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Google trolls beta testers with octopus Easter egg in latest Android O Developer Preview

Today, Google released the fourth and final Developer Preview of Android O, the next major update for its mobile operating system. But while it's considered to be a release candidate, the company still hasn't announced the name that will follow in the footsteps of Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, FroYo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich, Jelly Bean, KitKat, Lollipop, Marshmallow, and Nougat.

Fan guesses for Android 8.0 include Oreo and Oatmeal Cookie, but an Easter egg in today's build suggests something entirely different: Octopus. The Easter egg can be found by going to Settings -> System -> About phone -> Android version, and when you see the 'O' logo, hold it until the octopus appears.

The most obvious explanation for this is that Google is simply trolling its beta testers, which isn't abnormal behavior for the company. Because, well, octopus isn't a dessert.

To point out the obvious, an octopus has eight tentacles, which is why it's somewhat believable that the company might name it Android 8.0 Octopus. If it gets released on August 8, all bets are off the table.

Another possible explanation is that the firm is abandoning the theme of dessert names in favor of other foods or animals. Maybe the team just likes to eat octopus, or maybe we're just reading too much into all of this.

Last year, Google announced the name of Android 7.0 Nougat in June, although Marshmallow wasn't confirmed until mid-August the year before. The company should be making a formal announcement soon enough.

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