Android 4.4 KitKat Factory Images and Binaries updated to KRT16S – OTA has begun

Soon after the release of KRT16O Factory Images and Binaries, Google has updated them with the KRT16S Factory Images and Binaries. Also, the OTA for Nexus 4 has begun and if you haven’t received an OTA update yet, you will probably be updating straight to KRT16S (happened to a friend of mine).

AndroidPolice has gone over the differences between KRT16O vs KRT16S and found that most of them were quite minor changes except the bug fix to full disk encryption and also an update to the kernel’s WLAN driver. Even if you don’t use full disk encryption, you should still flash over to KRT16S or allow the OTA update to install when it comes to you.

Should you need a guide on how to flash your Nexus back to stock from whatever ROM, you can let me know in the comments and I’ll help you out.

Android 4.4 KitKat Factory Images and Binaries released – OTA coming soon

Almost 2 weeks after Google launched Nexus 5 with Android 4.4 KitKat, older generation Nexus devices have started receiving their OTAs. However, for those who were on custom ROMs (like my Nexus 4), you will need to use the factory images to flash back to stock KitKat 4.4 or continue using whichever custom ROMs that suit your needs. Google has finally published the stock factory images and I’ve just completed flashing my Nexus 4 back to stock (rooted) and set it up with the Google Experience Launcher.

The process to flash stock factory images onto Nexus devices isn’t that hard. It takes a little time and you probably will lose your applications (and their data), but you can choose to retain all your photos and files in your Nexus 4’s internal memory, if you wish. AndroidPolice has a detailed post about how to perform the process so you should probably head over there to read up on it if you are unfamiliar. Also, do keep in mind that Nexus 4’s KitKat upgrade does not come with the Google Experience Launcher (GEL) APK. Therefore, you will be unable to use the GEL launcher although most of the code is already present in the Google Search APK. To enable it is as simple as downloading the GEL APK from AndroidPolice and installing it onto your phone.

Having issues? You can contact me via Facebook/Hangouts or via the comments section below.

Enjoy your new KitKat!

Links:
AndroidPolice – KitKat
AndroidPolice – GEL

Android KitKat begins rollout

AndroidPolice has just reported that the Android team tweeted the starting of Android 4.4 KitKat updates to older Nexus devices. Specifically, Nexus 7 (2012 and 2013 editions) and the Nexus 10 will begin receiving the update from today. However, Android devices with mobile data, meaning the Nexus 4, Nexus 7 3G and Nexus 7 2013 Edition with LTE will have to wait just a little longer.

Do keep in mind that this is begin receiving update. This does not mean that your device will receive its update immediately. For those of you who are impatient, there already have been several ROMs built from AOSP source or ported from the Nexus 5 available for some devices like the Galaxy Nexus, the Nexus 4 and Nexus 7 among a few others.

I’ve tested Paranoid Android’s AOSP KitKat release and I’m currently testing out Stockified KitKat which seems to be running quite nicely. I’ve been switching ROMs quite frequently on my Nexus 4 until my gf recently asked me about it. Having said that, I have an early OmniROM‘s 4.4 ROM sitting in my phone, waiting to be flashed. Should I do it?

AP Nexus 5 Price Update

As mentioned in my previous blog post, the AP LG Nexus 5 16GB price of RM1999 is quite high. However, in a very short time, the price has now dropped to RM1699 from DirectD.

This is still quite high for the Android KitKat running LG Nexus 5 16GB version as Lowyat.Net sellers have been seen selling the 16GB version for around RM1400-RM1500. See my earlier blog post for more links.

Also, based on comments in SoyaCincau.com, I found that TechBug.my is selling the Nexus 5 International version starting from RM1599 for 16GB and RM1799 for 32GB or you can opt for the slightly cheaper Nexus 5 US version starting from RM1499 for 16GB and RM1699 for 32GB.

Have you bought yours yet?

AP Nexus 5 arrives

Update: Sellers in forum.lowyat.net are selling Nexus 5 16GB for around RM1400-RM1600 depending on seller/version and Nexus 5 32GB can be found from RM1600-RM1750. However, keep in mind that sellers from forum.lowyat.net typically does not provide warranty but may assist you in claiming for warranty but all costs would be borne by the buyer. Still, if nothing happens to your phone, these prices are far more attractive compared to those found in lelong.com.my. Added link to forum.lowyat.net below.

In less than a week after the Nexus 5 launch by Google, mobile phone dealers in Malaysia has already started bringing in the Android 4.4 KitKat powered device for sale. Malaysia typically doesn’t get Nexus devices that quickly since Google does not sell it via the PlayStore in Malaysia. Therefore, these dealers are selling it with a local/shop warranty (usually 2 years). However, the prices are currently a little high. The only sets available so far are 16GB versions in either black or white and priced very unattractively at RM1999 (not inclusive of shipping). The same price can be found from 3 lelong.com.my retailers, namely DirectD, Paul1978 and SatuGadgetDotCom.