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Verizon kit kat update?? Anyone heard an ETA?
- Thread starter K-West
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- samsung galaxy s4
Lets be thankful they arent rushing it out. From what I have been reading it is loaded with issues.
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They are using it as a marketing ploy to sell more s5, BC it comes out of the box with KitKat. Verizon sucks when it comes to updates. They are always dead last, so they can add more bloatware.
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That's a very sweeping statement MYKEL61! Considering that there have been over 100 KitKat firmware releases for the International, worldwide, models, there have been very few problems posted by those users on here. Certainly a lot less than the 4.3, Jelly Bean, release and nothing more than I would expect from any update.
Much as I hate to admit it... you might be right Nightshade37. I have been on KitKat for 4 months now and the global roll-out is coming to an end and we are looking forward to Android 4.4.3. I believe that apart from Verizon, Cricket, C-Spire and MetroPCS have yet to update users to KitKat. Sprint released in February, followed by US Cellular, T-Mobile and AT&T, IIRC.
So, either Verizon are having major problems with their modified, carrier branded, version of KitKat which is preventing them releasing it directly, not via Samsung, or it is a marketing ploy.
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I have KitKat installed on my S4 from AT&T and have had no problems. All the glitches I had from Jellybean 4.3 were fixed with KitKat. I guess Verizon doesn't care to get the update out to their customers.
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Here's a leak that was posted to XDA today. There's no report yet of anyone installing it. You have to install it using Odin.
Verizon 4.4.2 KitKat Leak - xda-developers
Verizon 4.4.2 KitKat Leak - xda-developers
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Nice post SirEagle!
Just downloaded the file, ALL_VZW_I545VRUFNC2_I545VZWFNC2_989434_REV06_user_low_noship_MULTI_CERT.tar, mentioned on the xda developers thread, here.
It is a 1.44GB .zip file that took about 20 min's to download to my PC. I then extracted the .tar file as follows...
"Download the .zip file to your desktop and unzip it. To extract the file, just right click on it and select 7-Zip/WinRAR/Winzip and, "Extract here". This extracted .tar file is the one you will need. This is the .tar file that contains the Verizon KitKat firmware."
This Verizon KitKat .tar file can then be flashed by using Odin 3.07 or 3.09, as described in #1.5 of 23 Galaxy S4 models - know yours?
Reports on the xda developers site are showing that because it is a leaked Verizon firmware, NC2, (2nd build of March), it does not affect the Knox warranty counter. If you are rooted, it will un-root you. This is for competent users only.
If you have any queries, visit the xda thread as I do not own the Verizon, SCH-i545, model of the Galaxy S4.
I suppose the obvious question is... "When will Verizon release the KitKat firmware?". If this were a firmware release from Samsung, who have a regular habit of leaking test firmware, I would say that they would update NC2 to the latest NC9 build and since there appear to be no problems, would release in 2 to 3 weeks after getting feedback. However, Verizon seem to have their own agenda.
ironass motto... "Flash in haste... repent at leisure"
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I was in Verizon yesterday and ask an associate about the release. He got on their computers and told me no date has been made official and the reason was after the update, the s4 was no longer charging. Not saying I believe that, as it sounds kinda crazy since many other carries have successfully launched, but just what I was told.
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--snippage--
ironass motto... "Flash in haste... repent at leisure"
LOL. I've been down that road many many times! Famous last words "ah, what the hell, what could possibly go wrong......"
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Post #7, 16th April, above...
Only a mere 11 weeks after the Sprint KitKat rollout!
As the Samsung Galaxy S5 is being launched by Verizon from this Easter Sunday, 20th April. I would say that Nightshade37's comments in post #3, are spot on and the delay in releasing KitKat for its Galaxy S4 customers is nothing more than a cynical marketing ploy..
On the plus side, given the length of time Verizon have had... this firmware release should be perfect.
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I disagree with the above. VZW is known for its slow updates, so this is not out of character for them.
People also seem to be overemphasizing the desire for the newest version of Android. This was a huge issue when were in the 2.x because each increment was profound. And I am certain the skeezy tactic of withholding updates was used by carriers after 4.0 came out.
But people worried about 4.4 > 4.3? Nah. None of my S4 using friends care or know they don't have the newest version. For me, this is the first time I haven't rooted a phone to get the version I wanted.
People also seem to be overemphasizing the desire for the newest version of Android. This was a huge issue when were in the 2.x because each increment was profound. And I am certain the skeezy tactic of withholding updates was used by carriers after 4.0 came out.
But people worried about 4.4 > 4.3? Nah. None of my S4 using friends care or know they don't have the newest version. For me, this is the first time I haven't rooted a phone to get the version I wanted.
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Verizon has stated in the past that long delays are due to extensive testing. Samsung (or any other vendor) releases the updated firmware to Verizon. Verizon tests the firmware, finds issues and sends it back to Samsung. Wash, rinse, repeat. Verizon has said that this process happens so that they can minimize support calls after release.
I have to imagine that this process happens based on phone popularity, but I also think that Nightshade37 is right (Post #3) in that this was a strategic delay to prioritize the s5 release over all other updates.
Hopefully this is a near perfect release, but software is not perfect and there will always be issues. One thing that has me curious is that the article that SirEagle mentions (Post #10) nothing about Photo Sphere and Lens Blur. Samsung saidthat these features would be available in the next version of firmware upgrade, but it could be MIA again...
I have to imagine that this process happens based on phone popularity, but I also think that Nightshade37 is right (Post #3) in that this was a strategic delay to prioritize the s5 release over all other updates.
Hopefully this is a near perfect release, but software is not perfect and there will always be issues. One thing that has me curious is that the article that SirEagle mentions (Post #10) nothing about Photo Sphere and Lens Blur. Samsung saidthat these features would be available in the next version of firmware upgrade, but it could be MIA again...
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Correct. Samsung furnish updated versions of their firmware to all carriers on a regular basis.
Unlike all carriers worldwide, with the only other exception being AT&T, Verizon choose not to use Samsung to release their own version of firmware but instead, release it themselves.
Didn't really work out too well with Verizon's initial release of Android 4.3, Jelly Bean, that they were forced to withdraw, along with AT&T, and then re-issue.
Considering that Sprint has been out for around 3 months already, I agree that Nightshade37 is probably correct.
These features are available on Google Camera available free from the Play Store.
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What Android version did you receive?
Also, any major issues since your updates?
Edit: I just checked and I too have an update available. I have not downloaded or installed it yet so cannot confirm it is 4.4.2. Also, there is no information on verizonwireless website about it (last update page still shows MK2. I'll post later this evening after I install the update.
Edit 2: http://www.androidcentral.com/android-442-kitkat-rolling-out-now-verizon-samsung-galaxy-s4 Looks like a different website is reporting that it is in fact 4.4.2 for Verizon GS4. (Whatever happened to the TIP button on this forum for Phandroid????)
Kratos
Also, any major issues since your updates?
Edit: I just checked and I too have an update available. I have not downloaded or installed it yet so cannot confirm it is 4.4.2. Also, there is no information on verizonwireless website about it (last update page still shows MK2. I'll post later this evening after I install the update.
Edit 2: http://www.androidcentral.com/android-442-kitkat-rolling-out-now-verizon-samsung-galaxy-s4 Looks like a different website is reporting that it is in fact 4.4.2 for Verizon GS4. (Whatever happened to the TIP button on this forum for Phandroid????)
Kratos
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Downloading over WiFi, but it is super slow. If the phone explodes or grows another arm, I'll let everybody know.
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OK, I installed the update and when I tried to access the app drawer, the phone rebooted. Hopefully that was the only bad thing that will happen. One very positive thing I'm seeing is that you can disable many (but not all) of the Samsung bloatware, including S-voice. It would be nice if you could uninstall, but disable is a good step.
BTW, if you do disable, be sure to uninstall the updates before you do. It will save you some space on your phone.
Still digging for other changes...
BTW, if you do disable, be sure to uninstall the updates before you do. It will save you some space on your phone.
Still digging for other changes...
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Up and running!! Seems to be very smooth. Thus far no issues. It seems as though I have burned a bit more batter than I would have thought, but I haven't really put it down since the install and a couple of app updates rolled in after the system update so I'm not going to freak yet. I am already postured for an FDR if needed (it was last update), but I'm gonna try an hold off a few days to see how things go.
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I am still on 4.3 and have the option to disable any and every system app. Granted, doing this for any of the core apps (framework, phone, etc) would render the phone unusable, I still have the option showing. I have already disabled most of the junk that Samsung and Verizon put on my phone.
It doesn't free up any space, but it does keep them out of my app drawer and play updates.
What, if any, apps are not working any longer? I have read a lot of people commenting (from GS4's on other carriers that have already updated) that some of their apps that were already on the SD Card are no longer working properly. Mostly stating they have been uninstalled, which would likely be due to the apps not being compatible with 4.4.
Kratos
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Anyone know if Verizon incorporated the camera fix in the update before they started pushing it to us?
Kratos
Kratos
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Well, I found one app that isn't working. It is a Bible app, but it is a fairly heavy hitter in terms of capabilities. I'll try uninstalling and reinstalling later. Everything else seems to be working.
@Kratos,
IDK what the specific camera fixes are, but I can say that the camera focuses much better than it did. It seems to lock on and hold a focal point much quicker also. Didn't even bother to take a picture, but the focus difference was very noticeable.
@Kratos,
IDK what the specific camera fixes are, but I can say that the camera focuses much better than it did. It seems to lock on and hold a focal point much quicker also. Didn't even bother to take a picture, but the focus difference was very noticeable.
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I sure hope it isn't Olive Tree. I have come to rely heavily on that app.
There was a memory leak or something like that in the 4.4 camera that was causing massive battery drain issues. The fix was rolled out to the other GS4 models last month and I am hoping Verizon was smart enough to hold off for the fix until releasing this to us....
Kratos
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