"We’re naming the next version of Android after one of our favorite chocolate treats, KitKat. Look for specially branded KitKat bars in a store near you that give you a chance to win a Nexus 7 or Google Play credit."
This is a tiny bit embarrassing for Google, honestly.
I guess because it's a bit like they're selling out, even though the BBC article a bunch of people have linked here says otherwise.
But really, imagine if Apple called OS X 10.10 "Pepsi" and you got a free upgrade with every Pepsi you bought. It just feels… I dunno, it feels kinda corporate and sketchy to me, and I think others as well.
This takes silly version names to a whole new level.
I guess it makes sense for an ad company to sell naming rights to some extent, but I can't think of another occurrence of google mixing it's branding like this before. Google historically set themselves apart by keeping ads somewhat separate.
More likely is someone chose this name, that conveniently starts with a K, and then they sought out the owners of KitKat to make sure they were okay with it. I'm sure they were, free advertising.
I would guess they came up with the idea of kitkat and contacted Nestle for permission to use the name and likely Nestle saw a good opportunity to use it as marketing.
Obviously just speculation on my part, but seems more likely (to me) than Google actively trying to get sponsorship on a code name.
It's a cross-promotion. Google gets to promote its devices on the Kit Kat label and Nestle gets Google pumping its candy. No reason to assume any money changed hands. Google may well have paid Nestle.
The explanation might be simpler than you're suggesting. When a registered trademark is used by someone other than the person holding the trademark, it's often allowed if the use is in an unrelated domain -- in this case, computer software, not candy. Because this doesn't confuse the public or hurt the originator's business, often there's no complaint.
But the fact that Google has been favoring food names doesn't change the basic idea, that those uses won't confuse the public who are in the market for the other kind of ice cream sandwich.
it's not Android 5.0 but 4.4. I am curious what functions are still left before we don't need anything new. I mean, with Windows XP, Microsoft had already reached the upper limit of what is enough for anybody. But, somehow I am expecting a surprise on Chrome, ChromeOS, Android integration, but can't guess.
I assume KitKat has a trick up its sleeve to solve the notorious fragmentation issues that plague Android. Why else would they say "available for everybody"?
Don't sweat it too much. I disagree with that comment too, but I think it's a valid opinion and I bet a lot of people feel that way. The comments immediately below it present an alternate view. Diversity of opinions is a good thing.
Most likely what they mean by that is an optimization of the system so that it runs better or low-end (i.e. cheap) devices (think: india, africa, china markets) as currently you need relatively high-end hardware for smooth operation.
"everybody" in this context means "large numbers of people who can't afford high-end hardware"
Google was talking about those optimization plans during last I/O, I believe.
I don't get why people are extrapolating corporate stuff out of this. Google needed a candy/desert that began with 'K'. KitKats are delicious, and its pretty hard to think of anything else that fits the pattern (I saw 'key lime pie' thrown around a bunch, but I think that's more of a stretch.)
At any other company, the marketers or whoever would have said "well, we obviously can't call it KitKat, 'cause that's trademarked". At Google, they know they're big enough that they might actually get KitKat to agree. But would another big company even have tried? I gotta give them credit, in a weird sort of way, for having the arrogance/self-confidence necessary to do it.
If you scroll to the bottom you will find two buttons labelled "Learn more about Kit Kat" and "Learn more about Nexus". If you click on the first button you are taken to a page about the candy bar, not the new OS version. This was clearly a paid product placement.
My post describes exactly what is "scammy" about it, hint: there's other links. Though you could also argue click here to learn about KitKat should give you an Android 5.0 info page since this is android.com
It's google award for KitKat for being very active on G+ (it's the first thing i thought about checking after i saw this, and i was right) - also, haven't found such big "communities" except Google's own.
Probably they also were joining G+ from the start and i couldn't find any article about the default smartphone the employees of KitKat receive :) .
PS. I believe KitKat's competitors aren't really happy about this :)
Whatever happened behind the scenes, two things are clear:
1. Nestle gave Google permission to use the trademark
2. Google is providing advertising for Kit Kat
So I see only two possibilities:
1. Google asked Nestle for permission to use the trademark for no compensation, Nestle agreed, and Google subsequently decided out of the goodness of their heart to advertise the candy bar in a manner that is unprecedented in the history of the company, or
2. Google asked Nestle for permission to use the trademark, and Nestle agreed in exchange for the aforementioned advertising, i.e. a quid pro quo.
I'll leave it to you to decide which is more plausible. But the Google+ thing is a red herring (except insofar as it might provide some insight into why Google decided to give Nestle such a sweetheart deal).
[UPDATE] Just to be clear, I don't think there's anything at all sinister about this deal. In fact, I think the coordinated campaign is rather clever.
Both have an advantage with one promotion, so it's not really this for that.
Both have the same advantage, but to different people.
Google shows KitKat to other companies (Here is a business active on our community - ecosphere) and KitKat is shown to other people (hey look, we love Android to and we are social - looking at their page, they really are ;-) ).
I'm actually curious about any difference in KitKat's sales because of this action...
I hope that KitKat would show that in the future, as a return to Android enthousiasts.
We are all aware of a multitude of things, but it would be nice for a corporation just to share something... (and like it or not, that's the most used action on my Android phone :-P)
Yes. iPhone was a registered trademark of Cisco's, and this was something that Apple was fully aware of[1]. They pulled the same thing a couple of years later with iOS. If anything, it's much more likely that the KitKat name was done with Nestle's approval, given that they're at least getting recognition/a product tie-in.
Apple Inc. (née Apple Computer) has a pattern of willful trademark infringement. After several litigated disputes with the Beatles' Apple Corps, Apple Computer agreed not to enter the music business but reneged when they launched iTunes[1].
It should be noted, though, that a judge did not find them in breach of the agreement, and ordered Apple Corps to pay Apple Computer.
Furthermore, Apple offered money beforehand, despite believing (and being able to convince a judge) that they didn't have to. So it seems at least in that case they aren't the bad guys.
Personally, I feel like KitKat is a better name. I wish it was as simple as naming the version that and then moving along, but with a trademarked it can't be. If Nestle is going to agree to a deal where no money is exchanged, they need to get something out of it. So it seems like it makes sense for a couple of initial publicity things and then it will be just the same as any other name.
It is being offered by Hershey's and not Nestle. KitKat is made and distributed by The Hershey's company in US and this marketing campaign is only happening in the US.
Whoa, buddy. I'm taking that as disrespect! How can you compare a soggy breaded ice cream "sandwich" to a chocolaty coated; ice cream loaded, big and thick; no room for a stick Klondike!? :-D
This is just a reminder how "hidden scroll" content is such bad UX, how many of you noticed the little triangle / scrolled down and found out there is more? I found out only accidentally.
I have a very nice Bluetooth keyboard that simply does not work on Nexus devices because 4.3 broke Bluetooth keyboard mappings. It's fixable by rooting and renaming a certain file, but dammit, it should work out of the box.
Can't forget that GOOG just added AVRCP 1.3 support, after 2+ years and hundreds of comments on the issue https://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=5450. Also, Bluetooth Low Energy support, again, greatly delayed.
Doesn't Japan have a huge variety of all sorts of food and drink, in general? Something about the huge amount of vending machines, and needing to grab attention with something different?
Also just realised that "froyo" is not just a made-up name but stands for "frozen yoghurt" [mental process: why's "froyo" got a dish of ice-cream? ah?].
Android 4.3 was only release a few days ago. I'm surprised they're announcing 4.4 already. Both this link and the BBC article don't have any information about what new features are in this release. Seems pointless to just announce a name.
The next Nexus phone should be out in November. They often introduce the newest version of Android on those (all except the Nexus 4, which came with 4.2 introduced on the Nexus 7).
210 comments
[ 2.9 ms ] story [ 222 ms ] thread"We’re naming the next version of Android after one of our favorite chocolate treats, KitKat. Look for specially branded KitKat bars in a store near you that give you a chance to win a Nexus 7 or Google Play credit."
This is a tiny bit embarrassing for Google, honestly.
I don't see anything, whatsoever, embarrassing about it. It sounds like they're having a bit of fun with it, and why not?
But really, imagine if Apple called OS X 10.10 "Pepsi" and you got a free upgrade with every Pepsi you bought. It just feels… I dunno, it feels kinda corporate and sketchy to me, and I think others as well.
I don't really have a problem with it though.
Android Lion
Android Mars
Android Nuts
Android Oreo
Android Peppermint Crisp
They'll have to introduce their own brand of chocolate after that.
I guess it makes sense for an ad company to sell naming rights to some extent, but I can't think of another occurrence of google mixing it's branding like this before. Google historically set themselves apart by keeping ads somewhat separate.
It is a funny name...and I do have to wonder whether they actually got paid for this.
I don't know, I think the alphabetical releases are quite useful to make the chronology clear, second only to numbered versions.
Obviously just speculation on my part, but seems more likely (to me) than Google actively trying to get sponsorship on a code name.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-23926938
Lollipop seems likely.
I'm gonna retort with lemondrop. Much more my taste. Although a Lutefisk smoothie does sound tasty ;)
"everybody" in this context means "large numbers of people who can't afford high-end hardware"
Google was talking about those optimization plans during last I/O, I believe.
http://cdn-static.cnet.co.uk/i/c/blg/cat/mobiles/key-lime-pi...
However, Google told the BBC that it had come up with the idea and that neither side was paying the other.
"This is not a money-changing-hands kind of deal," John Lagerling, director of Android global partnerships, told the BBC.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-23926938
I see "Learn more about KitKat" and "Learn more about Nexus", both of them lead to exactly what's described.
Here:
http://www.hersheys.com/kitkat.aspx
(A dreadful site by the way.)
It's google award for KitKat for being very active on G+ (it's the first thing i thought about checking after i saw this, and i was right) - also, haven't found such big "communities" except Google's own.
Probably they also were joining G+ from the start and i couldn't find any article about the default smartphone the employees of KitKat receive :) .
PS. I believe KitKat's competitors aren't really happy about this :)
From wikipedia: Quid pro quo ("this for that" in Latin) means an exchange of goods or services, where one transfer is contingent upon the other.
1. Nestle gave Google permission to use the trademark 2. Google is providing advertising for Kit Kat
So I see only two possibilities:
1. Google asked Nestle for permission to use the trademark for no compensation, Nestle agreed, and Google subsequently decided out of the goodness of their heart to advertise the candy bar in a manner that is unprecedented in the history of the company, or
2. Google asked Nestle for permission to use the trademark, and Nestle agreed in exchange for the aforementioned advertising, i.e. a quid pro quo.
I'll leave it to you to decide which is more plausible. But the Google+ thing is a red herring (except insofar as it might provide some insight into why Google decided to give Nestle such a sweetheart deal).
[UPDATE] Just to be clear, I don't think there's anything at all sinister about this deal. In fact, I think the coordinated campaign is rather clever.
So they should have some permission / permission about it.
Both have the same advantage, but to different people.
Google shows KitKat to other companies (Here is a business active on our community - ecosphere) and KitKat is shown to other people (hey look, we love Android to and we are social - looking at their page, they really are ;-) ).
I'm actually curious about any difference in KitKat's sales because of this action...
I hope that KitKat would show that in the future, as a return to Android enthousiasts.
We are all aware of a multitude of things, but it would be nice for a corporation just to share something... (and like it or not, that's the most used action on my Android phone :-P)
Yes. iPhone was a registered trademark of Cisco's, and this was something that Apple was fully aware of[1]. They pulled the same thing a couple of years later with iOS. If anything, it's much more likely that the KitKat name was done with Nestle's approval, given that they're at least getting recognition/a product tie-in.
[1] http://www.cultofmac.com/143006/how-steve-jobs-steamrolled-c...
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Corps_v_Apple_Computer
Furthermore, Apple offered money beforehand, despite believing (and being able to convince a judge) that they didn't have to. So it seems at least in that case they aren't the bad guys.
http://www.gradiente.com.br/smartphone-linha-g-gradiente-iph...
Also Nestle are releasing some kind of limited edition KitKat bar, so it's clearly something beyond the usual naming system.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-23926938
(Sorry)
pointing out one of Google's major issues: deploying updates in a timely fashion.
Downvotes to this post will show how Google wants to hide this fact
This is an attempt to make Android a household name like ... Kitkat
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-23926938
I have a very nice Bluetooth keyboard that simply does not work on Nexus devices because 4.3 broke Bluetooth keyboard mappings. It's fixable by rooting and renaming a certain file, but dammit, it should work out of the box.
Apple has had AVRCP 1.4 since iPhone 4S :(
(I just really want cover art in my car!)
[1] http://www.buzzfeed.com/lydiah/35-kit-kat-varieties-from-aro...
Somehow they can afford having a convenience store (combini) open 24h each 350 yards and at each side of the street. Economy at an amazing scale.
Also just realised that "froyo" is not just a made-up name but stands for "frozen yoghurt" [mental process: why's "froyo" got a dish of ice-cream? ah?].
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-23926938