An alleged leaked Google memo points to a change in strategy that will see all new Android phones come with KitKat pre-installed.

Posted on blog MobileBloom, the memo is aimed at curbing the number of handsets released running on older Android software.

If the memo is genuine, it could drastically change the way in which budget Android phones operate, bringing an end to the usual year-late update to the latest OS.

The document reads: "Starting February 2014, Google will no longer approve GMS distribution on new Android products that ship older platform releases. Each platform release will have a 'GMS approval window' that typically closes nine months after the next Android platform release is publicly available."

No GMS approval means no access to things like Google Now, Maps or Hangouts. and a possible exemption from Google Play.

The Android 4.4 KitKat operating system is currently running on less than 2% of Android devices.