While we wait for both the Nexus 5 and Android 4.4 to hit the scene, the leaks just keep on coming. Last week we covered log files that appear to be from the Nexus 5 revealing details about the device’s hardware and its build of KitKat. Now, the same log files have been pored over once more to reveal some chocolatey details of Android 4.4 itself. AndroidWorld.it has been over the log files once more and have come up with a handful of interesting details. First of all, and unsurprisingly, the stock apps have all undergone a version jumps. In some cases shooting from 4.1 to 6.0. Take a look at the list below, with the current versions on the left and KitKat’s versions on the right:
- Google Sound Search: 1.1.8 – 1.1.11
- Email : 4.1 – 6.0
- Watch : 2.0.3 – 3.0.0
- Currents : 2.1.1 – 2.1.2
- Cloud Print : 0.6.1b – 0.8.3
- Google Authenticator : 2:49 to 3:55
- Play Books : 2.9.21 (varies by device) – 3.0.1
- Gallery : 1.1.40012 – 1.1.40030
- Hangouts : 1.2.018 – 1.3.012
- QuickOffice : 6.1.180 – 6.2.255
- Play Store : 4.3.11 – 4.4.2
- GMail : 4.6 – 4.6.1
As well as updated apps, it seems that the system apps have been given this prefix: com.google which doesn’t mean much on its own but, this is the same prefix apps like the Google Calendar and GMail received once they were published on the Play Store. Moving on to something a little more interesting there seems to be instances of the word “theme” throughout these log files. While this might not mean that Android 4.4 will include a theme engine out of the box, it could be a sign of things to come in a later version, maybe Android 4.5?
Inside the above pictured “com.google.android.gel” is the mysteriously named “GoogleHome.apk”. There’s a good chance that is simply a cute way of wrapping up Google Now into KitKat but, it could also be a reference to some sort of Google Hub. Bringing all of Google’s services together at a glance. It doesn’t look like we’re going to have too much longer to wait. Let’s hear some of your predictions in your comments below – what do you think Google Home could be?