Android 4.4 to be called KitKat, 1 billion Android devices activated so far

Android 4.4 to be called KitKat, 1 billion Android devices activated so far

Google today announced the next version of Android, believe it or not, would be called KitKat. Android 4.4, which was till today known as Key Lime Pie, will be the first Android version to be named after a commercial product. Google’s head of Android, Sundar Pichai, also announced today that Android had crossed a billion device activations. This means Android activations grew 100 percent since last September, when Google announced crossing the 500 million device activations mark.

Google says that it came up with the name and confirmed to the BBC that neither it nor Nestle are paying either side anything for using the brand name. Nevertheless, this will be a big marketing coup for Nestle. Google has traditionally named different versions of Android after desserts and has so far announced Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb and Ice Cream Sandwich. The next version was internally called Key Lime Pie before John Lagerling, director of Android global partnerships realized that not many people would have tasted the dessert and came up with KitKat that is known globally.

The deal was done within 24 hours after Lagerling cold called Nestle’s UK advertising agency last November. The two companies secretly met at MWC this February to chalk out the details. Nestle will be producing more than 50 million KitKat bars with Android branding that will be sold in 19 countries including India. The wrappers had to be printed two months in advance and Nestle managed to keep it a secret. The special bars will also have a contest where buyers will be able to win Google’s Nexus tablets. 

Evolution of Android

• Android 1.5 Cupcake: The first public release of Android, claiming to be the most open smartphone operating system.
• Android 1.6 Donut: Includes Google search bar, maps and YouTube.
• Android 2.0 Eclair: Introduces live wallpapers and folders for organizing icons.
• Android 2.2 Froyo: Brings voice typing and voice search to Android.
• Android 2.3 Gingerbread: Till recently the most popular Android version, adds support for more sensors including gyroscopes and accelerometers.
• Android 3.0 Honeycomb: Probably the most short-lived version of Android, brings a special version of Android for tablets to take on the iPad.
• Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich: Google gets serious about design and UI. This update introduces the new Halo UI along with the Roboto typeface.
• Android 4.1 Jelly Bean: Makes Android buttery smooth. Adds Google Now.
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• Android 4.4 KitKat: Google says it will “make an amazing Android experience available to all.”