Apple introduced some of these features into iOS 7, but Android keeps it simple with just a single pane. There's also a flip-able tile in the notification tray for fast access to settings such as Wi-Fi and Airplane Mode. Google pioneered features like the notification tray, where swiping down from the top reveals alerts and also controls for some app functions like music playback in Play Music. It's not as whizz-bang as iOS 7's parallax effect, but it feels enjoyably futuristic. The biggest aesthetic change is that Google has done away with the ever-present black bar across the top, letting the time and battery level hover above the wallpaper.Ī neat extra: Wallpapers move slightly beneath your apps as you swipe left and right, giving you a sense of depth and movement. The color scheme is traditional gray and light blue, with some colors flipped from the previous version. Apple, on the other hand, makes you guess at the new features. Once you've set up your phone to the appropriate language, Wi-Fi network, and so on, a series of transparent overlays point out useful features including Google Now and the improved notification tray. I've always been impressed with Android's setup process, which walks you through the core features of the OS while you enter your information.
Android users waiting for a response to the bold redesign of Apple's iOS 7 will have to wait, because KitKat is pretty much status quo. But despite being fast and reliable, there's not much new for users to sink their teeth into with KitKat. You can look forward to always listening Google Now, a new dialer that brings the power of search to your phone calls, and tons of tweaks under the hood to make this the slickest version of Android to date. Google Android 4.4 builds on the success of Jelly Bean with KitKat, a powerful mobile operating system that makes up for its lack of candy coating with a solid framework. Not available for the vast majority of Android devices.Few tent-pole features to get excited about.How to Set Up Two-Factor Authentication.How to Record the Screen on Your Windows PC or Mac.How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP3 Files.How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill.How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad.How to Block Robotexts and Spam Messages.