Most Nexus devices owners picked their devices for one of two reasons: it’s pure Android with no bloatware or themes, or because they get the latest Android updates first. Today Google has started rolling out its latest Android 4.4 ‘KitKat’ update to the first devices on its list since the Nexus 5 launched, and the first two in line are its Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 tablets.
The company announced earlier today that the Wi-Fi versions of its Asus-made Nexus 7 tablet and the Samsung-made Nexus 10 will be receiving the chocolate and wafer flavoured Android update over the next few weeks. It’s good news for owners of the original Nexus 7, too, because Google is bringing KitKat to both the 2012 and 2013 versions of its small tablet.
KitKat launched alongside the Nexus 5, the first device to bear the new software, late last month. It’s Google’s major update following on from the Jelly Bean saga which lasted several major updates in itself. It brings about a flatter and smoother user interface, new apps, a photo editor and a number of other slick upgrades and is surprisingly designed with cheaper phones in mind rather than the expensive flagship models we’ve become accustomed to being first in line for new Android updates.
For those with the 3G or ‘cellular’ versions of the Nexus 7, Google says the update will arrive “soon”, which is unfortunately rather vague. Things are even more ambiguous for Nexus 4 owners as Google hasn’t yet laid out its update plans for last year’s phone. We’re certain that it will get the KitKat update in the near future though, so don’t be panicking just yet.
If you’ve got a Nexus 7 or Nexus 10 then you’ll see the update notice come through within the coming days and weeks, but if you’re impatient like us then you’ll be heading into Settings > About tablet and mashing the System updates button like a crazy person.
We’ve checked our Nexus 7 (2012) for updates but unfortunately there’s no KitKat waiting for us just yet. We’ll update you with our findings once the update arrives.