12 features and functions of Android 4.4

Along with the launch of the Nexus 5 in October 2013, the Android 4.4 “KitKat” system was also made official, which came to replace its predecessor Android 4.3 “Jelly Bean”, and brought some interesting news, including improvements in the interface, performance and functionalities.

Below is a list of all the salient features that were incorporated into Android 4.4 (from our point of view). If you want to know in depth each of the things that changed in this version of Android you have the links at the bottom.

The best features that were put in Android 4.4

1. Native screen recording function: The recording is done in MP4 and you can choose the resolution and desired bitrate. By default, the operating system chooses both parameters on its own, based on the screen resolution of the device. It requires a PC and the ADB tool to record.
2. Full screen mode or immersive mode: Disappears the notification bar and even the virtual buttons when desired. Ideal for reading books, playing games or watching videos.
3. Transparent navigation and status bars.
4. Native widget in the lock screen to fast forward and rewind music, without having to open the music app in use.
5. Album art on the lock screen while a song is playing.
6. Faster touch response and faster multitasking: Not much has been technically specified regarding this.
7. Suggest contacts based on their frequency: The phone app could do this every time we want to make a call.
8. The native Android keyboard has Emojis.
9. Support for open and save files to different storage services: Only available for certain applications, QuickOffice, for example.
10. Preview of Wallpapers: Before they are applied, you can see how they will look.
11. Low power consumption during audio playback: Without many specs about it though, it is claimed that with this optimization the Nexus 5 can play up to 60 hours of audio.
12. Optimization of the operating system: It is designed, according to Google, to run quite well on devices with up to 512 MB of RAM

Within this already summarized list of changes in Android KitKat 4.4, I would highlight the possibility of recording the screen without the need for root, although it required a PC and the ADB tool. Recall that in Android 4.3 or lower systems it was normally necessary to use applications with root permissions to record the screen, with the exception of Recordable, which required the help of a PC. It is only from Android 5 onwards that it was possible to record the screen with the multiple apps that exist, without the need for root.

More information: Android Developer, Android.com

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