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...
Also Nestle are releasing some kind of limited edition KitKat bar, so it's clearly something beyond the usual naming system.
Obviously just speculation on my part, but seems more likely (to me) than Google actively trying to get sponsorship on a code name.
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.
I don't know, I think the alphabetical releases are quite useful to make the chronology clear, second only to numbered versions.
It is a funny name...and I do have to wonder whether they actually got paid for this.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nestle#Controversy_and_criticism
Please excuse my sweariness but I am somewhat put out.
Also, KitKats taste like shit.
I don't see why his viewpoint causes so much controversy - from an entepreneurial standpoint, which should be welcomed here - you can't deny him credit for rationality.
"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.
"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?
Android Lion
Android Mars
Android Nuts
Android Oreo
Android Peppermint Crisp
They'll have to introduce their own brand of chocolate after that.
Lollipop seems likely.
[1] http://www.buzzfeed.com/lydiah/35-kit-kat-varieties-from-aro...
If given the choice between a delicious eclair, or the frozen yogurt, and a plain old package of KitKats, I would choose eclair or the froyo. Quite a few people probably would too. This is because KitKats are inferior. Some people will even add crumpled KitKats to their frozen yogurt much in the same way they might add sprinkles.
Anyway, you guys get what I'm saying. I basically think it was a bad idea to name the latest version of android "KitKat". Key Lime Pie is classier.
Still, KitKats really stood out to me as just less wholesome compared to the other dessert items Google has chosen for android versions, if that makes any sense. I've had some fun experiences with trying out weird flavors of jelly beans, or eating ice cream sandwiches during the summer.
As for donuts, I got the wild idea a few years back to to be an organic farmer, to the point where I dropped out of school and actually worked as a sort of vegetable grower/manager for a while. If I was running behind and didn't have time to cook, I would visit any one of the locally-owned donut shops, occasionally run by some owner of Czech heritage (something about Czechs and really good pastries), and pick something up. So despite donuts being ridiculously unhealthy, they bring back interesting feelings.
KitKats, they don't quite have that emotional effect on me.
For Kit Kat, which is the candy bar, I see Wikipedia first, followed by kitkat.com and android.com/kitkat third.
Their SEO isn't dead, but that space is and will be increasingly significant.
(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
Does anyone know if Kit Kat will be available for the Nexus 4? I ordered one a few days ago and it will be my first smartphone so I have next to no idea how Google deals with providing newer Android releases to "older" phones.
Really? What does that even mean? Why is it that the only analogy that people can find for "smooth" is "butter"? I actually find butter kind of gooey and greasy.
...but not gritty nor lumpy.
Also, "smooth as silk".
http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/blog/forests/kit-kat-give-orang...
http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/nestle-baby-...
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!)
http://cdn-static.cnet.co.uk/i/c/blg/cat/mobiles/key-lime-pi...
From Wikipedia 'kit kat':
Use of the name "Kit Kat" or "Kit Cat" for a type of food goes back to the 18th century, when mutton pies known as a Kit-Kat were served at meetings of the political Kit-Cat Club in London.
Now a mutton pie doesn't quite sound as sweet a desert.
Android optimized for lower powered devices?
I preferred Key Lime Pie (the fact that this is my favourite dessert is only coincidence ;) )
Thanks, but I'll stick with iphone/iOS, at least I can update it. (iPhone 4 from 2010 running iOS 6).
We've already seen Google take a more modular approach to adding Android enhancements via individual application updates to the Play Store, GMail, YouTube, etc. This has allowed users running older versions of Android to take advantage of more up-to-date software, despite the lack of manufacturer-provided updates. Given the degree to which the Play Store service can modify the OS in the current version of Android, it seems reasonable to suspect that these modular updates could be extended to include the kernel, system services, and low-level run times. Google may have decided that they will own and update key portions of the operating system, and leave their partners to focus on updates to their device-specific "enhancements."
This prediction is consistent with the tag line associated with Android 4.4 on the linked page: "It's our goal with Android KitKat to make an amazing Android experience available for everybody."
How to explain the value behind such a "behind-the-scenes" feature to the technologically illiterate masses? A KitKat is a modular candy bar. All the fingers are the same. You can swap out a single finger without fundamentally altering the integrity of the whole. Perhaps Eric Schmidt will explain it better on-stage.
This is an attempt to make Android a household name like ... Kitkat
They are promoting Google+ with it, as it seems that KitKat is an active user (on G+) and has a lot of members on it.
They are trying to get more bussiness on g+ and refering to the new Android as chocolat. Which probably means they want to create the whole Android experience a lot smoother and unified (judging from the description on http://www.android.com/kitkat/ )
Today's marketing stunt is fun, but this is an OS name - it is going to live on in history for a decade or more, it is going to be checked into the android git repository. There will be reviews calling "KitKat" a smoking turd, people trashing and trolling it all over the internet. Tim Cook will probably get up on stage and lay into it at some point. People will be making icons and fan art based around it, and pulling all kinds of stunts that would normally catch the ire and get a swift cease and desist from a major company like Nestle.
So has Google negotiated with Nestle that they are not going to suddenly get "uncool" with this and go with the flow? If not, fun as it is, I feel like this could be something that ends badly. Proprietary trademarks and open source don't generally mix well, and when they do you need pretty robust agreements in place.
This is different from the generic names of sweets. This is a specific product, which isn't sold at Whole Foods, and is cheaper, more unhealthy, and less satisfying than what Googlers are likely to buy.
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?].
- The Note III launch tomorrow
- The fact that Apple sent out invites for its iPhone event today
"Oompa Loompa Stop Whipping Us, He's Not Sleeping He's Overworked"
