14 DAY TRIAL // Sony Xperia Z1 has already been updated to Android 4.4.2 KitKat in lots of countries, but those living in Australia, especially those who have purchased their smartphones through Optus and Telstra official retail channels have been skipped from the initial rollout.
Beginning this week, however, it appears that both carriers have kicked off the rollout of the long-awaited Android 4.4.2 KitKat update for Xperia Z1.
Optus has confirmed on its support website that Android 4.4.2 KitKat will arrive on Xperia Z1 devices in late March / early April. The Australian carrier approved this version of the operating system back on March 20, but it took about three weeks just to start the rollout to general public.
Telstra also states on its website that Sony Xperia Z1 Android 4.4.2 KitKat update was approved on March 25 and that it is waiting for vendor deployment. The latest update is from April 7 and there are no mentions of KitKat being rolled out to Xperia Z1 owners.
However, AusDroid reports that the update is now available for Telstra Xperia Z1 owners, so Optus customers should start checking their devices as well.
Aside from bringing the phone’s software to the latest version of Android, namely KitKat 4.4.3, the update also adds lots of new features and improvements.
While the improvements made by Google are mostly done “under the hood,” Sony has also introduced its own changes into the upgrade in the form of updates to various applications already present on the Xperia Z1, as well as the addition of new ones.
For example, Sony has confirmed that it has added its own tweaked Status Bar and Quick Settings, so users will be able to benefit from “more intuitive and customizable (and pretty easy on the eye)” controls.
Some animations have been included as well, which will look pretty familiar to those who own a PlayStation 4 console. Livewallpaper across the lock and home screens has been added as well.
Here are some of the applications that will also receive an updated version via Android 4.4.2 KitKat: Messaging, MyXperia, Smart Connect, Small apps, TrackID, TrackID TV, Sony Select, Smart Social Camera and Sony Media apps (WALKMAN, Album and Movies).
Sony’s innovative interface experience Xperia Themes that allows users to download UI packs from Sony Select is included as well.
Keep in mind that this is a staged OTA (over the air) rollout, so not all Xperia Z1 devices might get the update at the same time. Be sure to check for it from time to time.