Kit Kat: Google Launches New Smartphone

Google releases 1st phone powered by 'Kit Kat'

Google is releasing a smartphone that it hopes will become more like a clairvoyant friend than a piece of hardware.

The Nexus 5 phone is the first device to run on the latest version of Google's Android operating system, nicknamed after the Kit Kat candy bar.

It goes on sale Thursday at Google's online store at starting at $349.

"With KitKat, we've slimmed down Android's memory footprint by doing things like removing unnecessary background services and reducing the memory consumption of features that you use all the time," the company said in a statement.

The Nexus 5 and Kit Kat software are designed to make it easier to use Google's search engine and other services to learn about a person's habits and needs so it can display helpful information.

Google Inc.'s virtual assistant, Google Now, also engages in richer dialogue with Nexus 5 users.

As with previous models in the Nexus line, the new phone won't require a commitment to a specific wireless provider.

CNBC reported that it was rumored that the tech giant would also unveil a new Nexus 10 tablet made by Asus and possibly even a smartwatch at the event, but the company stuck to revealing just the new smartphone and OS.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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