Google has finally unveiled its new smartphone, the Google Nexus 5 and a new mobile operating system Android 4.4, which is nicknamed “KitKat.” Details about the new Nexus 5 were heavily leaked, so there aren’t any surprises now that it has been released.
The Nexus 5 features a larger and higher resolution screen than its predecessor, a faster processor and now features LTE. However, the major update to the phone is the software, which is the new Android KitKat OS.
According to engadget.com:
“‘OK Google.’ Those Touchless Controls aren’t just for the Moto X anymore — they’re now part and parcel of the Nexus 5. With today’s unveiling of Google’s (terribly leaked) Nexus 5, we’re getting a first look at Android 4.4 KitKat on the handset, and that OS update comes with some significant tweaks to Search and Now. For starters, Nexus 5 users will have the ability to set hot keywords as a means of activating or “waking up” Now voice search. So, presumably, this means you’ll be able to link any word you’d like to start barking voice commands at Now.
“But that’s just the tip of the improvements Google’s made to its Now and Search product. Overall, speech recognition is said to have been made it 25 percent more accurate and manual access to Now can be triggered by a swipe to the left (Nexus 5-only, for now) — no longer a swipe from the bottom of the screen up. Now has also been outfitted with a wider array of ‘contextual cards.’ It’s yet another step in making Google’s digital assistant even more prescient, as it will now display information based on a user’s current activity, like Fandango for ticket listings if you’re at a theatre, or even updates on a favorite TV show you’ve searched for previously.”
The Nexus 5 went on sale yesterday with a starting price of just $349 for an unlocked 16GB. As a result of the great price the device is already sold out with shipping times backed up to 2-3 weeks. Android 4.4 is currently only on the the Nexus 5, but Google says it will be coming to their other devices soon.
Check out the video below for a look at the Nexus 5 and Android 4.4
