Most Android smartphone owners may be yearning for an Android Marshmallow update, which is understandable considering it’s the latest OS release from Google as we look forward to Android N’s final release. How according to May’s Android distribution numbers, Android KitKat still holds a fairly huge percentage. If you are among those that are still rocking a KitKat-powered device, then there are still a couple of ways you can make the most of its experience. Here is how:
Use your face to unlock your phone
What is more interesting and fascinating your phone with your phone? A lot of things, but still Android’s Face Unlock feature is still a neat trick that ensures that only your face allows any access to your all the personal data on your phone. Activating it is easy, go to
Settings >> Security >> Screen Lock and then enable
Face Unlock. Afterwards you’ll need to hold your phone in place to allow it to scan your face a couple of times before it forms a model. Note that to make it even more effective, ensure that your face is scanned in a variety of lighting conditions, this enables the camera to recognize your face no matter the time of day or location.
Use ART runtime for smoother running apps
Part of the process that runs Android apps is referred to as app runtime. Android smartphones running on Android KitKat and beyond come with
Dalvik and
ART runtime options, the latter of which ensures more efficient and smoother running of apps. However,
ART runtime isn’t activated by default on KitKat, thus to you need to head into your hidden Developer Options section under Settings and choose Select Runtime and the tap on Use ART. If you can’t find your
Developer Options under
Settings, then you've probably not enabled it. To do that, navigate to your phone’s
Settings menu >>
About Phone section and then tap Build Number at least seven times, until you a see a You are now a Developer message appear.
Turn on lock screen widgets
Lock screen widgets is yet another great feature that doesn’t come enabled by default on KitKat. You can access the toggle under
Settings >> Security >> Enable Widgets. Once the feature is enabled, you’ll be able to access a
+icon on your lock screen for adding the widgets you need, as well as access them easily by swiping left or right even while the screen is locked.
Transmit content to your TV
As long as you are proud owner of a Chromecast receiver, your Android KitKat running device can come in handy whenever you need to transmit content to your TV. First ensure that your phone supports this casting-feature, go to
Settings >> Display and check if the option ‘
Cast screen’ is available.
Have Google on your beck and call
Nothing screams Android than the “OK Google” feature. To most of us it serves as our companion or assistant whenever we need something done for us. Unfortunately the feature is not enabled by default on KitKat either, but you change this: go to
Google Settings >> Search & Now >> Voice and tap
OK Google Detection. There is also an option that allows you to access the function no matter what app you’re currently using, simply enable the From Any Screen setting.What other Android KitKat trick would like to share? Let us know in the comments below.
