Normally with Android updates for a specific phone model we’re used to a standard release schedule. In the case of a South Korean company like LG or Samsung for instance we’d expect the update to roll out to South Korea first, followed by Europe and just about everywhere in the world until it hits US carriers dead last, normally months later. This time around though the LG G2 went backwards from the usual schedule, and although it still made it out in South Korea first back in December, it was only a few weeks later that the US AT&T LG G2 got its Android 4.4.2 KitKat update, and now it looks like the international G2 will finally be receiving its KitKat update as well. There’s no telling what took LG so long to roll this out to its OTA (over the air) update servers, but it’s finally here, and if you haven’t received the notification yet head on over to settings, scroll down to about phone and check for software updates. If you’re running the tabbed settings menu it’s in the last tab on the right, all the way at the bottom of the page. If the phone tells you that the update isn’t available yet don’t worry, it’s just now starting its rollout and these things sometimes can take a few days to get out to everyone.
What’s so great about the Android 4.4.2 KitKat update? Well for one you won’t have to worry about that nasty SD card policy change since the G2 doesn’t have an SD card slot, so if that scared you at all there’s no need to worry with that phone. What you’re going to get is an enhanced user interface that gets rid of those pretty ugly LG cyan blues and replaces them with a nice suave KitKat grey, as it not only makes the interface look better but improves visibility when using transparent notification bars as KitKat does by default. You’ll also notice a new full-screen mode that takes away both the top notification bar and the bottom navigation bar, so full-screen apps are truly full-screen in KitKat. When you want them back just swipe from the edge of the screen and they slide in like normal, which will enable you to use that 5.2-inch screen to its full advantage. LG also touts better battery life with the KitKat update, as well as a processing speed boost thanks to some back-end changes made in KitKat. LG is citing a 17% faster processing speed change over the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean build that the phone shipped with. You’ll get Google Cloud Print built in to the OS now as well, giving you the option to print where it wasn’t available before, and LG’s patented “Knock On” feature to turn the device on and off without having to press any buttons has been enhanced in the KitKat update, with LG citing better responsiveness when compared to the original firmware. This is a fantastic update for LG G2 owners and it should be making its way to you momentarily. Oh and don’t forget about those camera mods that are now possible on the KitKat build, including 4K video recording.