14 DAY TRIAL // In an interesting turn of events, Google has unexpectedly posted the Android 4.4. factory images for its host of Nexus devices, including the Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 tablets.
This is a weird move on behalf of Google, especially since it has just completed the rolling out of the highly publicized Android 4.4.3 update.
As GottaBeMobile notes, the images have just popped up on the Google Factory Image page, without the search giant making an official announcement or give any information of what’s included in the release.
The images go by the build number KTU84P and are compatible with the Nexus 7 (2012 and 2013 models, but only Wi-Fi versions) and Nexus 10. So if you’re feeling courageous, you can go ahead and download the new build in order to set it up on your own Nexus device.
The OTA update isn't available at the moment, but will probably arrive at some point, so if you’re too impatient to wait for it, you’ll have to go ahead and download the factory images posted by Google.
As we have mentioned, we currently don’t exactly know what the new Android 4.4.4 update will bring in terms of improvements, but apparently, the build is mostly focused on security.
Factory images such as this come in handy to device owners who have performed hacks or modified their tablets beyond recognition and would now like to “reset” things to the original state, in order in be able to start over.
One of the major advantages of being a Nexus user is that most of the times, your device will be among the first in rank to receive the latest Android build being rolled out, before Google Play branded devices follow suit.
The new Android 4.4.4 update probably follows the pattern of the 4.4.3 update unveiled last month, being a minor one. The new build brought about an improved dialer with new interface and a more extensive pallet of colors.
The update was designed to provide bug fixes and overall improvements to the user experience, but some of those who installed the new build soon complained of certain bugs.
Apparently, the update causes some battery drainage and notification malfunction issues to some Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 tablets.
Granted, not all slates are affected and the bugs don’t seem to perturb the overall flow of activities so often as it reportedly happens for Nexus 4 and Nexus 5 users.
Anyway, in case you’re worried about your tablet malfunctioning, maybe you should hold off for a few days, in order to make sure that the update is completely safe.