'Google's Android KitKat targets cheaper smartphones'

Android 4.4 KitKat is catered towards wearable devices and cheaper phones, a source says

 Android 4.4 KitKat could be Google's latest attempt to make Android devices cheaper, according to leaked documents.

Google wants its new software to work well on low-end phones in addition to the more expensive Samsung Galaxy and HTC devices, according to blogger Amir Efrati who said he has seen confidential Google documents.

Efrati said the key improvement will be better memory management to allow "entry-level devices" to run with just 512MB of RAM.

Currently less than half of Android devices are running the latest version of the operating system which creates problems for app developers who rely on users having updated features.

The company also reportedly wants to improve the operating software to make it suitable for wearable computing.

The new version could include support for three new sensors: geomagnetic rotation vector, step detection and step counters, which could be Android's way of answering Apple's inclusion of a dedicated motion processor in its latest iPhone.

Efrati added that the update could also include power saving options with both sensor and WiFi batching to help improve battery life.

He also claimed the KitKat will include native support for a smartphone to become an infrared remote control, and to emulate payment cards that use near-field communication.

He said: "Google wants your Android device to be a remote control. The next version of Android lets developers build apps that control TVs, tuners, switches and other devices by sending infrared signals."

Source : The Telegrapgh