The next version of Android, 4.4, will be named KitKat, a statue outside of Google HQ has revealed. This name replaces the much rumoured 'Key Lime Pie' moniker that Google seemed to be using previously.
Surprisingly, KitKat is a trademark owned by Nestle, so it is likely that some money has changed hands along the way - this is definitely an interesting marketing move for both companies.
Sundar Pichai, the SVP for Android, Chrome & Apps at Google also announced in a Tweet that there have now been "1 Billion Android activations":
We now have over 1 Billion Android activations and hope this guy in front of the building keeps that momentum going pic.twitter.com/V0VovgmObl
— sundarpichai (@sundarpichai) September 3, 2013
Google have also updated their website, which now includes a teaser for the next version, and reveals that it will be Android 4.4, rather than the hotly anticipated 5.0. This next version's features are expected to be announced in the coming months, following the earlier announcement of Android 4.3 and the new Nexus 7.
Update: A Nestle press release has confirmed that while no money was in fact involved in the decision, the makers of KitKat will embrace the partnership, with competitions and limited edition Android shaped KitKats as prizes. There will be specially branded packaging in 19 countries including the US, the UK, Australia and Germany. Patrice Bula, Nestlé’s Head of Marketing commented:
We’re excited to announce this partnership with Android, the world's most popular mobile platform, which will help us to enable even more KitKat fans to enjoy their break.
Source: Google | Image: Sundar Pichai on Twitter
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