Google still hasn't revealed any official details about its next Android operating system, Android 4.4 KitKat, but if a recent report is correct, then it looks like Android 4.4 will introduce 64-bit support.
Google has not confirmed 64-bit support in Android 4.4, but a photo (shown above) snapped during a recent Intel Developer Forum by DailyTech shows a presentation slide labeled "Enhancements on Android." Within the slide, an icon with the words "64-bit" can clearly be seen, hinting that Intel is looking to add 64-bit mobile processing technology to the Android sphere. This isn't an actual report on Android 4.4 itself, but the fact that Intel is looking toward 64-bit Android support is a fairly strong indicator that Google will be moving in that direction. Once again, however, we'll have to take it with a grain of salt until Google officially announces Android 4.4.
As of now, Android is a 32-bit operating system, and by bolstering the bits supported, Google can pave the way for Android hardware manufacturers to utilize more powerful hardware for increasing processing power.
Apple's brand new iPhone 5s smartphone is the first major smartphone to run 64-bit architecture on its brand new A7 processor. Many believe that Apple is making the move in order to better align its mobile and desktop operating systems, iOS and OS X, and allow for easier crossover between the two platforms (almost all new OS X-running systems are 64-bit). Google would be wise to follow, even if the only reason would be to appease Android hardware manufacturers like Samsung and ARM who want to push mobile computing to the next level.
Does 64-bit support in Android 4.4 have you excited? Let us know why in the comments section below.
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