Sony starts rolling out Android 4.4 KitKat for the Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia ZR and Xperia Tablet Z

By Abhinav Pathak on May 21, 2014 01:25 PM

Right on Schedule, Sony has started rolling out Android 4.4 KitKat update for the Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia ZR and Xperia Tablet Z. All these devices got Android 4.3 Jelly Bean back in December.

Sony had previously started rolling out Android 4.4 KitKat for the Xperia Z1, Xperia Z Ultra and the Xperia Z1 Compact back in March. The KitKat update brings several features, new Android core and as well as updated apps. Here are all the changes that you would find with the KitKat update.

Google’s Android 4.4; KitKat as standard – bringing improved performance & user interface (UI) optimisation…
If you’ve got a Sony PlayStation 4, you might recognize our new user interface – we’ve added the same sleek launch animation and live wallpaper across the lock and home screens. You’ll also spot a revamped Status Bar and Quick Settings… now more intuitive and customisable (also with a fresh new look)… cleaned up to ensure you only get the notifications you really need
As you might expect, we’re also uplifting Sony’s entire native app portfolio to the latest versions bringing tweaked / improved / current experiences for one and all… some of our favourites look like:
Messaging – a few UI adjustments here & there, including a slicker “send” animation, and deeper Emoji support for some expressive fun… also worth noting, you’ll find smileys wherever there’s an app with a keyboard :) :)
Email – you’ll be able to both load and see more mails… but don’t fret, navigation of said load is easier with a more responsive viewing pane – split screen modes divide info for easy digest… especially useful / works a treat on Xperia Tablet Z
Smart Social Camera – our social imaging experience makes its debut on our first Z Series devices; a selection of Xperia Camera apps directly accessible from your viewfinder… including personal favourite “Creative Effect”, and more for download to boot!
Battery STAMINA Mode - level-upping our unique power management feature, bringing smarter data management & more for prolonging your juice
Sony’s Media apps: WALKMAN, Album and Movies, with Sony Entertainment Network cloud service integration* – a more converged and full Sony entertainment experience – Sony Entertainment Network & PlayMemories integration with a more intuitive UI, better download speeds, and more…
And proving pretty popular, now totaling over 2 million downloads (!) – our unique custom interface experience: “Xperia Themes”, with downloadable UI packs from Sony Select – skin up to 280 assets across your Xperia smartphone with a variety of styles…
Compatibility with our SmartWear Experience; SmartBand SWR10 and Lifelog app – enabling you to record social, physical and entertainment activities and have them all visualised in a beautiful interface… reminisce at that past, make the best of the present and plan for the future

Next up on Sony's list are the Xperia T2 Ultra, Xperia E1 and the Xperia M2 as well as their dual-SIM counterparts which will get the update in July.