Samsung Galaxy S2, Ace, Mini with Android 4.4 KitKat Gets New Life Cycle; 10 Features to Expect:

Owners of the Samsung Galaxy S2, Galaxy Ace and Galaxy Mini may be able to rejoice in the upcoming Android 4.4. KitKat. The next-generation Android version has been speculated to feature low-memory optimization so that old devices can run it. Will Galaxy S2, Mini and Ace receive a new life cycle?

Samsung Galaxy S2, Ace and Mini

Source: Samsung

The Samsung Galaxy Ace and Mini are considered entry-level Android phones and features basic smartphone functionality due to low hardware components. Galaxy Ace boasts a single-core 800Mhz processor with 278MB of RAM and Android 2.3 Gingerbread. while the Galaxy Mini features a single-core 600Mhz single-core CPU, 384MB of RAM and Android 2.2 Froyo with Android 2.3 upgrade.

Source: Samsung

Samsung didn't release any new firmware upgrades for both smartphones such as Android 4.0 or 4.1. Normally, Android 4.0 ICS and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean require 512MB of RAM which are not found in both Galaxy Ace and Mini.

The  Samsung Galaxy S2, on the other hand, has better hardware components compared to the Galaxy Ace and Mini. The Galaxy S2 features 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM and runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread with given upgrade options to Android 4.0 and Android 4.1. Unfortunately, the Galaxy S2 hasn't received any Android 4.2 firmware, considering it was a former flagship smartphone capable of running the Jelly Bean version.

Source: Samsung

The Android 4.4 KitKat is rumoured to feature low-memory requirements which will be optimised to most Android devices with low hardware components. According to AndroidCentral, Google has been working on Linux 3.8 kernel which includes lower memory footprint that will enable old Android phones and tablets to run it.

Android 4.4 KitKat Features

Google hasn't officially announced the features and specifications delivered by the upcoming Android 4.4 KitKat, however, the company hinted out several things which may appear on the next-generation of Android.

1.      Rumoured Linux 3.8 kernel which will include low-memory optimisation.

2.      Improved CPU-core support and management.

3.      Better screen orientation adjustment response.

4.      Android's own cloud storage system.

5.      Enhanced network coverage.

6.      Compatibility to more accessories.

7.      Better battery life.

8.      Improved system performance.

9.      More stable UI and system.

10.  Enhancement to overall security features.

The Galaxy S2, Ace and Mini are all upgradable to Android Jelly Bean firmware, using custom-made ROMs from third-party developers. However, manually updating the device through firmware flashing may damage it, and so it is recommended to study custom ROMs well before installing them into your phones

Google & Nestle: Android 4.4 KitKat's Secrets and Truths Revealed!....

Android 4.4 is really coming soon and the next-generation Android version may fix the low-memory support on all old and aging devices. So how and when did Google and Nestlé come up with the idea?

Google and Nestlé Agreement

Back in March 2013 everyone was busy at the Mobile WorldCongress, Google and Nestlé planned the possible naming of the next Android version using KitKat. Both companies have sworn to secrecy and kept the plan confidential while people are excited with Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie rumours.

Google didn't stop the apparent Key Lime Pie identity speculated on the next-generation of Android OS and even used it as an internal code to refer 4.4 build version. The name Key Lime Pie sadly turned out to be unknown to most people how it truly tastes and so the company changed it to KitKat.

Head of Google's Android operations, Sundar Pichai, decided to use a name more common to the public for Android's next version. This led to a co-branding with Nestlé using KitKat as the next delicious name which also features major changes in the ecosystem never found yet in any other Android version in history.

"Maybe I'll be fired. When you try to lead a new way of communicating and profiling a brand you always have a higher risk than doing something much more traditional. You can go round the swimming pool 10 times wondering if the water is cold or hot or you say: Let's Jump," explanation of Nestlé's marketing chief Patrice Bula on taking Android 4.4 KitKat, quoted byAndroidAdvices.

Google and Nestlé finalised the details of Android going with KitKat at the Mobile World Congress 2013 which went through in private - concealing the truth from fans about Android's future - but it was necessary for the "greater good."

As a surprise, Google erected Android's new power symbol in KitKat form at headquarters in Mountain View which amazed everyone.

More Surprises from Android 4.4 KitKat

Google and Nestlé did surprise the world with the KitKat arrangement which started on a statue than KitKat promotion to get a brand-new Nexus 7 2013; you just have to find the right chocolate bar.

The next surprise coming from Android KitKat is the exclusive and first-hand software update of most Nexus devices and the grand revelation of the much awaited Google Nexus 5. Rumours are speculating that Android 4.4 will be announced on late October or early November 2013 with the celebration of Android's birthday which may be hosted by Nexus 5.

Other Nexus eligible to the update may include LG Nexus 4, Nexus 7 2012 and the Nexus 10. Older devices such as Galaxy Nexus and Nexus S may also be refreshed by the update with brand-new life cycle.

In addition to the Nexus brand, Google Edition smartphones running pure Android Vanilla UI are also qualified to receive early updates. It includes Samsung Galaxy S4, HTC One and the Sony Xperia Z.

Hinted features of Android 4.4 KitKat:

1.      Updated Linux kernel which features low-memory requirement.

2.      More processors supported.

3.      Greatly enhanced battery life.

4.      Wider global network coverage and compatibility.

5.      Smoother and refined system UI.

China Telecom ‘confirms’ iPhone 5S, iPhone 5C

China Telecom ‘confirms’ iPhone 5S, iPhone 5C:

NEW DELHI: While the world speculates about the launch of iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C, a Chinese telecom giant has practically confirmed the two Apple smartphones.

China Telecom, one of the three biggest telecom companies in the country, recently put up a pre-order page for the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C on its official website. It also posted information about the two smartphones on its Sina Weibo account. However, the web page and the posts were later taken down by the company.

According to reports, Apple has tied up with China Telecom, along with China Mobile and China Unicom, to launch the two rumoured iPhones on their networks. China Mobile, the world's biggest telecom operator, will carry the iPhone for the first time this year.

Apple has sent out invites for an exclusive event for China on September 11, just a day after it is expected to launch its new smartphones globally. This is the first time that the company is hosting an event exclusively for any country.

The China Telecom web page shed light on some features of the iPhone 5S flagship smartphone. It said that the phone has a larger screen, touch on the display panel, A7 processor, iOS 7 operating system, sapphire Home key, a gold version, supports LTE-A technology, wireless charging, larger battery capacity, support slow motion video capture and dual flash. Most of these features are in line with previously leaked specifications, though the larger screen has been mentioned for the first time for the iPhone 5S.

A recent WSJ report has said that Apple is currently testing iPhones with 4.8-inch and 6-inch screens. However, the devices scheduled to launch this year are widely expected to have a 4-inch screen, just like the one in iPhone 5.

A Chinese website has also leaked the first images of the retail box of the iPhone 5S. The image on the retail package shows a circle around the Home button of the phone, suggesting a fingerprint scanner. The user interface on the iPhone pictured on the box seems similar to the one previewed by Apple in iOS 7, which is likely to start seeding on the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C are launched.

The iPhone 5S is expected to be the new top-end model in Apple's smartphone line-up and feature a metal body. It is said to come in at least three colour options - black, white and gold. The rumoured cheaper model, named iPhone 5C, is said to have a plastic body and come in six colours, such as blue, red, green, yellow, white and black.