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By now you know Android 4.4.3 is rolling out to a variety of “stock” Android devices. We already told you about the update hitting Motorola devices (X, G, and E) and have received reports of the update arriving for the both the Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Play edition, and HTC One (M7).
Without wasting any time, HTC is now posting the kernel source for, not only the HTC One (M7), but the HTC One M8 as well. This means the M8 should be joining the party any minute now (along with other GPe devices). You can find links to the source code via the link below.
Update: The Sony Z Ultra Google Play edition is also receiving Android 4.4.3. It’s like Christmas in June!
[HTCDev]
It would be nice if they were that quick with the Sense Kernel sources
I agree. I actually prefer Sense 5.x and above to stock Android, as smooth as it runs.
They can’t possibly be that quick. Only when Google completes their Android revision can HTC (and other OEMs) truly begin integrating it with their customizations. Motorola is able to move so quick only because their customizations are integrated applications. They didn’t modify the framework and other such major changes.
4.4.3 already rolling out to Galaxy S4 GPE as of today.
Looks like the 4.4.3 rollout includes most Nexus, all GPE, and current unlocked Motorola devices. Consider this an early preview of Android Silver.
Early preview of Android Silver? What do you mean?
Google clearly held up a 4.4.3 release for the Nexus 5 in an attempt to test on multiple devices for a near simultaneous launch. Google typically releases updates as they’re ready, even if it means fragmenting the Nexus devices for several weeks. GPE devices have been getting the major updates within 2-3 weeks of the Nexus devices and the ..x updates p to 2 months after the Nexus devices. This was the first clear effort by Google to roll out an update to many devices at the same time.
And I think the Motorola devices are a clear indicator at what Google wants from the Silver platform. Even if you have a carrier-branded version (I have the Verizon Moto G), it comes with minimal carrier bloat and ALL carrier apps can be disabled. Android Silver would make the bloat/update experience more like Windows Phone, but not quite iOS.
So basically, I think yesterday’s OTA rollout shows what we can expect with numerous Silver devices – timely and near-simultaneous software updates. This is clearly Google’s silver bullet for fragmentation.
This is a really good point. I’m excited to see what Google’s going to talk about at I/O. Silver seems like it could be very interesting. I love Android, but I use my phone mostly for games on the bus, and with Apple’s announcement of “Metal”, it looks like they’ll be pretty far ahead on the gaming front. I’m crossing my fingers Google has been cooking up something similar!
Now if they’d stop letting Verizon block the HTCDev unlock codes for the M8
Google has no say on that, not does HTC. Verizon is one of the nation’s top lobbyists, so there’s no way they’ll get smacked down over the way that they control the user experience.
Only way to stop them is to vote with your wallet. As soon as you can afford it, move to another carrier. I know this isn’t an option for everyone due to coverage restrictions, but the vast majority of Verizon users could move to another carrier and not have issues.