Google releases 'Kit Kat' powered Nexus 5

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.

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.

The Nexus 5 features a 4.95-inch screen with a 1,920x 1,080 pixel display made of Corning's Gorilla Glass 3. It also has a front- and rear-facing camera and supports 4G LTE .

As with previous models in the Nexus line, the new phone won't require a commitment to a specific wireless provider. It goes on sale Thursday at Google's online store at starting at $349.