What's new in Android KitKat?

Once you've upgraded your phone, you’ll see the following improvements to the Android operating system and other apps on your phone:

• Performance. This release includes accuracy improvements to the power profile and several stability, framework, and security fixes, including an update to OpenSSL. (Android 4.4.4.)
• Printing. Print photos, docs, and web pages to Google Cloud Print, HP ePrint printers, or other printers that have apps in Play Store.
• Improved lock screen. Control music and videos from lock screen. Access the camera by swiping left from the right edge of the lock screen.
• Camera. Enhanced the “touch to focus” option with a new circular, on screen control that can be dragged by your finger around the viewfinder to adjust a photo's focus and exposure.
• NFC Host Card Emulation. Enhanced support for NFC Host Card Emulation (HCE), to improve experiences such as contactless payments, loyalty plans, transit passes, card access and more.
• Gallery app. You can now save your custom filters, use more effects (highlights, edges) for editing your photos, and draw freehand on them.
• Emoji. Now you can insert emoji, the colorful Japanese characters, using the Google Keyboard.

Other improvements include:

• Now you can say “OK Google Now, find my phone” to ring and locate your phone.
• New version of Google Hangouts that supports integrated SMS/MMS messaging. To set Hangouts as the default SMS app go to Settings > More > Default SMS app.
• It's easier to insert pictures and videos in emails and text messages.
• Ability to display captions in videos that support captions. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Captions.
• You can now control what location information your phone shares with location-based services right from the quick settings.
• Support for Square Register credit card reader.