Google drops Play Services support for Android KitKat 4.4

One of the sweetest Google OS updates, the Android KitKat 4.4, will not be supported by Google Play Services. The message got here from the Android Developers Blog, the place it was revealed API ranges 19 and 20 won’t obtain APK variations past 23.30.99, beginning August 2023. This means units with KitKat won’t get the newest model of the Play Store, which can primarily not permit customers to replace apps, and their units will slowly be rendered unusable.

Android KitKat launched updates which can be nonetheless legitimate at the moment, over ten years after the OS was launched. The system introduced enhancements to gadget efficiency with restricted assets and paved the way in which for what’s now Android GO – a correct OS iteration for low-powered smartphones.

KitKat was the primary Android that allowed customers to select their very own launcher, launched full-screen video playback, UI components received clear for the primary time, and there was lastly native support for IR blaster. We additionally noticed the NFC performance acquire traction, and that is the know-how at the moment that enables us to pay with our smartphones, begin our vehicles, and unlock our houses.

Currently, energetic units with Android KitKat 4.4 are beneath 1% of the overall cellular units, making it a totally comprehensible transfer from Google, though we’re fairly emotional and nostalgic to see the top of one in every of our favourite Android variations.

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