I do not think Google would do something like that, pretty sure it was an issue with your phone alone, like the app is no longer compatible or something. It was Amazon who removed tracking from their shipping notice emails so Google Now can't detect it and you have to log into Amazon to see it.
Originally Posted by
Greg C One thing of note about the 4.4 update... you can't control app permissions with a 3d party app like you could with 4.3.
What 3rd party app are you talking about? If you mean Apps Op, that's an integrated Android feature, not a 3rd party feature. The shortcut to it is disabled on KitKat but its still there, there is an app that can reenable it, I forgot which one though.
Also I'm 100% positive the N4 will get the next update, incremental one at least. It's only a year old, 18months is the typical time Google stop the updates.