Android ‘N’ Finally Has A Name — Google Officially Christens The Latest Mobile OS Version With Another Dessert [Video]
Android N, the latest iteration to the most popular mobile Operating System (OS) for smartphones, finally has a name. Google, the maker of Android OS and the primary source of iterations that are always named after a dessert, hasn’t abandoned its theme. The company has named Android N as “Android Nougat.”
After months of speculation and nervous anticipation by fans of Android OS, the company officially announced the name of the latest iteration that will soon be released. Google had asked attendees to the company’s I/O last month for a suggestion and appears to have finalized a name from the received entries. Interestingly, the company hasn’t confirmed the exact version number, but Android fans are always excited to learn the dessert-themed name of the iteration.
Introducing #AndroidNougat. Thank you, world, for all your sweet name ideas! #AndroidNReveal pic.twitter.com/7lIfDBwyBE
— Android (@Android) June 30, 2016
Google Inc., the developer of Android OS for smartphones, has chosen to name the latest and as yet unreleased version of the OS “Nougat.” The company has stayed true to naming the Android OS version releases after desserts. The announcement of the name also came with a rather generic image of the Android bot. However, the bot is standing on nougat.
A release has a name. A release is #AndroidNougat! pic.twitter.com/4SV66sh3mV
— Dave Burke (@davey_burke) June 30, 2016
As always, the company followed protocol and erected a giant statue of the latest Android OS in front of its headquarters in Mountain View, California, reported GSM Arena. The lawn itself is now a colorful spread of deserts that represent each major iteration of Android. However, the simplicity of the statue does imply the company might be downplaying the importance of these desert-themed nicknames.
The time has arrived! #AndroidNReveal pic.twitter.com/vtbSOjQvWh
— Android (@Android) June 30, 2016
Many on the social media appeared confused and few even vented their frustration. Apparently people expected Android N, the logical and sequential successor to Android Marshmallow, to be Android Nutella. After all, the sweet hazelnut-cocoa paste is one of the most popular bread-spreads that’s eagerly consumed in many countries across the world.
People felt, given the reach of the brand, Google might choose to name Android N after Nutella. While there could have been a copyright issue, Google has in the past named one of the Android’s iterations KitKat. While Nestle owns the name, Google managed to work out an agreement wherein neither of the parties paid any money.
Here's hoping Android Nougat is more popular than actual nougat. That's definitely the old lady dessert no one wants. #AndroidNReveal
— Steven Schwark (@stevenschwark) June 30, 2016
Since the very first and stable release of Android, Google has always named the iterations after popular deserts. Hence, Android 1.5 was Cupcake, 1.6 was Donut, then Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich, Jelly Bean, KitKat, and Lollipop, reported Tech Crunch. The current iteration that is being sent as an Over The Air (OTA) update to hundreds of thousands of smartphones is Android Marshmallow. While KitKat and Lollipop continue to remain the most prevalent Android iterations today, Marshmallow is steadily increasing in adoption.
Here's a quick look at the #AndroidNougat statue at Google HQ!! https://t.co/aSHZEQPHmE pic.twitter.com/fpGHBF6bR5
— Android Central (@androidcentral) June 30, 2016
Many argue Google lost a wonderful opportunity to name the latest iteration as Android Nuts, but the confectionery does include a generous helping of nuts. Nougat is essentially a sweet bar that is made with honey and whipped egg whites. The bar contains multiple nuts, and sometimes chopped candied fruit, imparting a wide variety of flavors. However, the most trademark feature of nougat is its chewiness.
Really, Android? Nougat? https://t.co/DHDkFwZwDD pic.twitter.com/HKd2BTMUwz
— Gizmodo (@Gizmodo) June 30, 2016
Coincidentally, Android Marshmallow was 6.0. But that doesn’t mean Nougat will be 7.0. If the past is any indication, the latest iteration could be 6.1.
HTC promises Android Nougat upgrades for the One M9, One A9, and HTC 10 https://t.co/wHEr9hBIVj pic.twitter.com/okuMCLCAMg
— Android Police (@AndroidPolice) June 30, 2016
The common consensus on the internet doesn’t appear to be in favor of Android Nougat, reported The Next Web. However, apart from the name, the iteration has multiple appealing and interesting features including improved notification shade, split-screen multitasking, combined with enhanced support for Google’s own Virtual Reality (VR) platform called Daydream, and many more, reported the Verge.
Do you like the name of the latest Android OS iteration?
[Photo by Denis Doyle/Bloomberg/Getty Images]