Google Mum on Delayed Android 4.4 KitKat Software Update for Nexus Tablets

Last Tuesday, Google announced that it was starting to roll out the much-anticipated Android 4.4 KitKat update for Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 tablets. Three days later, on Friday, I wrote about the update delay and why I was frustrated. Today, almost a week after Google made its initial announcement, the update is still not widely available.

I reached out to Google yesterday seeking some clarification on what exactly is going on, and I got a very unspecific response that was “not for quote.” So I will not quote it here, but this about sums it up:

“We’re working on it.”

I sent a number of very specific follow up questions back to Google, but I still have not received a response.

It’s clear that the larger rollout of Android 4.4 KitKat to Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 users has been delayed, at least according to Merriam-Webster’s definition of the term.

Delay

de·lay

noun di-?l?, d?-

a situation in which something happens later than it should

I will update this post when, or if, I hear back from Google with specifics.

But this whole ordeal begs a few questions: Why would Google announce that the update was rolling out before it was actually ready to be released? If it was ready, what went wrong? And, finally, why is Apple able to rollout major software updates to millions and millions of users with mostly minor problems while Google was unable rollout the Android 4.4 update to a much, much smaller number of Nexus users without delays? One of the main reasons to buy a Nexus is device is quick and easy access to Android software updates.

The situation spotlights a real difference between the two companies and the two mobile platforms.

AS