In the previous leak of Android 4.4, the surprise Easter Egg was a slice of lime over a large K, representing the Google code name for 4.4 – Key Lime Pie. Things have changed since then, as KitKat has been revealed as the new name for the next version of Android.
The latest leak, displayed here on a Nexus 7 (2013) tablet, shows an “androidified” KitKat logo – though Key Lime Pie is still evident. Google will be changing this to KitKat before the release of 4.4. To get to the Android Easter Eggs, in the “About Phone” settings you scroll down to Android Version and tap on it quickly.
Long press on the new Easter Egg and you find a patchwork of Android version logos – there is Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, FroYo (frozen yoghurt), a stylised “Android” Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Icecream Sandwich, Jellybean and Key Lime Pie (now KitKat). Interestingly, there are what could be a few licorice allsorts thrown in to stir a debate.
In the app drawer there are few noticeable changes relating to icons, such as the now round Google, Google settings and Voice Search icons. Settings has changed from a square icon with slide controls to a cog, and G+ Photos makes an appearance.
The notification icons are all white, which has been consistent in all of the previous leaks. It would seem that this build is an older work-in-progress, as the Gallery icon is still in place – in newer leaks the Gallery has disappeared, perhaps to be integrated into G+ Photos.
In this image we have the current 4.3 app drawer on the left vs the rumoured 4.4 app drawer:
The Clock app now has a cleaner and less fussy look, with the alarm moved into the clock swipe settings:
In Settings (with the new cog icon), we see Tap and pay – Googles wireless NFC payment system, and a new item called Home. This could be the integration of the Google Experience launcher that we reported on recently:
A few of the changes have been different from leak to leak, but that is to be expected as Android 4.4 develops. Nothing will be finalised until Google releases the updated operating system, which we expect to be very soon.
What changes are you looking forward to in Android 4.4? Should Google just say “Enough with the leaks, we’ll release it now!”. Let us know in the comments.
Looks very clean …
Aww. I thought they finally got rid of currents
Eh?? Currents is great; you’re not a fan? What do you use instead?
google plus
I’m not much of a Social Networker, but G+ is great for content, I agree.
Just started using currents. Like it a lot and wish I had started using it earlier. Need more Australian content, though. Hint: Ausdroid is there …
This has been such an excruciating wait. I can’t believe I’m getting sucked into so much hype over a point release but 4.4 is massively exciting. So much expectation. So much unknown!