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Yesterday, Motorola posted details about a Verizon Moto X soak test that would begin rolling out to users “very soon.” They had no problem confirming it was KitKat, though they decided to redact that information after realizing someone broke the NDA and leaked the news online. That said, the cat is out of the bag and Motorola and Verizon Wireless are still thrilled to announce that the rollout will begin as soon as today!
You should note that this upgrade will be going out in stages, so not everyone will have a chance to dig in right away. Don’t fret if you don’t, though — we’re sure those upgrades will be delivered straight to your phone before the cows come home. So not only did the Moto X beat the Nexus phones, it also happened to be the Verizon version. Where are those flying pigs, ma?
Prepare yourself by charging your phone up and finding a WiFi connection, because we’re pretty sure this one’s going to be a hefty download. We’ll be updating this post whenever we can confirm the rollout actually begins, but be sure to start mashing that “check now” button if you’re as eager and impatient as we are!
[Update]: It’s rolling out! Several folks are reporting that the update is now live and going out to the first batch of folks. This process should take a few weeks to get everyone up and going, though you may get lucky and find a way to pull it down before you’re “scheduled” to receive it. Go ahead and check for it in the Settings > About Phone menu of your Verizon Moto X.
[via Motorola]
THATS AMAZING! Never would i have thought Verizon would roll out an update this quick.
And a shot has been fired across the bow of Google’s Nexus program partners……
this should be fun to watch……..
Looks like the Nexus devices won’t be around for along at this rate. That was quick Motorola. And im extremely surprised with Verizon rolling it out first.
agreed, while they may keep the name alive, it wouldn’t shock me if all future N’s are from Moto.
Suits me. Moto build better phones than LG anyway.
OK so Moto X is getting Kitkat and still no release of the nexus 4 OTA… First the sd card out, then a nexus 5 launcher exclusive to it and now priority gave to material on sales… What is the point of getting a nexus now…
Google will eventually hand over Nexus to Motorola. Duh.
Google is playing the long-term game.
Meanwhile Google couldn’t provide timely Android updates when they had the Nexus on Verizon. Have times changed?
Obviously that wasn’t Google as all the other GNex’s got updated on time.
The N5/Google experience launcher is nothing special, trust me – you’re really not missing out on much.
Geez, still waiting for my Nexus 7 update to be pushed…
Same here. This is starting to make me angry. There seems to be no rhyme or reason as to how they push their updates out.
My nexus 7 2013 is still waiting for the KK OTA… Im too lazy to manually download the update and root the tablet to install it…
No need to root. It’s adb sideloadable using stock recovery.
So a carrier phone is getting 4.4 before my Nexus 7! You are kidding me right?!?
Well done Moto, well done. Hopefully they get to update all their devices this quick from now on.
wonder the time frame for the droid series
If this is similar to the camera update experience, I hope my Maxx gets this shortly. (btw, an awesome phone)
Agreed. I have the Maxx too. IIRC, the Droids (wife has the mini) got the camera update 4-5 days after Moto X announcement was made, so maybe the Droids will be on KK by Thanksgiving….
Verizon. first.. update? I’m betting on the Cubs to win the World Series next year!
and I’ll bet on the bobcats!
Wow this is unprecedented. Not only does a 3rd party (non-Nexus) phone get KitKat before some actual Nexus, but Verizon releases it first OTA.
If I was buying a new phone right now it would 100% be the Moto X. The 4.7″ non-pentile OLED screen is the perfect form factor, not too big, and it now runs stock KitKat.
Except it doesn’t run “stock” Kit Kat…
No phone does. The N5 software isn’t AOSP.
I never said anything about the Nexus 5. I think you are completely off topic.
Who said anything about the N5? Your comment has nothing to do with my reply.
Still rocking my VZW Gnex and looking for a new phone.. switching carriers isn’t an option. wanted the 5 but the Moto X might have to do..
Seriously, grab the Moto X. You won’t be sorry.
f-it.. ordering in 3…2….1…..X
You would also like the Maxx, if you can deal with the Droid bloatware, the battery is great
I had the original Droid before the Gnex…. I’ve always liked Moto hardware.
Before the Nexus 4, Nexus 7 3G, Nexus 7 LTE, and both Google Play Edition phones. WOW. Hell has frozen over and I like it.
Dont forget, Google owns Motorola Mobility and also the Moto X is much hotter than the Nexus 5, look at the ad campaigns ect….
Flying pigs indeed.
I’m confused.. I kept reading Verizon AND Motorola first to get kit kat out. But it just doesn’t make sense…
Holy SHMOKES! Hell must have frozen over. And boy am I excited. I made the executive decision just yesterday to pick up a MotoX instead of the Nexus5 on Verizon – they had a KILLER sale and scored it for $50 (on contract of course). Arrives this Friday and should be KitKat practically out the gate. And meanwhile my poor first gen Nexus 7 is still awaiting the official OTA. In fact, I think flying pigs are zipping around the frozen lakes of hell right now. Man do I feel like made a totally great call.
the new Nexus!
I’d feel pretty bad if I still had my Nexus 4 and a ‘third party’ got the update first. Maybe it’s no longer Nexus is the way to go, but rather Moto? I’m shocked.
I sometimes feel like google is losing interest in Android. (was really hard to say that, felt like a breakup line)
on the contrary, now that the Android environment is robust with people hitting Google’s servers and generating ad revenue, they decided to circle back and make money on the hardware side too.
What hardware ? The X is a Motorolla phone. The fact that Google has ownership doesnt mean they designed or developed this piece of junk. By the timeline, the X was in development before Google bought them. An actual Google phone wouldnt be so disappointing.
You are actually specifically wrong. the Moto X was designed with 100% partnership between Motorola and Google. It was the FIRST device they collaborated on jointly. Check your facts and stop spreading incorrect BS rumors. thanks.
The X is the first Googorola phone.
I just hit “Check for System Updates”
DOWNLOAD IN PROGRESS!!!!!! HECK YA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hooray, letting Verizon peeps get updates first. So used to being at the end of the line. It feels nice that my Maxx should get this soon (based on the camera update experience). Crossing fingers and toes.
Just got the update on my Verizon Moto X. Phone is noticeably faster and display is improved. I am very happy right now.
How about the 2013 nexus 7 , still waiting!!!!!!!!!!
Ran to Costco last night and bought a black VZW Moto X when I saw that the soak test was KK — just checked software update…..downloading now!!
installed. awesome. no tap to pay yet though and you still need to apk install GEL.
What’s the point of the GEL on the X? It’s always listening without it. I’m just curious
https://db.tt/MGfWa7ms
This is the Wallet APK from the Nexus 5. That will get your tap & pay working.
was curious about tap and pay, if you can’t get it working by downloading it from the play store then what’s the point of emulating the secure element to get around the carriers?
downloading the software update to kitkat right now. It’s already taken 25 minutes on a 50MB connection, and it’s at 51%.
This update is HUUUUUGE
This awesome. Downloading the update now.
Ah…Verizon will always put Moto first. And I will always have to deal with being stonewalled on updates as an HTC owner…
AND HELL HAS FROZEN OVER!!!!!
Funny. I had a nexus one. Skip the galaxy nexus for a RAZR because of Samsung. Dumped the razor for a nexus 4 Because of the bootloder locked and the awful update policy. And now the latest motorola is up dated before my nexus…. Wtf… I think I am cursed… Definitely snowing in hell O:-)
How close to stock is this version of 4.4 ?
How come it’s happening before Nexus 4.
At last that unfair manufacturer advantage is exposed. #trolling
If a Verizon device gets Kitkat before my Nexus 4 does… Something is seriously wrong
Especially considering how much better the Nexus 4 is.
Oh yeah?
I Just like Nexus better, i dont think these phones even come close. Well obviously the Nexus 5 is the best. I was supporting moopuna.
Have u owned an X, its a stock experience like an Nexus but IMO better software tweaks, touchless controls, active notifications etc. The nexus program is great and nothing get the Hypebeast going like a future Nexus release but the moto X to me is the best all aroind Android phone out there now.
well if you guys like the moto x.. youll like the droid maxx even better. same thing with 2x more the battery :)
The Nexus 4 is better? Really? Ha
Any Nexus would be better. I was just supporting Moopuna. Take your pick of recent phones, theyre all better. This and the G are colorful crap, that have features that are no longer exclusive to the model.
Just upgraded from my old Galaxy Nexus to a custom designed Moto X last night. With this great news the wait for delivery is that much more difficult. And to think I was about to leave Verizon for the Nexus 5. I don’t think I’ll be regretting my decision. I suspect that the reason for Verizon’s Moto X getting precedence in regards to the update to kit Kat over the other carriers stems from a way of Google or Verizon (or both) trying to compensate for not releasing the Nexus 5 with Big Red. If this is true, then you’ve done good by me.
Motorola also confirmed KitKat for the HD/HD MAXX and Atrix HD. Today. But no timeframe.
It makes me feel better for sticking with Moto. Although I haven’t even got the OTA update for my N7… I wonder which of my devices will get it first?
Tmobile better hurry up with their update. I guess Verizon users finally have an update before anyone else.
Updating now.
Updating now, San Diego…..PUMPED!
Bricked…
And I still don’t have my update on my STOCK NEXUS 7 WHAT THE HELL GOOGLE DIE AND GO TO HELL!!!!
“DIE AND GO TO HELL” over a phone update? Someone needs psychiatric help…
HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE!!!!!!!!!!! MY 2013 NEXUS F***IN 7 HASN”T EVEN GOTTEN IT YET. ITS A 32GB WIFI MODEL WTF GOOGLE!!!!?!?!??!
Haha! This is just Verizon/Moto giving the middle finger to the Nexus brand!
Wow, just destroyed all reason to ever buy another nexus. My nexus 4 still doesn’t have an update but a Verizon moto x does? Wtf Google.
My X just got it and typing this on Kit Kat. Can’t believe my Verizon phone got it before my nexus tablet!
Does the Kit Kat update change the Moto X’ hotwords from “OK Google Now,” to “OK Google?” I’ve seen conflicting reports on YouTube. One video reviewer said that now you only have to say “OK Google,” just like on the Nexus 5, while another video reviewer said you still have to say “OK Google Now.” Which is it?
I’m not p*ssed that Moto X got it first, I’m just p*ssed that Google’s promise of Nexus users being the first in line for OTA’s has been left in tatters. I’m not saying I’m going to switch OS’s or anything dramatic like that, but I will think twice about buying Nexus again.
Anyone who had the galaxy nexus and now the moto x, does the screen seem smaller. I know both are 4.7 but the screen seems smaller to me.
At this point, they want to update the phone with the most marketing dollars behind it – the Moto X, on the carrier with the most subscribers and highest customer satisfaction – Verizon.
Having owned a VZW Galaxy Nexus, I’m quite surprised to see my Moto X get this update first, but I probably shouldn’t be. Google likely had a lot more involvement in getting 4.4 on the Moto X than most other phones (just a guess).
For those stating their Nexus 4 hasn’t had an update (before the X), it’s likely because it’s an older device with a low number of units sold. Playing to the masses always makes sense from a branding/marketing/satisfaction perspective. Plus, Google is probably still trying really hard to push the Moto X, so this update is likely giving it some “free” marketing that they need to keep the phone in the blogs/tech sites and public eye.
Anyone able to check if this brings along google wallet tap and pay functionality?