Top 5 News: Android 4.4.3 and 4.4.2, hardware comparisons and Android Lollipop

This was the week the LG G3 finally graced our palms, and we dropped some phones from great heights to see how long it took them to break (don't worry, videos are coming soon). The Galaxy S5 Active appeared and we started the fun process of comparing the G3 to every other major flagship around right now. In one of our last surveys we asked what current flagship you wanted most, and the Oppo Find 7 came out on top, just pipping the G3! We love an underdog and will keep a close eye on Oppo and OnePlus as things evolve. But now, for the biggest stories this week.

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Android 4.4.3 KitKat Release Still Coming as Google I/O Nears

The Android 4.4.3 KitKat release might remain out of reach but according to a well known insider, that doesn’t mean that the Android 4.4.3 KitKat update has been cancelled.

In late March, HTC insider and ROM developer LlabTooFeR suggested that Google was working on an Android 4.4.3 KitKat update to replace Android 4.4.2 KitKat and fix at least one of the Android 4.4.2 KitKat problems plaguing device owners. In the weeks since then, we’ve seen Android 4.4.3 KitKat rumor after rumor. We’ve even seen Google itself leak Android 4.4.3 KitKat deals. However, we still haven’t seen the Android 4.4.3 KitKat release.

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Beats acquisition to result in first and only Apple apps for Android & Windows Phone

When recent reports suggested Apple was considering bringing iTunes to Android to help boost flagging music sales, skeptics scoffed at the thought of the iPhone maker supporting a competing platform. But with its $3 billion purchase of Beats, Apple has now revealed it plans to keep the Beats Music subscription apps alive not only on Google's Android, but also Microsoft'sWindows Phone.

Speaking at the Code Conference on Wednesday, Apple executive Eddy Cue revealed that Beats Music for both Android and Windows Phone will continue to exist. That's a significant change for Apple, as the company has historically discontinued applications on competing platforms following an acquisition.

"It's on Android now, and we want to keep it that way," Cue said.

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Five Android 4.4 KitKat Smartphones You Can Buy Under Rs. 8,000

      Android 4.4 KitKat was announced in November last year but until recently, smartphones running the latest version of Android have been few and far between.

The entry level segment might not grab headlines, but for most people it represents the segment to which their first smartphone belongs. We pick five smartphones in the sub-Rs. 8,000 segment running the latest Android version, but before that, let's take a look at the improvements in KitKat itself.

Android 4.4 KitKat: What's New?

Android 4.4 KitKat has a number of changes compared to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean including more immersive graphics, as well as deeper integration with Google's intelligent assistant, Google Now.

Android 4.4 allows users' to just say "OK Google" from the home screen to launch the Google Now assistant and do a voice search, send a text, get directions and even play a song. Google has been enhancing Google Now with new card types that bring information about contextual topics that interest users such as updates from favourite websites.

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How does LG's supercharged G3 stack up against the best Android phones?

With LG's official launch of the G3, all major Android manufacturers have now unveiled their flagship smartphones for 2014. HTC has the One M8, and Samsung is of course garnering the most buzz (and sales) with its Galaxy S5. In many ways, it's a battle reminiscent of the one we saw last year when the G2, original One, and Galaxy S4 squared off. Samsung destroyed its rivals in that round — assuming you still believe the company has legitimate foes. But LG is hoping to establish its place in the smartphone race by leaping ahead on hardware specs instead of matching Samsung stride for strideas it did last year. The G3 has a gorgeous, super high-resolution display and a camera that focuses with lasers. Are these factors and others enough to help its cause and give the new flagship a chance? Let's take a look.

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Android 4.4.3 Release Date Imminent: Delayed Android 4.5 Precursor Finally Coming to Nexus?

Android 4.4.3 KitKat update has been long rumored, but is yet to receive even a release date confirmation.

The interim update of the Android OS, which is believed to pave the way toward the much-anticipated Android 4.5 release, was said to roll out on Nexus 5, 7 and 10, followed by HTC One M7 and M8 as well as Samsung devices including Galaxy S5, S4, S3 and Note3 and 4.

The suggested release dates of April and May have come and gone. While May 23 was a likely candidate for the Android 4.4.3 to roll out on Nexus devices, the update had been delayed, according to Android Geeks.

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Android 4.5 Lollipop OS may be a desktop OS-like mobile firmware

The next generation of Android OS dubbed as 4.5 Lollipop will be like a desktop OS packed into a mobile device.

Google is about to unveil the next flavor of Android OS at the company's annual I/O Conference on June 25. Rumors claimed that the upcoming mobile software will have the functions of a desktop OS coming to smartphones and tablets.

Reports claimed that Android 4.5 will redesign its user interface. According to a report of Android Police, the company was currently experimenting with Project Hera, which "essentially represents Google's effort to unify the experience users have in Android, Chrome, and Search all on your Android-powered device."

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