Samsung USA confirms Android 4.4 KitKat update for multiple devices, rollout begins today

Earlier this month, a leak bought an unofficial list of devices that would be getting updated to Android 4.4 KitKat, at least in the U.S.. Today, Samsung USA has decided to make things official and has announced which of its phones and tablets will be getting the KitKat update, with many of the devices that were named in the leak actually included in the official list, including low-end devices like the Galaxy Tab 3 and the Galaxy S III mini (the upgraded model with LTE launched last year on AT&T and Verizon, not the international variant that came out in 2012.)

If you're rocking a Galaxy Note 3 or Galaxy S4, expect to see a notification for the update today itself, especially if you're on Sprint or US Cellular, as Samsung mentions that it will start rolling out starting today, confirming earlier leaks that suggested the update would be making its way to devices on the two networks.

Here's the full list of devices that will be getting KitKat:

• • Galaxy Note 3
• • Galaxy Note II
• • Galaxy S4
• • Galaxy S4 mini
• • Galaxy S4 Active
• • Galaxy S4 zoom
• • Galaxy S III
• • Galaxy S III mini
• • Galaxy Mega
• • Galaxy Light
• • Galaxy Note 8.0
• • Galaxy Tab 3
• • Galaxy Note 10.1
• • Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition

That's a pretty big list, which should make users of the aforementioned devices quite happy, though if you're using a non-flagship device, we would recommend patience as Samsung will likely take its time pushing out the newer version of Android. The presence of the Galaxy Note 10.1 on the list is especially good to see, as users of the device have been pretty vocal of the poor support Samsung has extended to the original Galaxy Note tablet, with the device on Android 4.1.2 for more than a year.

Here's the press release:

Samsung Confirms KitKat for U.S. Smartphones and Tablets

DALLAS, February 18, 2014 – Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) announced today that a number of Samsung Galaxy® devices will receive the Android 4.4.2 (KitKat) software update, enriching the Galaxy experience.

The upgrade provides a number of innovative, easy-to-use features that enhance the user experience, including a more intuitive user interface, enhanced messaging capabilities and updated applications:

• Location Menu: An integrated location menu enables users to easily activate GPS, Wi-Fi and mobile networks, while simultaneously checking the battery usage of apps running location service capabilities.
• Enhanced Messaging: Enables users to choose between Messages or Hangouts as their preferred default messaging application, and select from a larger assortment of updated Emoji icons.
• Upgraded Google Mobile Service™ (GMS) apps: Users can automatically back up photos and video and can open, view, rename and share Google Docs and files.

Samsung Galaxy U.S. devices currently scheduled to receive the KitKat update include select carrier variants of the Galaxy Note® 3, Galaxy Note® II, Galaxy S® 4, Galaxy S® 4 mini™, Galaxy S® 4 Active™, Galaxy S® 4 zoom™, Galaxy S® III, Galaxy S® III mini™, Galaxy Mega®, Galaxy Light, Galaxy Note® 8.0, Galaxy Tab® 3, Galaxy Note® 10.1, Galaxy Note® 10.1 2014 Edition.

Availability varies by carrier and product, with updates beginning today and continuing throughout the coming months.