Ask any developer and most likely you’ll hear that the best part of the Android code releases is the extensively detailed changelog that Funky Android releases. The fantastic guys over at Funky Android have once again outdone themselves in the exhaustive changelog, where every AOSP code commit from Android 4.4_r1 to Android 4.4.1_r1 has been detailed.
As always, the changelog is pretty long – with loads of technical and somewhat cryptic details on the code changes between the two Android code releases. Except for Developers who have a deep understanding of all of Androids’ technicalities, the changelog does not impact the end-user directly. If you have the time and will to peruse the commits deeply, you might come across some hitherto unadvertised changes or features of latest of the latest Android iteration – Android 4.4.1 KitKat.
So far, we do know that Android 4.4.1 KitKat was released mostly to rectify issues arising in the camera of the latest Nexus device – the LG made Nexus 5. Though in terms of the snapper, the LG Nexus 5 housed an 8 mega pixels (MP) camera, the picture quality was not one which could compare to the flagships of the other OEMs – viz. the HTC One, the Samsung Galaxy S4 or even the Motorola Moto X. The major issues plaguing the Nexus 5 camera were problems with the white balance, slower focusing especially in low light and a shutter lag, which resulted in blurry and low quality photos.
As detailed by the changelog, the latest update is definitely a bug fix release which aims to fix the Nexus 5 camera by ensure faster focus in low light conditions, faster and more accurate white balancing, ability to pinch-to-zoom on the HDR+ mode and reduced shutter lag. Overall, this would result in sharper and better illuminated photos. The Android 4.4.1 KitKat release also fixes other minor bugs including glitches like the Nexus 5 speaker issues, and occasional issue which turned the notification bar partly opaque. Also the haptic feedback on the Nexus 5 has been fixed and the “Photos” app has now been made the default app when swiping left from the camera.
All in all, the changelog is ready for viewing, the time is right for you to play Sherlock and search for some new clues to upcoming features. Found something, shout it out in the comments below.