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

by XB on 27th March 2014

in Android, Featured Content, Firmware, Reviews, Xperia Z Ultra, Xperia Z1


« »

Settings

The Settings menu uses the same UI apart from the toggle buttons. These still use the chrome effect switches, but the on/off symbols are replaced with explicit ‘ON’ and ‘OFF’ designations. These new switches are used throughout the settings menu and select Sony apps.

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

Wireless & Networks

The Wireless & networks settings list is in a slightly different order in KitKat versus Jelly Bean.

Wireless & networks_JB Wireless & networks_KK
Left – Android 4.3 Jelly Bean; Right – Android 4.4.2 KitKat

The only additional menu item is the ability to change the default SMS app, allowing you to use Google Hangouts instead of the stock Messaging client.

Wireless & networks_KK_2

Android 4.4.2 KitKat

Xperia Connectivity

The Xperia Connectivity menu has one addition in KitKat, which is One-touch setup.

Xperia connectivity_JB Xperia connectivity_KK
Left – Android 4.3 Jelly Bean; Right – Android 4.4.2 KitKat

One-touch setup

One-touch setup allows two Sony Xperia devices running Android 4.4.2 KitKat and higher to share certain features.

One-touch setup_KK

Android 4.4.2 KitKat

By connecting the devices you can enable certain features such as mirroring your phones display on the tablet, sharing media, sharing the data connection and/or connecting both devices via Bluetooth.

One-touch setup_KK_2 One-touch setup_KK_3
Android 4.4.2 KitKat

Throw

The Throw settings menu in KitKat adds an additional menu item “About Throw”, which explains exactly what ‘Throw’ does.

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

This new Throw setting helps you to wirelessly set up various devices including TV, Speakers and Headphones.

Throw_KK_2 Throw_KK_3
Android 4.4.2 KitKat

The setting highlights the different methods that can be used to connect each device.

Throw_KK_4 Throw_KK_5
Android 4.4.2 KitKat

Throw_KK_6 Throw_KK_7
Android 4.4.2 KitKat

Quick Throw widget

KitKat brings a new Quick Throw widget that will show discovered output devices.

Quick Throw widget_KK

Android 4.4.2 KitKat

USB Connectivity

The USB Connectivity setting contains a new feature called “Pair with PC”.

USB connectivity_JB USB connectivity_KK
Left – Android 4.3 Jelly Bean; Right – Android 4.4.2 KitKat

This feature allows wireless media transfer between Xperia device and PC.

USB connectivity_KK_2

Android 4.4.2 KitKat

Personalisation

The Personalisation setting in KitKat has renamed “Theme” to “Xperia themes”. You will also find new settings relating to managing notifications and status bar icons.

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

KitKat firmware brings with it new Xperia Themes.

Xperia Themes_JB Xperia Themes_KK
Left – Android 4.3 Jelly Bean; Right – Android 4.4.2 KitKat

The setting allows you to select which apps are allowed to send notifications. It also allows you to choose which system icons should be displayed in the status bar.

Personalisation_Notif_KK Personalisation_Notif_KK_2
Android 4.4.2 KitKat

« »

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Previous post:

Next post:

Sitemap