Google has announced the Android 4.4 upgrade plan, and the Galaxy Nexus will not receive the KitKat update.

Android 4.4 is finally here. The new system brings several updates: the phone dialer app allows quick search for names and places; Hangouts replaces the original messaging app, enabling direct sending of text messages, images, and video files; the camera includes a new HDR+ mode that supports taking multiple photos at once, then selecting the best parts to stitch together into the optimal photo.

Google also recently updated the Android 4.4 device upgrade plan. The Nexus 5 comes pre-installed with the new system, while the Nexus 4, Nexus 7, and Nexus 10 can all be upgraded to Android 4.4. However, the new system is currently only available on the Nexus 5, and Google plans to roll out KitKat to older devices over the next two weeks.

But the Galaxy Nexus, released in 2011, will not see Android 4.4. Google's explanation is that the Galaxy Nexus, which was released two years ago, has exceeded the 18-month update cycle provided by Google and other device manufacturers. However, insiders told Engadget that hardware issues are the main reason the Galaxy Nexus cannot use KitKat — the Galaxy Nexus uses the Texas Instruments OMAP 4460 chip, and last year Texas Instruments laid off 1,700 employees and announced its exit from the consumer electronics market. In this situation, continuing to optimize the system for the Galaxy Nexus doesn't make much sense.

In the future, third-party developers may be the only hope. However, as of now, neither CyanogenMod nor XDA developers have announced plans to adapt Android 4.4, so it remains to be seen whether Galaxy Nexus users will be able to use KitKat.

The featured image is from James Brook.