As anyone who pays close attention to Android knows, Google names each update to its mobile operating system after a sweet treat, and does so in alphabetical order. Like the Vatican releasing smoke to signal the election of a new pope, the company makes these new names official by placing giant themed statues outside Building 44 at the Googleplex.
So far, Google hasn’t disclosed the name of the version of Android that’ll follow the current one, Ice Cream Sandwich. But at last week’s Mobile World Congress show, PCMag.com’s Sascha Segan noticed that the company was offering jelly beans to its guests, and took that as a playful hint. And Chris Ziegler of The Verge says that Android Jelly Bean will be followed by Android Key Lime Pie.
All of which leaves me wondering about the version of Android after that, and after that–all the way through to Z. Which will probably be the second-trickiest version of Android to name, after the one that must begin with X.
I have no inside info on Google’s plans, if it’s thought that far ahead. But I do have some proposals:
- Lemon Drop
- Marshmallow Fluff
- Nutmeg Tart
- Orange Sherbet
- Peanut Brittle
- Quince Pie
- Root Beer
- Smores
- Tiramisu
- Upside Down Cake
- Vanilla Wafer
- White Chocolate
- Um, Xigua? Xinomavro Grape Jelly?
- Yogurt-Covered Pretzel
- Zabaglione. Or, if brand-name delicacies are permitted, perhaps Zagnut or Zotz
Apple, which names its OS updates after big cats, will never be forced to come up with a feline whose name begins with “X” or “Z.” But it too will eventually need to think hard to come up with good monikers, especially since the world has far fewer species of big cats than it does delicious desserts. How long do you figure it has until it’s forced to release OS X Tabby?