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Google announces Android 4.4 "KitKat"

Arthur

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Arthur

Arthur

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Source: Google (via Ars Technica / Android Police)

 

This is not a joke. The next version of Android will be called "KitKat." The picture below is not a photoshop, it's an actual picture shared by Sundar Pichai, the head of Android, on Google+. Google has also launched a website for KitKat at android.com/kitkat/. Right now the site only features a small history of Android and the following announcement:

 

Android is the operating system that powers over one billion smartphones and tablets. Since these devices make our lives so sweet, each Android version is named after a dessert: Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich, and Jelly Bean. As everybody finds it difficult to stay away from chocolate, we decided to name the next version of Android after one of our favorite chocolate treats, Kitkat®!

 

Yes, this is an actual cross-branding initiative with Nestle's KitKat. The Android site links back to kitkat.com, and KitKat is celebrating the renaming with a new Facebook Profile picture. Nestle will be releasing a limited edition Android KitKat bar, with Willy Wonka-style winning tickets for a new Nexus 7 or Google Play credits.

 

For almost a year, the community believed the next version of Android would be called "Key Lime Pie," but apparently Google just loves to keep its fanbase guessing.

 

The bottom of the Android page pegs this version as "4.4" and shows off the official logo. There will no doubt be news about this all day, hopefully including the traditional unpacking video. Stay tuned to Ars and we'll continue update this post or compose another as more information becomes available.

 

http://i.imgur.com/jVVcpRI.png

 

http://i.imgur.com/mNuUrDo.jpg

Edited by Arthur
timbo343

timbo343

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Another bit of info:

 

What does it mean? It probably means Google is going to allow people with older hardware to get onto the latest version of Android, finally squashing the claims that Android is suffering from fragmentation.

 

Google hasn’t given an exact release date yet, but taking into account recent history and the fact that Google usually keeps the name of the new version of Android close to its chest until right before launch, the update could be imminent.

 

We’ll be sure to keep you up to date with the latest information in regards to Android 4.4 KitKat, so make sure to follow this space closely.

 

Source: Next version of Android to be called Android 4.4 KitKat!

Arthur

Arthur

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It probably means Google is going to allow people with older hardware to get onto the latest version of Android, finally squashing the claims that Android is suffering from fragmentation.

I think what's more likely is that Google will add some new features to older Android phones through the "Play Services" app and Android Support Library, but all of the major features will be reserved for devices that ship with "Kit Kat" pre-installed or those that are upgrdable to "Kit Kat" (Nexus 4/7/10 etc.).

 

Balky carriers and slow OEMs step aside: Google is defragging Android « Ars Technica

 

Nearly everything that can be moved out of the main OS has been. The only features left that would require an OS update are things like hardware support, Application Frameworks APIs, and Apps that require a certain level of security or access (like the lock screen, Phone, and Settings apps).

 

This is how you beat software fragmentation. When you can update just about anything without having to push out a new Android version, you have fewer and fewer reasons to bother calling up Samsung and begging them to work on a new update. When the new version of Android brings nothing other than low-level future-proofing, users stop caring about the update.

 

This gets even more interesting when you consider the implications for future versions of Android. What will the next version of Android have? Well, what is left for it to have? Android is now on more of a steady, continual improvement track than an all-at-once opening of the floodgates like we last saw with Android 4.1. It seems like Google has been slowly moving down this path for some time; the last three releases have all kept the name "Jelly Bean." Huge, monolithic Android OS updates are probably over—"extinct" may be a more appropriate term.

 

Not having to package everything into a major OS update means Google can get features out to more users much faster and more frequently than before. Android feature releases can now work just like Google's Web app updates: silent, continual improvement that happens in the background. Your device is constantly getting better without your having to do anything or wait for a third party, and developers can take advantage of new APIs without having to wait for the install base to catch up. This should all lead to a more unified, less fragmented, healthier Android ecosystem.

 

http://i.imgur.com/WmhctMF.png

Arthur

Arthur

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Google, Nestle and Android 4.4 KitKat: Here's how it all went down « Android Police

 

In an interview with BBC News UK, both Nestle and Google spilled the beans on exactly how this co-branding and partnership came to be, and it's actually quite fascinating.

 

Originally, Google was going to use the long-rumored codename Key Lime Pie, but after realizing that "very few people actually know the taste of a key lime pie," the company opted to change the name at the end of last year. Someone (presumably on the Android team) suggested KitKat as a name since the company keeps KitKats "in the kitchen for late-night coding" snacks.

 

After a bit of digging to find who actually controlled the KitKat name, Director of Android Global Partnerships John Lagerling gave Nestle a call to pitch the idea to them. The following day, Lagerling joined a conference call with Nestle, and the agreement was made just 24 hours later. Nestle Marketing Chief Patrice Bula claims it took them less than an hour to make a decision, stating that he was aware of the risks that could potentially arise from the co-branding.

 

"Maybe I'll be fired," he said, "when you try to lead a new way of communicating and profiling a brand you always have a higher risk than doing something much more traditional. You can go round the swimming pool 10 times wondering if the water is cold or hot or you say: 'Let's jump.'" And jump they did – the companies held a secret meeting at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona this past February to finalize the details.

 

Here's where things really get interesting. In order to keep the new name and partnership under wraps from the media, Google employees privy to the deal continued using KLP as the moniker for the upcoming version of Android – even when discussing details with manufacturers and, in many cases, other Google employees. In fact, most Googlers didn't know about KitKat until the statue was erected in Mountain View. That explains why we haven't heard a single rumour surrounding the new name – Google and Nestle managed to keep everything quiet for nearly a year. That's impressive.

 

The final aspect of this deal worth talking about is that it's not a "money-changing-hands kind of deal," according to Lagerling. They wanted to do something "fun and unexpected," so neither company is paying the other for the partnership. It's just two giants in their own respective fields coming together for a bit of a good time, but the benefits will likely be seen across the board for both parties.

jmak

jmak

Posted
Posted
Does the new name mean that any device with 4.4 fitted is guaranteed to smash at least one bit with even the slightest drop?

 

Perhaps if you put it in your pocket, it will melt into a nasty mess - and if you use it, you will be left really needing a drink...

 

But mostly, I'm with @sparkeh - been boycotting Nestlé for years

LosOjos

LosOjos

Posted
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This means War!!!

 

Or, you know, another minor hardware upgrade touted to the masses as a revolution :p

 

EDIT: I was trolling but seriously, the big news is it's available in more colours?! Couldn't make it up...

 

the rumoured 5C could be interesting though, although I have my doubts that a "budget" Apple device really will be a budget device, more likely in the mid to high end Android price range.

Edited by LosOjos
LosOjos

LosOjos

Posted
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Sad isn't it??

 

Unbelievably so. For all Steve Jobs' faults, Apple does seem a shadow of it's former self. I've never been a fan of Apple myself, not because I dislike the products (they're fine, just overpriced), but I can't deny they knew good marketing and it seems Jobs had more to do with that than you might expect from someone so high up the chain - I can't remember the last time I even saw an advert for an Apple product.

 

As for the Android KitKat - I just hope this doesn't mean we're a step away from ads built in to the OS! It's bad enough all these companies abusing the openness to flood your notifications bar with the damn things (incidentally, any app that posts ads in my notification bar gets instantly uninstalled)

Edited by LosOjos
creese

creese

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Unbelievably so. For all Steve Jobs' faults, Apple does seem a shadow of it's former self. I've never been a fan of Apple myself, not because I dislike the products (they're fine, just overpriced), but I can't deny they knew good marketing and it seems Jobs had more to do with that than you might expect from someone so high up the chain - I can't remember the last time I even saw an advert for an Apple product.

 

Not watched much TV or been to the cinema then? Apple product placement is rife in the little TV I watch.

 

My partner has an iphone and and ipad. She has no idea how to use either. People hear iphone and think they are the only option. I'll turn her to Android one day.

LosOjos

LosOjos

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Not watched much TV or been to the cinema then? Apple product placement is rife in the little TV I watch.

 

OK that was bad wording on my part, I should have said I don't remember the last time I saw a memorable Apple ad :p product placement sails right over my head - I either ignore it or, if it's really in your face, make a mental note to avoid that product and it's pushy owners.

 

My partner has an iphone and and ipad. She has no idea how to use either. People hear iphone and think they are the only option. I'll turn her to Android one day.

 

Yeah unfortunately the term iPhone has become synonymous with smart phone - though it could be argued that's an example of good marketing from Apple (when I say good I mean effective, whether it's deceptive, ridiculous, downright false or otherwise)

creese

creese

Posted
Posted
OK that was bad wording on my part, I should have said I don't remember the last time I saw a memorable Apple ad :p product placement sails right over my head - I either ignore it or, if it's really in your face, make a mental note to avoid that product and it's pushy owners.

 

I'm the same normally, but for various reasons have been taking a close look at marketing lately and a lot of people do not ignore it. They see Siri and have no idea there are a number of alternatives on Android. they also fail to read the 'Sequences are shortened on thi advertisement , to con you into believing iPhones are fast'

  • 3 weeks later...
synaesthesia

synaesthesia

Posted
Posted

I have a genuine query. Yes, read it as "Syn is an Apple hater" because we all know that's true, but anyone that knows me also knows I stay unbiased on the products.

 

IOS7 is 900MB.

 

Why?

 

Jellybean, a far more featureful and capable mobile OS is 160MB.

 

Where's the difference? I'm assuming it's not chock full of pointless images, is there something therefore that I'm missing?

What makes it worse is that IOS has far, far less to do - not dissimilar to OSX vs Windows in the task at hand. Android is customised a little for each handset naturally so it's less "wide" than Windows per se, but 740MB is a hell of a lot.

DMcCoy

DMcCoy

Posted
Posted

IOS7 is 900MB.

Jellybean, a far more featureful and capable mobile OS is 160MB.

 

Where's the difference?

 

Samsung's "Android" for the S3 is a mere 1.2GB!

 

Currently using android, but in that additional space, at least Apple managed to put in automatic proxy detection, and a usable GUI for 802.1x wireless.

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