8 Things We Know About The Android N Name

Android lawn statues
Android lawn statues Flickr

Android N won’t be available until sometime this summer. But as the second developer’s preview reveals more details about the upcoming operating system, we are reminded that much about the software remains unknown. In particular, its name will likely remain a secret until its official unveiling. But there’s lots of fun to be had in the speculation.

Here’s a rundown of what we already know about the Android N nickname.

The Android N name will start with the letter N

This may seem like a big fat duh, but not everyone is quick on the uptake. Since the inception of the Android operating system, developers have named it alphabetically. The Android nicknames include Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, (we do not speak of Honeycomb), Ice Cream Sandwich, Jelly Bean, KitKat, Lollipop and Marshmallow. So it stands to reason that the next nickname will start with an N.

Google began referring to unnamed Android systems by their letter in 2014, with the launch of Android Lollipop, which was called Android L prior to launch. Android Marshmallow was called Android M. Now we have Android N.

The Android N name is not “New York Cheesecake”

The first name we can rule out for Android N is New York Cheesecake , because that is the internal codename Google is using for Android N. Bloggers found “NYC” code within the the Android Open Open Source Project repository and quickly decided that it stood for New York Cheesecake.

However, Google’s internal code names for Android operating systems are always different from the official nicknames revealed to the public. Some previous code names include Key Lime Pie (KLP), Lemon Meringue Pie (LMP) and Macadamia Nut Cookie (MNC), which are considered too long and intricate to be an Android nickname. However their 3-word sequences do make for good code.

The Android N name is not “Nori,” “Nachos,” “Nougat” etc.

Google also made sure we could cross off a host of other prospective Android N nicknames. In March, the tech giant released a poll, asking users to select their favorite from a list of treats that begin with the letter N. Included in this poll were Napoleon, Nut Brittle, Nachos, Nori, Noodles, Nougat and Neapolitan Ice Cream.

Any nickname suggestion mentioned by Google prior to the official launch of an operating system is pretty much automatically ruled out as an official name. But Nutella enthusiasts will be glad that it is still in the running, for now.

The Android N name is a tasty treat

One could assume the Android operating systems are named after desserts or candies. But in recent years, Google has explained the nicknames are actually “tasty treats.” Google Senior Vice President for Android Hiroshi Lockheimer has said tasty treats are the type of food Android developers snack on while building software late at night. They are simple and universally loved.

The Android N name may be 7.0

In addition to a nickname, Android operating systems also have a version number. Android Marshmallow launched in 2015 as Android 6.0, while Android Lollipop launched in 2014 as Android 5.0. Before that there were several Android versions in the 4 sequence, including Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, Android 4.2-4.3 Jelly Bean and Android 4.4 KitKat.

Many pundits believe that when Google increases the number sequence by a full digit, it indicates the software includes many major updates, while more incremental increases indicate smaller updates. The two developer previews suggest Android N will be an extensive upgrade, with features including native MultiWindow support, Vulkan API support, app launch updates and a revamp of emoji designs, to name a few.

So when Samsung inadvertently mentioned “Android N(7.0)” in the change history of its own MultiWindow developer kit, pundits automatically made the connection. However, much like the nickname, the Android N version number is also unconfirmed at this time.

The Android N name may be savory instead of sweet

Some of the earliest news about the Android N name surfaced in February when Lockheimer first teased about “Nori.” Fans immediately began suggesting that Android N could be Android Nori; however, we proposed that Google could just be hinting at a salty or savory tasty treat instead of a sweet treat. While we think nachos would have been a fine suggestion, it has already been ruled out.

We really don’t know what the Android N name is

Google is extremely selective about the nicknames of its Android operating systems. Once announced, the actual Android N name will feel like the most obvious choice. Until then, a variety of suggestions will continue to go through the rumor mill.

Google will likely tease us further at Google I/O

Google I/O will take place May 18-20, where the company is expected to reveal more detailed information about Android N. But Google will likely also have fun trolling the public with fake Android N name suggestions.

At Google I/O 2015, Android Vice President of Engineering Dave Burke wore an Android Wear watch, which featured watchfaces with many “M” treats, including a milkshake and muffin. At that time developers in attendance were certain Android M’s name would be milkshake. At Google I/O 2014, there were many teasers of androids eating key lime pie, when the Android name was actually KitKat. Google I/O 2016 is sure to be filled with hints about Nori, Nougat and Neapolitan Ice Cream.

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