Android 4.4 Named 'KitKat' 247
Today Google revealed that the next major version of the Android mobile operating system will be called 'KitKat.' The naming convention has always used sugary snacks in alphabetical order — Jelly Bean (4.1 - 4.3) followed Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0), which followed Honeycomb (3.1 - 3.2), which followed Gingerbread (2.3), and so on. Unlike the previous releases, KitKat is named after an actual product, rather than a generic treat. Thus, Google contacted Nestle, who was happy to jump on board and take advantage of the cross-marketing opportunities. According to an article at the BBC, the Android team was originally going to use 'Key Lime Pie,' but they decided it wasn't familiar enough to most people. After finding some KitKat bars in the company fridge, they made the choice to switch. Nestle was on board 'within an hour' of hearing the idea.
Oh, just great ... (Score:5, Interesting)
Android 4.5, brought to you by Pepsi can't be far from here.
Screw you and your cross marketing opportunities.
Re:Meh (Score:5, Interesting)
That's fine and all, but I really don't care about the OS name. There's multiple articles out there and people going crazy _just for the name_. I want to know what's new in the OS for developers, not what their next marketing strategy is.
Also, the Android OS version apparently doesn't really matter anymore... they moved all of the critical API stuff to "Google Play Services" which auto-updates every week or so, and pretty much supports everything back to Android 2.2
http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/09/balky-carriers-and-slow-oems-step-aside-google-is-defragging-android/ [arstechnica.com]
Re:Alphabet (Score:3, Interesting)
... and yet they thought "key lime pie" was too unfamiliar?
The Florida Key Lime Growers Association made a lower bid?
Seriously, though, I won't break my sugar-free 'diet' for a KitKat, but wave some key lime pie in front of me ... what an opportunity to educate the masses and help farmers instead of a company that is famous for marketing infant formula as superior to breast milk in areas with unsafe drinking water.
Is it really worth being associated with baby killing?
Re:Google: Not Evil, Just Cosying Up With Evil (Score:5, Interesting)
The guys at Apple are having a good day today. The Boycott Nestle folks (I know many, and they're not the political types, mostly educated moms) may boycott any Android device running this version, just to send the message that those who build associations with Nestle get the same treatment.