Google's new Android 4.4 KitKat OS is now rolling out to those with the HTC One Google Play edition.
The Verge noted that its HTC One got the update this morning, while those on the XDA-Developers forum reported the same thing.
The 305MB update boosts the device to Android 4.4 KRT 16S, and
includes recent fixes to radio connectivity and encryption bugs. It
doesn't, however, include the Nexus 5's "Google Experience Launcher,"
which adds features like a Google Now option to the home screen, The
Verge said.
Developer versions of smartphones run "stock" Android, or a version
of Google's OS stripped of manufacturer add-ons, like Samsung Touchwiz
or HTC Sense. The HTC One developer edition made its debut in March for
$649, but PCMag's Sascha Segan gave it low marks for only working properly on AT&T.
For those impatient users dying to break off a piece of Android's KitKat, an XDA user captured the OTA download link, and posted it online.
Neither HTC nor Google immediately responded to PCMag's request for comment.
KitKat rolled out on Oct. 31 on the Nexus 5. Shortly thereafter, HTC pledged
to roll out KitKat to the Google Play HTC One, followed by the unlocked
and carrier versions within 90 days. KitKat has also rolled out to Moto X users on Verizon Wireless as well as the Nexus 7 and 10.
Meanwhile, if you're looking for something with a little more bling,
the HTC One Gold (pictured) is now available in Europe for pre-order.
This is not the limited-edition 18-carat HTC One, only five of which were produced for last month's MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Awards in Glasgow.
The much less pricey gold-colored HTC One was leaked in September,
just days after Apple unveiled its new gold iPhone 5s. The 4.7-inch
gold HTC One sports a 1.7GHz quad-core processor and the same software
features as other HTC One models, which also come in silver, black,
blue, and red.
Pricing and delivery dates vary by carrier.
For more, see PCMag's reviews of the HTC One Google Play edition and HTC One, as well as the slideshow above.