Every version of Android has been named for a type of candy. That much is understand, and it’s a cute way to go about creating memorable version names. Each version has also been in alphabetical order: Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich, and the current release, Jelly Bean. Version 4.4 was expected to be Key Lime Pie, until Google surprised everyone by adding a giant statue of a KitKatified Android to the lawn.
After all the generic names, this struck some as a cheap marketing gimmick. Judging from the shiny (and admittedly slick-looking) new KitKat site that Nestle recently unleashed, cheap isn’t the word, but tacky sure is. Google is likely already taking bids on the next name, and grads of the India Institute of Technology have begun pushing for Lassi. Good luck to them. I suspect the makers of Lifesavers, Lemon Heads, and Laffy Taffy will be willing to pay more for the privilege.
How will Nestle feel if 4.4 isn’t well-received? What happens if KitKat is looked at with disdain when version 4.5 or even 5.0 comes out? What will happen when, if in a year or so, people are complaining about KitKat still not being available on a particular handset? After all, there are still handsets being sold that run Froyo, a fairly ancient bit of tech.
Will this turn out to be a boon for Nestle, or will this blatant marketing move bite them hard?
You really think so? Give me a Break….
Google actually surprises with this name as it’s been rumor that the Android version 5 would have the name Key Lime Pie.