Moto G Phone Guide

Moto G KitKat update: top 5 new features you may enjoy

by 117 Comments

moto g KitKat updateFollowing the Moto G KitKat update this month, you can enjoy the Android KitKat 4.4.2 in Moto G now! Motorola did a nice job in updating their handsets in 2013.   Moto G is only second to Nexus to receive this KitKat update.

A lot of reviewers regarded Moto G as an affordable middle or low range smartphone. They may be correct as long as hardware specification is the criterion.

In the reality, software is equally important for a smartphone.

The Moto G KitKat update  indicates that Motorola treats all customers as VIPs. Moto G,  just like its bigger brother Moto X,  is also a top-notch smartphone in Motorola’s perspective.

At the end of the day, users enjoys the experience, rather than clock speed. Most of Moto G owners are very satisfied with Moto G, not only for its affordability, but also the excellent (and surprising) user experience it delivers.

Moto G  Kitkat update just improve the user experiences again. Some new features are added.

In this post. I will share with you the top 5 new features of Moto G KitKat update.

1. Faster Moto G

Although the hardware specs are not impressive, Moto G is surprisingly fast. Some users even compared this $179 smartphone with Galaxy S4, which is 3 times more expensive in most regions. They found out there is marginal difference in responsiveness between these two for most apps (not the heavy games). Of course, the slowness in Galaxy S4 could be partially due to the packed features

in TouchWiz. Moto G is leaner and lighter.

One of the main improvements of KitKat 4.4 is to better the usage of resources. It simply means updating to 4.4 does not demand better hardware. If the handset can run Jelly Bean 4.3 smoothly, it should run KitKat even better.

Moto G’s KitKat update proves this. After the KitKat 4.2.2 update, you will simply feel  your Moto G is even more buttery.

Some former Samsung users may be scared of updating. For example, the recent Jelly Bean 4.3 update for Galaxy S4 make some users unhappy for various reasons. I even listed the top 5 problems after Android 4.3 update for Galaxy S4.

So, my suggestion to these former Samsung smartphone users is to get the update. You will not be disappointed. You will enjoy all of the  new features of Moto G KitKat update.

2.  Simplified and unified  messaging system

If you updated your Hangouts app in last two months, you probably noticed that you can use Hangouts for your messaging (both SMS and MMS) in Moto G, and other handsets with Jelly Bean already. Mot G KitKat update simply makes the integration better.

The  Hangouts app in KitKat can (optionally) combine your messages (SMS, MMS) with all other conversations in Hangouts. With the new Hangouts app, all of your SMS and MMS messages are alongside with your other conversations and video calls. If you are a Hangouts users, you will very likely enjoy the unified messaging system  in  your Moto G.

Comparing with other third-party messing services, the new Hangouts app in KitKat also allows you to share your location and send animated GIFs. This makes it even better than the most popular SMS app: WhatsApp.

If you are not a Hangouts user,  you can still use the old messaging app. When you are ready, you can set Hangouts are the default SMS/MMS app at any time through: set as the default SMS app under Settings — Wireless — Default SMS app.

3. Colorful Emoji for Moto G KitKat update

Emoji can be considered as just smileys. But it is very popular in today’s communications, especially among Gen–Y.

Some third-party keyboards already have some sorts of  support for emoji. But it is not easy to use for most users. Also, the SMS app and Hangouts do not fully support emoji before KitKat 4.4, especially the colorful emoji.

Emoji everywhere  is tagged with Android 4.4 KitKat: Google  integrates a set of awesome emoji with Google Keyboard for easier access. And it natively supported in KitKat.

For all Moto G owners,  now colorful emoji can be easily applied in text messages, emails, and other communications in Hangouts after this Moto G KitKat update.

4. Smarter dialer

The new dialer in Android 4.4 is a bit smarter now.  Your Moto G can look up contacts directly from the dial pad, see and tap frequent contacts, and search your corporate directory easily.

The phone app also automatically prioritizes your contacts based on the people you talk to the most. So, the Moto G KitKat update makes your phone even smarter.

5. New full-screen mode

In Moto G KitKat update, the new full-screen mode in Moto G means a really-full screen. The notification bar and the softkeys will hide itself automatically.

So, you can enjoy the contents in the whole screen.

When you need the notification bar or the softkeys (navigation buttons), just swipe from the edge (usually the top).

Other new features you may enjoy after Moto G KitKat update

Of course, there are a few other new features you may also  enjoy following the KitKat update. These incldue:

  • updated Gallery app:  new photo editing options  including new filter effects, draw on your photos, advanced cropping, and adjustments to color, exposure, contrast and more, are added
  • improved closed captioning support: of course, this also depends on individual video.
  • more printing options:  support for printing photos, Google Docs, GMail messages, and other content via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and hosted services like Google Cloud Print and HP ePrinters, is added
  • restyled status and navigation bars: now it is really transparent and works better with your wallpapers.

 Which do you like about these new features  in Moto G KitKat update? Let us know in the comment box below.

Comments

  2. moto g 2nd generation app button and app screen color change trasperent to white and i check the setting but i was unable to find anything so reset the phone and after that issue resolve so any other setting are there for that

    Reply

  4. I am not able to edit my photos from the photos option in the phone. It says ‘downloading resources. Some editing tools unavailable’
    And my moto g phone is fully updated. Can anyone help?

    Reply

  5. Hello Simon

    I am unable to Send SMS in my MOTO G phone, i tried all resolutions like factory reset, settings in Messaging and lot many but still i am unable to send SMS which is really annoying me. Please help me with if you have any new solution for this as i called the provider they said to updated the message center number which is invisible in this phone. Kindly help me………………….

    Reply

  7. moto g is best. but in message attach there is no contects .so we cannot send any party contects or address by sms..reply me how is possible

    Reply

  8. When I add a new contact having WhatsApp account the contacts does not show WhatsApp symbol. Tried saving the contact with 91 and also uninstalled WhatsApp and tried.kindly help me with a solution.Thanks

    Reply

  12. One thing I have noticed on the moto G in de people app is that there is not options in the contact settings to make contacts who do not have a phone number (but perhaps only an e-mail address) invisible. This is very inconvenient as it is impossible to see in your list if a contact comes with a phone number unless you open it. Major clutter.

    Is there someway to display contacts that have a phone number ONLY.

    Reply

  13. Does MOTO G with Kitkat 4.4.2 have the mirroring feature to replicate the screen image on a Samsung Smart TV?

    Reply

  15. I can’t update or download anything from playstore and net is also working slow. Tried factory reset,clearing cache still no effect
    Please help …is there a problem in the model ???? What should I do

    Reply

  16. how to send group sms after creating a group. and while forwarding sms i am able to see only 2 lines of the entire message again i have to roll it down. is there any way to see full message at once.

    Reply

  23. is there necessary to update moto g to kitkat vrsion if i do can i go back to jeallybean
    if i dont upgrde is there any problm , is oll apps will wrk nd later on if i wish to upgrade to kitkat can it be possible plzzzz help meee plz

    Reply

  28. how to reject /cut an incoming call in my moto g indian version. i cannot find the cut icon nor the power button works to cut a incoming call

    Reply

  29. How to save any image on motto g?? As with my old fone, I have to just press it and it displays the option of download..and not even giving option of copy paste onblong press..need assistance

    Reply

  30. sir play store apps are not working (new ones not getting downloaded and older ones not getting updated) could u please provide me solution for my problem on moto g indian version phone

    Reply

  31. please let me how to send contact directly to another mobile from moto g ? from my earlier phone i can do the same easily.

    Reply

  32. I’m not able to take screenshot on my Moto G 16 GB Retail (India) Version with Factory built Kitkat v4.4.2. Tried to capture the screen as told on Motorola Official site as well as on various forums and tech-blogs. The method of simultaneously pressing the power and volume down buttons does not work. I’ve noticed that in all the instructions, the writers assume the OS version to be Android JB 4.3. Could it be that screen capturing functionality worked on Moto G up to JB 4.3 and KitKat 4.4.2 update broke it?

    Reply

  33. Soo I am updating my new moto g phone over wifi only and well it turned off after I pressed “install” and a message said it would take ten minutes but it has been about an hour.. I tried turning it on and the moto g logo came on but the screen is still frozen black, although I can tell the back light is on! Is this usual? how long will it take before I can use my phone?

    Reply

  37. Sometimes when a call is in progress, no response from speaker and mic. I mean time is running in the call. But both caller and rrciever could not hear their voices each other. I rebooted my mobile. The problem got recovered. What could be the problem?

    Reply

  38. Its not giving me any option now.its jus saying software update—> enable WiFi to download. Plz read my first msg.

    Reply

  40. Earlier , I selected the option of “WiFi only”, when the phone asked for upgrading the android version. But somehow was not able complete the task. Now I want the upgration through “mobile data card”. What can be done. About phone–> system updates is showing the process “download on going”. Thank in advance

    Reply

  41. data in the Quick office is not visible when upgraded to kit kat but it is shown in storage details of settings. how can i access this data. plz help me

    Reply

  42. In new 4.4.2 dilling & contact screen coor is pure white even network signal, abattery charging is also in white. So not good

    Reply

Leave your comments

Be the first one to get the update, tips and tricks on Moto G? Get our free Newsletter Today!