus 7 2013 just received the update. Since I was updating I went ahead and sideloaded the GEL launcher at the same time. I think I got it off droid life IIRC.
I'm completely stock not rooted btw so no hacking needed for the GEL launcher. You just download it, enable sideloading in security and you're done.
So far no issues. I really like the new launcher on my Nexus 7. It seems to work perfectly here (just make sure Google search is up to date) and I can have the OK Google functionality from the home screen and the transparent nav bar and everything.
While subtle I like the look of kitkat. I think it looks more consistent and comfortable than the old UI (which I never had a problem with). All of my apps work fine. Having the immersive mode in Google Play books is a nice touch (I read a lot on my Nexus 7).
I know 4.4 breaks flash so if you are using that you might want to hold off but I gave up on mobile flash a while ago (sigh...) so for me 4.4 has been nothing but good. Highly recommend.