Moto X starts receiving Android 4.4 KitKat update in phased roll-out

Motorola on Tuesday announced that the Moto X smartphone has started receiving the Android 4.4 KitKat update.
Motorola's SVP Software Engineering, Steve Horowitz in a blog post confirmed the news and stated that the update is hitting the Verizon Wireless first. Further, Horowitz revealed that the Android 4.4 update for Motorola Moto X would be rolled out starting today, however notes that the update is being rolled out in phases. The blog post also did not reveal the details of Android 4.4 update for other carriers and countries.

Motorola has also revealed the changes that will come with the Moto X's Android 4.4 KitKat update, which include an improved phone dialler, which can help users search for contacts directly from the dial-pad; some new gallery effects such as Posterize, Highlights, and Edges; a new unified Hangouts messaging app and option for setting third-party messaging app as default; colour Emoji on the revamped Google Keyboard; drag to focus and expose in the updated camera app; restyled status and navigation bars, a new fullscreen mode, and enhancements to Motorola features like Touchless Control.

Not too long ago, Motorola's CEO, Dennis Woodside revealed plans for Moto X smartphone's Android 4.4 KitKat update, and said it will be rolling out it 'in a matter of weeks.'

Interestingly, Google is yet to release the Android 4.4 KitKat update for the Nexus 4 smartphone, saying it will be released soon. For many Android fans, Google's Nexus series of devices represent the purest form of the OS, with no manufacturer skins and guaranteed firmware updates straight from Google without any delays or intermediaries. However, it seems the paradigm has changed, with Motorola rolling the Android 4.4 KitKat update for the Moto X ahead of the Nexus 4 smartphone.

Google recently announced Android 4.4 KitKat update for the Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 Wi-Fi tablets. However, the latest incremental Kitkat update was limited to only the Wi-Fi models of Nexus 7 (2012 and 2013) and Nexus 10 (2012) tablets. As per Google, both the 3G models of the Nexus 7 would have to wait a little more for the update.