Google"s Android mobile operating system has always used code names that are based on tasty foods. For example, Android 2.2 is code named Froyo (for frozen yogurt) and Android 2.3 gets the name Gingerbread. The tablet exclusive Android 3.0 has the code name Honeycomb while the upcoming Android 4.0, due to be released later this fall, has the yummy code name Ice Cream Sandwich.
Now Thisismynext.com reports via unnamed sources that the version of Android after Ice Cream Sandwich may use the code name Jelly Bean. An update to that same story says that while that name is being considered, Google has yet to make that decision official. It"s likely that whatever the final code name turns out to be, it won"t be released until sometime in 2012.
Google is still being highly secretive about what features Ice Cream Sandwich will have, much less Jelly Bean, although some screenshots showing its user interface leaked onto the Internet a few weeks ago. A few days ago, Google CEO Eric Schmidt confirmed that Ice Cream Sandwich, which is supposed to be used on both smartphones and tablets, will launch sometime in October or November. That"s also the time period when, according to rumors, Samsung plans to launch the Droid Prime smartphone, which is supposed to be the first smartphone with Ice Cream Sandwich inside. Verizon is also supposed to be the exclusive wireless carrier that will carry the Droid Prime. Google would certainly like for the launch of Ice Cream Sandwich to take some of the attention away from the launch of Apple"s iPhone 5 which may be released in October.