Though the new Android v4.4 KitKat OS was unveiled on 31 October last year, only a handful of handsets have received the new firmware.

Consumers are expecting Android-based OEM (original equipment manufacturers) to roll out the new firmware to more devices this year. We have gone through multiple reports (official and unofficial) to come up with the list of devices which are expected to receive the new KitKat update this year.

Samsung smartphones:

South Korean smartphone maker Samsung, despite holding a staggering 63.3 percent share in the Android device market, has been slow in releasing the updates to its flagship devices.

So far, Samsung has rolled out KitKat update only to one device - Galaxy S4 Google edition in the US market.

France-based network carrier SFR has revealed that the company will release the Chocolate-wafer flavored OS update to Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 3, around late January or early February; so a global rollout will not be far behind.

Since KitKat is compatible to devices with 512MB RAM, the company is also rumoured to push the OS update to Galaxy S4 Mini (GT-I9190), S3 Mini (GT-I8190), Ace 3(GT-S7270), S Advance (GT-I9070), Ace 2 (GT-I8160), Core (GT-I8262), Fame (GT-S6810) and Fresh (GT-S7390), says SamMobile, which has accessed an alleged Samsung internal document. 

2012 marquee devices Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 are also part of probable candidates to get the new OS update

HTC devices:

HTC has released the KitKat update to regular HTC One models, as well as Google edition variants in the US. The firm is expected to push the OS update with Custom UI Sense v5.5 to HTC One in global markets, beginning from EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) regions in late January.

Technology website Engadget has reported that the Taiwanese company is also planning to release the update to HTC One Mini and the recently launched HTC One Max phablet soon.

Sony devices:

In November, Sony had released a list of devices eligible for Android v4.3 Jelly Bean and KitKat firmware. Staying true to its words, the company initiated the first phase with the release of Jelly Bean update to some 2013 models - Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia ZR, Xperia Tablet Z, Xperia SP and Xperia Z Ultra last month. Now, Sony smartphone owners just have to exhibit some patience to wait for the KitKat update (will probably need a couple more months).

LG devices:

LG has reportedly released the Android KitKat update to its flagship model G2 in Korea but the OS update for global markets are expected to begin only by the end of March.

Apart from G2, other 2013 models like Optimus G Pro and Optimus L II series phones are expected to receive the KitKat update, probably after they get the final Jelly Bean OS version update (v4.3).

Motorola devices:

In 2013, the Google-owned Motorola released the new update to its new smartphones Moto X and Moto G in the US, and is now reportedly planning to rollout the KitKat firmware to more devices, including Droid RAZR HD (regular and developer edition), Droid RAZR MAXX HD, RAZR M (regular and developer edition), Electrify M and Atrix HD.

Micromax handsets:

A couple of weeks ago, popular Twitter spy MMX Newscaster leaked an alleged Micromax internal document, containing a list of prospective Canvas series handsets lined up for the new KitKat update in 2014.

It included the Canvas Turbo A250,Canvas  Doodle 2 A240,  Canvas 4 A210, Canvas Magnus A117,Canvas HD A116, Canvas HD A116i, Canvas 3D A115, Canvas 2.2 A114, Canvas Ego A113, Canvas Doodle (first-generation) A111, Canvas 2 Plus A110Q,Canvas 2 A110, Micromax A101, Micromax A100 and Canvas 200 (not released yet but as the 'Canvas Turbo Mini').

Xolo Q700:

On 26 November 2013, during Xolo's routine 'Tech Tuesday' public discussion forum, a Q700 owner - Raghav Royal Aggarval - posed a question asking the timeline for the new OS update. The company tech executive replied that the v4.4 KitKat OS update would be rolled to the Q700 by the end of January 2014. 

Here is a brief description of key enhancements in the v4.4 KitKat OS update:

Improved Caller-ID: If a caller receives a call from unknown number, the phone will look for matches on the net with local listings via Google Maps.

Priority Contacts: The new OS empowers the phone to automatically prioritise contact list for easy access, based on the frequency of the peoples' contacts to which users talk.

Immersive display: To enhancethe entertainment factor, the new  OS comes with immersive mode, where the status bar and navigation buttons disappear in to the back ground while you play music, games and read e-books. Users can just swipe the edge of the screen to bring backtheutility buttons.

Enhanced Message grouping: Google has brought in some improvements to the new Hangouts app; now, users can find all their text SMSs and MMSs, audio and video call details all at one place. He/She can also share location and send animated GIFs.

Emoji Characters:  Initially users had to install third party app to use colorful characters in their SMS. Now, with KitKat update, the keypad comes pre-loaded with native Japanese Emoji emotion icons.

NFC and Wireless Printing: Google's new OS comes with improved Quickoffice app where-in people can create and store word documents online as well as print files wirelessly on NFC-enabled HP printers.

Bluetooth MAP (Message Access Profile):  This feature enables android devices in cars with Bluetooth support to exchange messages.

Multi-tasking:  With efficient memory management, users can multi-task by opening multiple applications; Listen to music while you can browse through the net.  

Performance: With low system requirements the new KitKat OS is expected to bring performance enhancements and also increase battery life.