Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One get Android KitKat 4.4 update

Google Play versions move to latest software

Google has confirmed the Play editions of the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One smartphones will receive an update to the latest KitKat version of Android.

Google revealed the news in a post on the Android Google+ page, confirming that the update is available now. The Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One are two of the most popular smartphones this year. The Play editions are different to the regular versions as they run an unskinned version of Android.

The regular S4 and One both use custom Touchwiz and Sense skins. Google said the skinned versions of the HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4 will also receive an update to KitKat at a later date.

The news will be a positive for Google Play edition users as KitKat offers several significant new features to the OS. These include an updated dialler app, which lets users search for numbers outside their contact list without opening the phone's web browser, and an updated version of Google Now.

Google Now is a push update service debuted on Android Jelly Bean. It uses information stored on the user's Google account and location data to push relevant updates to them.

These include local weather reports, public transport updates and upcoming calendar events. The service was originally activated by swiping up from the home button. The updated version on KitKat is accessed by swiping left from the home screen.

For a more in-depth look at the HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4 check out V3's full written reviews.