Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo gets a bite of Android 4.4 KitKat in India

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo is finally receiving Android 4.4.2 KitKat in India, bringing the device to the same OS version as its larger siblings. The new firmware is being delivered over the air and we’re pretty sure that it’ll be available through the Kies PC software as well.

The news of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo getting Android 4.4.2 KitKat broke on XDA Developers. While the South Korean conglomerate hasn’t officially disclosed its availability or provided a changelog, a few XDA members have posted screenshots of the update.

You’ll basically have to download around 495.61MB to get your smartphone updated to KitKat. Apart from the usual fixes and enhancements the OS tags along, there are changes from Samsung’s side as well, which are mostly cosmetic. Users will be treated to an enhanced UI and a new launcher settings menu. The overall stability of the interface has also been improved.

Coming to the lock screen, you’ll now be able to launch the default camera app through the dedicated shortcut on the bottom right corner. Also, Album art will be displayed here during music playback. The Note 3 Neo was recently given a price cut in India, making it available for Rs 29570 through Samsung’s eStore or Rs 27249 via online retailer Flipkart.

Quick view of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo specs:

- 5.5-inch 720p Super AMOLED display
- 2GB RAM, 16GB storage, 64GB expandable
- Exynos 5 Hexa processor
- 2MP front camera, 8MP rear snapper
- 3100mAh battery

If you haven’t received the Android 4.4.2 KitKat upgrade as yet on your Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo, you could manually search for it via the Software Update option in the About phone menuunder settings.

Gionee GPad G5 5.5-inch hexa core phablet laucned for Rs 14999

The Gionee GPad G5 phablet may have a hexa core processor, but it’s a downgrade in a manner of speaking when compared to its predecessor and this shows in the price of Rs 14999 attached to it. The GPad G4 is currently pegged at Rs 16999 officially even though it was launched for Rs 18999.

The only advantage the Gionee GPad G5 possesses at present is the fact that the Mi 3 has stepped away from the limelight temporarily. Otherwise, it’d be racking up a lot of criticism considering its price is Rs 1000 heavier than the Xiaomi phone’s tag.

And it’s not like the GPad G5 has anything spectacular to show in comparison. Apart from having a hexa core processor, its specs sheet isn’t too impressive. There’s 1GB of RAM onboard and 8GB of ROM, though it does come with expandability of up to 32GB unlike the Mi 3 and GPad G4.

The new GPad takes some design cues from the Mi 3 although it would have done better to borrow more tips on the internal components. The phone is sharp on all four corners and has an easy way about it on the back with its slightly curvy build which should offer a good grip.

This forthcoming Gionee device embeds dual SIM slots and 3G connectivity, but no 4G LTE. Its 5.5-inch IPS display which is protected with Dragontrail Glass would have been more interesting if it did full HD instead of sticking to 1280 x 720p resolution .

At least there’s Android KitKat inside and a decent capacity 2400mAh battery that will let you squeeze about 12 hours of 3G talk time out of it. You also get two SIM card slots and an 8MP camera with flash on the back. You’ll have to make do with a 2MP lens for video calls.

Gionee GPad G5 key specs at a glance:

- 5.5-inch 1280 x 720p IPS Dragontrail Glass screen
- Android v4.4 KitKat OS
- 8MP main camera w/ LED flash, 2MP front lens
- 1.5GHz hexa core Cortex A7 processor
- 1GB RAM, 8GB internal storage
- 32GB memory expandability
- 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS
- Dual SIM card slots
- 2400mAh battery, 12 hours 3G talk time
- 157.3 x 77.6 x 7.9 millimeters
- Black and white color options

The Gionee GPad 5 is not up for sale yet, but it will be made available soon enough through the company’s very own store as well as via other retailers.