The Big Samsung Galaxy Nexus Disappointment, No Official Android 4.4 KitKat Coming But There Are Alternatives

The news that the Samsung Galaxy Nexus would not be getting the Android 4.4 KitKat update was recieved with disappointment among many fans and users of the device. Google said that it would be abandoning support for the Galaxy Nexus after providing it with the standard 18 months’ worth of updates.

Is Google releasing Android 4.4 as a system update for Galaxy Nexus?

No, Galaxy Nexus phones won’t be receiving the update for Android 4.4 (KitKat).

Why isn’t Galaxy Nexus receiving the update to Android 4.4?

Galaxy Nexus, which first launched two years ago, falls outside of the 18-month update window when Google and others traditionally update devices.

This news about the Galaxy Nexus Android 4.4 update might not be suprising to those familiar with Google's traditional Nexus device update policy but it it is disappointing because this is very much a missed opportunity for Google. Google has emphasized the fact that Android 4.4 KitKat could run on devices with specs as low as 512MB RAM. That would open up the possibility for Android 4.4 KitKat to become one of the most widespread Android OS updates by coming to numerous entry-level and older devices. The Samsung Galaxy Nexus with 1GB of RAM does have the capacity to run Android 4.4 KitKat. Google would have been well served by demonstrating these new capabilities that could ostensibly reduce Android fragmentation. 

Despite Google's decesion that doesn't mean the Samsung Galaxy Nexus won't ever get the Android 4.4 KitKat update. Both the Samsung Galaxy Nexus and the Nexus 4 boast a strong and healthy Android developer community. Already for those who own the Verizon Galaxy Nexus who want to go beyond Android 4.3 JellyBean now have a ROM that will allow them to run Android 4.4 KitKat. It would not suprise us if the Sprint Meanwhile the Sprint Galaxy Nexus got Android 4.3 JellyBean last week.