Back in June, Google unveiled the next version of Android, and since then it has been in the hands of developers, ahead of its anticipated rollout to users in the next few weeks. But the new OS still doesn"t have a name, and is still officially known as "the Android L release".
Previous Android releases, since version 1.5, have been named after delicious treats:
- 1.0 Alpha
- 1.1 Beta
- 1.5 Cupcake
- 1.6 Donut
- 2.0, 2.1 Eclair
- 2.2.x FroYo
- 2.3.x Gingerbread
- 3.0-3.2.x Honeycomb
- 4.0.x Ice Cream Sandwich
- 4.1-4.3.x Jelly Bean
- 4.4.x KitKat
There has been considerable speculation over what the L release might be called, with many favoring "Lollipop" and some indications that it might end up being named "Lemon Meringue Pie". But as BGR reports, it looks like the name may end up being something entirely different.
Giovanni Calabrese is the head of Themendous, the company that creates the "sculptures" - giant Android models that accompany each release - which are displayed outside Google"s headquarters. Calabrese has been visiting Google HQ in recent days, and has apparently been making numerous references to licorice during his trip.
On October 7, he posted on Google+: "I never had a great liking for Licorice, but damn! There are some great flavors out there!" He also pointed out that, while travelling to Google, the TSA had asked him why he was carrying so many boxes of licorice with him, adding that he had handed out licorice to people at the gate when he was about to board his flight.
This could, of course, just be misdirection, although it seems like a slightly pointless venture to try to mislead people over what is ultimately a fairly trivial detail.
Source: Google+ 1 | 2 via BGR | image via Le Blog des Nouvelles Technologies