14 DAY TRIAL // Last month, Sony Mobile promised that owners of Xperia Z, Xperia ZL and Xperia ZR smartphones would receive an Android 4.4 KitKat update for their devices sometime the following month.
We have reported numerous times on various firmware versions for these smartphones, which have been certified at PTCRB, but no details on the exact release of the update leaked until a day ago, when Rogers confirmed that the Xperia ZL would receive the Android 4.4 KitKat upgrade on May 21.
Given the fact that Sony Mobile usually rolls out its major updates around the same timeframe, we assumed that the Japanese company might announce the availability of the Android 4.4 KitKat for Xperia Z, Xperia ZL and Xperia ZR sometime this week.
Well, it appears that the handset maker has just confirmed that the rollout of Android 4.4 KitKat update for Xperia Z, Xperia ZL and Xperia ZR has begun.
Aside from bringing the smartphones’ software to Android 4.4 KitKat, the update also contains some new features and improvements specifically added by Sony.
For example, the new user interface looks very much like that of the PlayStation 4, as Sony added some “sleek launch animation and live wallpaper across the lock and home screens.” The Status Bar and Quick Settings have been redesigned with more intuitive and customizable icons.
Various improvements and tweaks have been included in some areas of the smartphones, such as Messaging, Email, Camera and Battery.
According to Sony, some UI adjustments have been made to Messaging, including a slicker “send” animation and deeper Emoji support. Smileys are now accessible from any app with a keyboard.
Email loading is now more responsive and users will be able to see more emails. The Smart Social Camera brings a unique social imaging experience to Xperia Z, Xpeira ZL and Xperia ZR users.
The update also adds the famous Battery Stamina Mode, which allows users to take advantage of the phone’s power management feature.
Sony’s innovative “Xperia Themes” custom interface experience has been included in the update as well, so users can grab downloadable UI packs from Sony Select and personalize their smartphones as they see fit.
Last but not least, Android 4.4 KitKat adds compatibility with SmartWear Experience, SmartBand SWR10 and Lifelog app.
On a side note, Sony has announced that the Xperia T2 Ultra, Xperia E1 and Xperia M2, along with their dual variants, will be the next to receive the Android 4.4 KitKat update starting July.