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Android 4.4.2 KitKat update for the Note 3 and S4 brings new features and interface changes (video)

posted by Daniel P. / Jan 17, 2014, 2:15 AM

Android 4.4.2 KitKat update for the Note 3 and S4 brings new features and interface changes (video)

The Android 4.4.2 KitKat update for the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 started rolling out in test batches for the SM-N9005 version in Europe, or you can sideload a certain leaked firmware if you are so inclined, too.

In case you want to check out what's in store with the Android 4.4 KitKat update for your trusted phablet, take a peak at the video below, which walks you through the new features and alterations in the interface. The guy rightfully concludes that the new Magazine UX, as found on Samsung's PRO tablets of late, or whatever it equivalent will be for its phones, is not going to appear on your Note 3 with the KitKat update, as it is probably meant for the new crop of flagships from Samsung, like the Galaxy S5.

There are subtle UI changes, though, like the transparent status bar and white icons there, brought about by the stock KitKat. As for new features, some are also the ones that Android 4.4 brings, like the ability to chose your default launcher from Settings, including third party ones, or choose your default messaging app to be Hangouts, and so on.

If you fire up the music player now, you will get full screen album art on the lock screen, similar to the Nexus 5, and also the default keyboard stocks a bunch of emoji emoticons. Google's Project Svelte has brought on a number of improvements under the hood, too, that make the Note 3 with KitKat feel a lot faster than before, and that's perhaps one of the biggest changes you'll notice right away when the update hits your phablet.

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PhoneArena Rating:

9.0

Read Full Review

User Rating:

9.4

Based on 107 Reviews

Display 5.7" 1080 x 1920 pixels

Camera 13 MP / 2 MP front

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 800, Quad-core, 2300 MHz

Storage 64 GB + microSDHC

Battery 3200 mAh(21h 3G talk time)

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28 Comments

1. tech2

Posts: 3487; Member since: Oct 26, 2012

Meanwhile on HTC One .....

posted on Jan 17, 2014, 2:25 AM 0

8. kaikuheadhunterz

Posts: 1157; Member since: Jul 18, 2013

Meanwhile on low-end and midrange phones...

posted on Jan 17, 2014, 3:41 AM 3

9. xperiaDROID

Posts: 5629; Member since: Mar 08, 2013

Meanwhile on Nokia 3310...

posted on Jan 17, 2014, 3:44 AM 1

10. EgyDroid

Posts: 111; Member since: Oct 10, 2013

Meanwhile in the dark ages....

posted on Jan 17, 2014, 4:04 AM 1

11. hipnotika

Posts: 353; Member since: Mar 06, 2013

meanwhile on graham bell :D

posted on Jan 17, 2014, 5:57 AM 1

12. GoJin

Posts: 10; Member since: Feb 05, 2013

.meanwhile on the commode...

posted on Jan 17, 2014, 6:15 AM 0

2. pokerc

Posts: 60; Member since: May 24, 2012

Awesome!

posted on Jan 17, 2014, 2:26 AM 0

19. adecvat

Posts: 638; Member since: Nov 15, 2013

Awesome! It is still laggy.

posted on Jan 17, 2014, 9:55 AM 0

3. S3AllTheWay

Posts: 2; Member since: Jul 26, 2012

its definitely speeded up my moto G in a big way - thanks google

posted on Jan 17, 2014, 2:53 AM 2

5. tech2

Posts: 3487; Member since: Oct 26, 2012

Have you enabled ART ? If no, you should. You'll notice even apps open faster after the update

posted on Jan 17, 2014, 3:16 AM 0

17. PapaSmurf

Posts: 10457; Member since: May 14, 2012

But takes up more user storage.

posted on Jan 17, 2014, 8:44 AM 0

18. tech2

Posts: 3487; Member since: Oct 26, 2012

Yes. But by only 10-15% more and lets face this is an experimental feature for now but sooner or later Google is going to integrate them in the OS with future android version. So you'll probably need to make space then. Better make space now then later.

posted on Jan 17, 2014, 9:07 AM 0

4. 21babydoll12 unregistered

I honestly hope they fix all the major software bugs. Seriously, i know theres a lot of people with laggy interface, constant reboots, bluetooth disconnection, usb 3.0 unable to charge and recognize, even the air gesture doesnt work accurately. Maybe im nick picking but ive been disappointed by the note 3. I miss my n7000:(

posted on Jan 17, 2014, 3:09 AM 1

7. livyatan

Posts: 867; Member since: Jun 19, 2013

Laggy interface? Constant reboots? I've honestly to God NEVER encountered any of that. It only got frozen twice in 3 months, which I consider to be amazingly stable. Which Note version you have? The Wi-Fi connection occasionally shows some glitches, I give you that

posted on Jan 17, 2014, 3:26 AM 9

21. N.Reynolds

Posts: 257; Member since: Feb 15, 2011

Well she is being nick picky. So maybe she is doing something different. Lol. I am quite nit picky with my phones as well and I actually love my Note 3 (which is a lot to say coming from someone who hates Touchwiz) I still wish I could run Vanilla Android on my Note with the added features of TouchWiz. (Multi-window and S-Pen features) I haven't had any issues with my Note which surprises me considering I had 3 S4's in a week which were all plagued with problems.

posted on Jan 17, 2014, 12:41 PM 0

22. 21babydoll12 unregistered

I originally purchased the n9000 with a horrible battery issue(OEM swelling) and glitchy UI. Returned the unit and opted for n9005 when I came back into the states. Probably a bad lot. n9005 had more reboots then I can remember. Pissed me off when I lost my internal data storage...my fault since I didn't back it up. Im disappointed with my N3. But happy with my G2. For now...eagerly waiting to see the N4 though

posted on Jan 17, 2014, 3:56 PM 0

13. Carlitos

Posts: 664; Member since: Oct 23, 2011

I don't understand why people keep saying leggy interface. I got this phone on android 4.2.2, in September, and I never saw lag. However, occasionally very rare I would see that stutter, and I would somewhat understand when people complained. But ever since the android 4.3 update in November for my GS4 there has been absolutely no lag, or stutters. Same goes for my mom's and friends s4.

posted on Jan 17, 2014, 6:38 AM 1

14. rangaha

Posts: 86; Member since: Dec 05, 2013

obvious shill post

posted on Jan 17, 2014, 7:29 AM 0

15. AntiFanBoyz unregistered

I haven't had a single problem. My original Note was practically unusable before I upgraded. It was super slow; I couldn't even answer or place calls without a 20 second delay. I honestly hope my Note 3 stays as awesome as it has been for the last 3 months.

posted on Jan 17, 2014, 8:23 AM 3

6. livyatan

Posts: 867; Member since: Jun 19, 2013

It feels "a lot faster"? I honestly can't imagine that since my Note 3 already works flawlessly and buttery smooth. Since I bought it, it received 3 software updates and has only frozen up twice in 3 months of really heavy use

posted on Jan 17, 2014, 3:22 AM 5

16. PapaSmurf

Posts: 10457; Member since: May 14, 2012

I sent this to PA and NO mention of anything? Last time I tip anything.

posted on Jan 17, 2014, 8:43 AM 0

20. JEverettnow

Posts: 228; Member since: Mar 11, 2013

I WANT THIS NOW!!!!!

posted on Jan 17, 2014, 12:33 PM 0

23. darkkjedii

Posts: 30966; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

Apple and Samsung/android both bit off wp8, with the slide up from the lock screen camera icon. Looks nice too.

posted on Jan 18, 2014, 10:43 AM 0

24. omruddha

Posts: 2; Member since: Nov 21, 2012

F### Samsung...always hate it!!

posted on Jan 19, 2014, 6:39 AM 0

26. josh_dent910

Posts: 6; Member since: Oct 11, 2013

Why are you here then?

posted on Feb 03, 2014, 3:16 AM 0

25. sunny.mitra

Posts: 1; Member since: Feb 01, 2014

Honestly speaking I love my Note 3. It's THE titan of it's kind. Overall it got faster and even snappier after the Kitkat update. But I noticed one problem while playing Asphalt-8:Airborne after the upgrade. It lags a load after playing for a couple of minutes. Though the problem wasn't there on the previous version i.e. Jelly Bean. It seriously freaks me like hell! And I also noticed some accidental call drops or screen freezes (though a very lil which might not be due to the update). By the way, I'm using the Exynos version. Anyone of you having the same problem ?

posted on Feb 01, 2014, 3:50 AM 0

27. hellobib

Posts: 18; Member since: Nov 20, 2013

Its just suck that moto g is getting update before note 3, Samsung sucks, T-Mobile is even sucker, so i am leaving tmobile n definitely won't chew on samsung no more.....

posted on Feb 06, 2014, 11:20 PM 0

28. randompeople

Posts: 1; Member since: Apr 01, 2014

still has not addressed the issue with the lagging notifications on the gear since kitkat... that was the main reason i use this thing and now its delayed. guess samsung isnt concerned about the gear anymore...

posted on Apr 01, 2014, 11:12 AM 0

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