Xperia Android 4.4.2 KitKat firmware (14.3.A.0.681) review

Calendar

The Calendar app has been updated in the move to KitKat firmware. You will notice small layout changes, but a big new addition is a five-day weather forecast. Tapping the weather icon takes you to AccuWeather.com where you can view the extended forecast for the day.

Calendar_JB_1_E Calendar_KK_1_E
Left – Android 4.3 Jelly Bean; Right – Android 4.4.2 KitKat

The settings drop down menu is largely the same apart from Calendars, which has now moved to the swipe menu on the left side.

Calendar_JB_2_E Calendar_KK_2_E
Left – Android 4.3 Jelly Bean; Right – Android 4.4.2 KitKat

Tapping the side menu allows you to change the view by year, month, week and day. You can also choose which calendars to show here.

Calendar_JB_3_E Calendar_KK_3_E
Left – Android 4.3 Jelly Bean; Right – Android 4.4.2 KitKat

The calendar widget in KitKat is the same except for a change in icon on the top right.

Left – Android 4.3 Jelly Bean; Right – Android 4.4.2 KitKat

Contacts

Xperia KitKat Contacts is the same as Jelly Bean, however one crucial difference is the inclusion of the ICE (In Case of Emergency) setting.

Contacts_JB Contacts_KK
Left – Android 4.3 Jelly Bean; Right – Android 4.4.2 KitKat

The ICE setting allows you to capture important medical information about yourself as a result of an emergency. You can add any medication you are taking or allergies for example. As well as medical information, you can use the setting to provide emergency contact information in case of an accident.

Contacts_KK_2 Contacts_KK_3
Android 4.4.2 KitKat

The settings are customisable allowing you to display ICE information in the lock screen and even allowing calls directly from the lock screen.

Contacts_KK_4 Contacts_KK_5
Android 4.4.2 KitKat

Dialler

The KitKat dialler is the same as the one found in Jelly Bean, however KitKat introduces the answering machine feature.

Dialler_JB_2 Dialler_KK_2
Left – Android 4.3 Jelly Bean; Right – Android 4.4.2 KitKat

The interface when making calls is the same, however the Jelly Bean setting on the top right (to access the Equaliser and Slow talk) is removed in KitKat. The KitKat dialler also has an extra icon used to switch calls.

Dial_JB Dial_KK
Left – Android 4.3 Jelly Bean; Right – Android 4.4.2 KitKat

Call settings

The only addition in the Call settings menu is the Answering Machine setting.

Call settings_JB Call settings_KK
Left – Android 4.3 Jelly Bean; Right – Android 4.4.2 KitKat

As the screen below highlights, the answering machine is a handset specific function and differs from the one that works with your operator. It can only be used when at least one greeting is recorded. The settings allow you to enable the answering machine after a specific time frame.

Call settings_KK_2 Call settings_KK_3
Android 4.4.2 KitKat