The next upgrade forSony's Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia ZR and Xperia Tablet Z starts from today, rolling in selected markets, with more to follow over the coming weeks.

Google's KitKat release includes some new features in addition to a few performance tweaks:

• Google's Android 4.4; KitKat as standard = bringing improved performance & user interface (UI) optimisation

• If you've got a Sony PlayStation 4, you might recognize Sony's new user interface - Sony has added the same launch animation and live wallpaper across the lock and home screens. You'll also spot a revamped Status Bar and Quick Settings - now more customisable and also with a fresh new look, cleaned up to offer the notifications you need

• Sony is also uplifting its entire native app portfolio to the latest versions bringing tweaked / improved / current experiences:

• Messaging - a few UI adjustments here & there, including a slicker "send" animation, and deeper Emoji support - also worth noting, you'll find smileys wherever there's an app with a keyboard
• Email - you'll be able to both load and see more mails - but don't fret, navigation of said load is easier with a more responsive viewing pane - plit screen modes divide info for easy digest
• Smart Social Camera - Sony's social imaging experience makes its debut on the first Z Series devices; a selection of Xperia Camera apps directly accessible from your viewfinder - including "Creative Effect", and more for download to boot.
• Battery STAMINA Mode - level-upping Sony's power management feature, bringing smarter data management

• Sony's Media apps: WALKMAN, Album and Movies, with Sony Entertainment Network cloud service integration - Sony Entertainment Network & PlayMemories integration with a newUI and better download speeds

• Sony's custom interface experience: "Xperia Themes-, with downloadable UI packs from Sony Select - skin up to 280 assets across your Xperia smartphone with a variety of styles

• Compatibility with SmartWear Experience; SmartBand SWR10 and Lifelog app - enabling you to record social, physical and entertainment activities and have them all visualised in an interface

Next up, Sony will also start rolling Android 4.4 KitKat for Xperia T2 Ultra, Xperia E1 and Xperia M2 (and dual variants) from July.