Verizon customers who own HTC One smartphones can now receive over-the-air Android 4.4.2 KitKat update.
The Android 4.4.2 update comes with Sense 5.5 to enhance the user experience of Verizon HTC One owners. KitKat was officially released just in time for the Halloween last year. The HTC skin, meanwhile, was available with the previous update to Android 4.3 for the HTC One but Verizon users did not receive the update due to pending approval.
The Verizon HTC One Kitkat update was first announced on Twitter by product manager at HTC, Mo Versi.
"HTC One Verizon Owners! We have received technical approval for the OS 4.4 + Sense 5.5 update today. Expect the OTA out shortly. Thanks!" Versi tweeted.
HTC One Verizon Owners! We have received technical approval for the OS 4.4 + Sense 5.5 update today. Expect the OTA out shortly. Thanks!
— Mo (@moversi) February 6, 2014
HTC USA made the official announcement via social media a few hours after. "Good news! #Android KitKat is now available for the @VerizonWireless HTC One. We'll keep you updated on other carrier releases," the company tweeted.
Good news! #Android KitKat is now available for the @VerizonWireless HTC One. We'll keep you updated on other carrier releases. — HTC USA (@HTCUSA) February 6, 2014
The latest iteration of Sense brings into the equation the newsfeed tool Blinkfeed to which users can now add content from Google+ and RSS feeds. Blinkfeed can also be turned off in the new version. The tweaked user interface also introduces changes to the camera that now comes with dual shot capability that simultaneously clicks both cameras of the unit. The Zoe, aside from making short video clips, can create GIFs. The new version of the UI also gives users the option to customize their notification areas with 12 color variants. A Do Not Disturb mode has also been added.
The KitKat pushout was also announced Thursday by Verizon Wireless USA after speculations that it might take a few days.
"Sweet! Android 4.4 KitKat is now being pushed out in stages to the HTC One on Verizon Wireless," the wireless carrier tweeted.
Sweet! Android 4.4 KitKat is now being pushed out in stages to the HTC One on Verizon Wireless.https://t.co/IGZWg3vqbJ pic.twitter.com/TyvygcJgMw
— Verizon Wireless USA (@VerizonWireless) February 6, 2014
Verizon, however, is not the first carrier to bring Android KitKat to its customers. Sprint users became the first group of HTC One owners in the U.S. to receive the KitKat update on Feb. 2.
The Android KitKat was first released to the Nexus 5 and Moto X. The mobile OS, first thought to be called Key Lime Pie, update offers a more immersive user experience. KitKat ensures that it hides all other elements and allow users to focus on what they want to focus on, while using their handsets.
However, despite the promised improvements of KitKat, the Jelly Bean is still the most widely used version of the mobile OS. The different builds of Jelly Bean are installed on 60.7 percent of all Android devices in use. Gingerbread is used by 20 percent while Ice Cream Sandwich has a 16.1 percent share. As of Feb. 7, KitKat is only installed on 1.8 percent of Android devices.
