I have this latest version, and installed all updates this morning, no issues here and GUI is a little sluggish, like when you click on any item in top left it takes a second to open the menus...Hotspot ok, so not sure why you got issues...

I found some hotspot issue as well *sigh*. Ok, so another version was uploaded an hour ago. There would be no more updates to v1.4.4, this is it.

I'm trying to figure out why my VK-162 GPS fails to work with 1.4.4, but works fine on 1.4.3. It does connect, then nothing further happens. On 1.4.3 I get a GPS fix within a couple of seconds.
The 1.4.4 GPSD log tells me nothing, I've tried to install Wireshark to see what's being transmitted on the USB - but no success (access rights etc.).
Any suggestions? (troubleshooting/logs to check etc.)

Having same issues. Device doesn't start in Hotspot mode. v1.4.4

When was this downloaded? On September 18th, the "official" v1.4.4 was announced.

I downloaded 20/09/19 18:21 GMT

Could some issues be related to board temperature ?

How many of you use a case with a cooling fan and also confirm adequate power supply

I have the RPi 4b ps and a case with a cooling fan/heatsinks on cpu, usb controller and ram.
There’s quite a difference between active and no cooling, check this video:

I'm using a Vilros kit: power supply, case with fan, and heat sinks. No problems, working great so far.

Wi-Fi hot-spot strangeness solved (?).
So.. I was struggling with the stellarmate hotspot...
It was flaky.
SM 1.4.4 version was a bit special in this respect but 1.4.3 did work.
I did work indoors but every time I took my rig out for real shooting the hotspot would disappear or become unstable or refuse connections.
I blamed neighbors, power supply, etc.
To tell a long story short - it was the USB hub interfering with RPI4.
Indoors I had RPI4 and the hub away from each other.
Outdoors I velcro them together - in this arrangement the hot-spot is not really operational.
If I power off the hub - the hot-spot works fine.
RPI3 is not affected by the hub.
Just reporting...

Thanks, that's useful to know. What kind of case is used for the rpi4? could this be a factor as well?

Regular plastic case sold with CanaKit. For RPI3 I have clear/transparent, for RPI4 - black.
Could aluminum be more resistant?

Similar thing happens with RPI3 (didn't check with RPI4) and my 10" LCD/HDMI monitor which I use in the field - if I bring it closer than 20 cm to the RPI - hotspot dies.