Android KitKat | Hacker News Reader

Android KitKat

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262 pointskolistivra199 comments

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.

What if KitKat came to them?

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.

It's not supposed to be paid by either side:

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

Nope, not paid: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-23926938 it's just a bit of fun.

Indeed, it's a totally scammy 'click here for your free Nexus' too. Surprised there wasn't a dozen popups shilling penis pills and investment advice

Where do you see anything scammy on the website?

I see "Learn more about KitKat" and "Learn more about Nexus", both of them lead to exactly what's described.

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

Same happened to me - expected info about the upcoming OS release not the candy on the bottom link.

I think he means the primary link, not the footer links.

Here:

http://www.hersheys.com/kitkat.aspx

(A dreadful site by the way.)

Oh, OK, I am not in US, so that links lead to Nestlé's KitKat site - http://kitkat.com/ - that explains it.

You know why it's probably not a sponsored deal?

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 :)

So there is a quid-pro-quo, even if there is no money changing hands.

Err, no. What he described is not a quid-pro-quo, unless they knew that being active on G+ would result in 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.

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.

Sorry, I thought you were specifically responding to "It's google award for KitKat for being very active on G+."

Actually, Google might not need permission for the trademark, if the trademark only covers candy.

They are refering to Android - as sweet as chocolate - so that is a referral to KitKat as a company / product.

So they should have some permission / permission about it.

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)

> But would another big company even have tried?

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...

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].

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Corps_v_Apple_Computer

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.

iPhone is trademarked in Brazil to another company called Gradiente. They even recently launched a new version of their iPhone running Android.

http://www.gradiente.com.br/smartphone-linha-g-gradiente-iph...

Primarily because KitKat is a brand name, and Key Lime Pie is not.

Also Nestle are releasing some kind of limited edition KitKat bar, so it's clearly something beyond the usual naming system.

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.

Got a source for this? According to the BBC, Google talked directly with Nestle.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-23926938

It's both. Hershey has the US rights, Nestle has the rest.

Apple did this with "Mighty Mouse" and VIACOM.

Apple never had a cross promotional marketing effort with the makers of Mighty Mouse.

That's true, I haven't really read all the details about this KitKat deal.

Klondikes!

Too similar to Ice Cream Sandwich

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

Key lime pie, Kugel, Kringle, Kifli, Kulfi, Klondike, etc. But hey, KitKat works.

Shout out to the Racine Kringle Company.

Krapfen!

kettle corn

Kadayif, Kheer

When we've had "Ice Cream Sandwich", "Key Lime Pie" isn't much of a stretch... I do like KitKat better, though, for what little that's worth.

"Google told the BBC that it had come up with the idea and that neither side was paying the other."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-23926938

The incredible take-away from that article is that the deal was struck 24 hours after a cold-call to Nestle's marketing switchboard.

Text from my friend: "The new Android version is apparently named Kitkat. HN is distressed."

KitKat is very fragmented already! ;) [1]

[1] http://www.buzzfeed.com/lydiah/35-kit-kat-varieties-from-aro...

A huge number are from Japan. Man, they love their KitKats! I've actually tasted the Wasbe KitKat. It was pretty horrible, too.

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?

Combini stores, vending machines everywhere… And that goddamn Suica!

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.

Genuinely surprised that there's no octopus kitkat.

Ah, product placement. Immediately brought this to mind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lgLYGBbDNs

Brought to you by Carl's Jr.

I was excited to learn about a new Android release but all I got was a transfer to the KitKat candybar site at the bottom and a manipulative "See if you have won!!! aka go buy some kitkats" at the top.

They just released it today to counter the iPhone press conference confirmation.

*announced it. See the bottom of the page, its a mailing list for when they release.

KitKats aren't a dessert item, they're a cheap brand of candy people buy at gas stations or at the grocery store checkout line either because they want some no-thrills candy to snack on, or because their kids won't shut up.

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.

You could apply the same criticism to Jellybean. Or, for that matter, Ice Cream Sandwich. (Ice cream is a dessert, but ICS can only be interpreted as cheap prepackaged food.)

I don't know, I used to go out of my way to buy those Jelly Belly brand Jellybeans, but I do agree that ice cream sandwichs and for that matter donuts are a cheap food, kinda realized that while I was thinking about the post.

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.

You do realize that if current trends continue, there will be Android KitKat phones on sale right next to or behind the gas station / convenience store counters with the chocolate Kit Kats, right? And that this has been an explicit goal of Google's since the beginning?

[PUN WARNING] it's a breaking change

next level fragmentation

Give me a break...

Reminds me of this XKCD http://xkcd.com/927/

I just hope they fix Bluetooth.

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.

Apple has had AVRCP 1.4 since iPhone 4S :(

(I just really want cover art in my car!)

I just wish my car supported A2DP streaming instead of just voice streaming over Bluetooth... 3.5mm or USB cable doesn't even supply the song's name.

Krass as fuck. Really deeply irritated by Google deciding to sully their product by associating with scumbags like Nestle:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nestle#Controversy_and_criticism

Please excuse my sweariness but I am somewhat put out.

Also, KitKats taste like shit.

Peter Brabeck (then CEO of Nestlé) on free drinking water: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyAzxmN2s0w

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.

As I see it, KitKat is lowering their brand by associating with Android. Nestle doesn't provide the NSA with location data of where I'm eating candy. Besides, KitKats are baller.

Actually, each KitKat bar contains a radioactive isotope that's compared with the chemical traces left on your fingers after handling coins and paper money to uniquely identify you. So while you're right that Nestle doesn't provide the NSA with location data of where you're eating candy, they're actually providing the NSA with location data of where you go after eating candy. Such as the toilet.

Is the deal with Nestle, or Hershey's (which represents KitKat in the USA.) The Android.com/KitKat page points to http://www.hersheys.com/kitkat.aspx, at least for me in the US.

From Sweden it points directly at kitkat.com

I assume with Nestle, the IP holder. Hershey's makes KitKats under license; I'd be amazed if they have the right to use the trademark any way they feel like as a part of that.

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

I actually feel super proud!

Android has never been a premium brand - it's a lowest common denominator product. This is perfectly appropriate.

So I take it Lollipop is then next? That is assuming google follows the alphabetic confectionary nomenclature.

Then M&M?

Maybe even with a similar corporate collaboration with Eminem

I always loved the white M&M's.

I'd go with Marzipan

That won't happen, because Americans basically don't know what marzipan is.

Honeycomb isn't exactly popular here either.

Neither was Android Honeycomb

Monsanto.

This deal with KitKat may well set the precedent for that to happen! In fact, wouldn't be surprised if the marketing/branding folks at M & M and other candy manufacturers are already thinking along these lines.

My GF isn't a techy person, but she asks "What's with this Android KitKat thing!?". So I explain it to her. She says "I MUST HAVE A KITKAT."

Of course...I also got a KitKat...

"Alphabetic confectionary nomenclature" is a fantastic phrase, and I regret that I will have great difficulty finding another use for it.

I'd go with Lemon Drop.

or Lemon Sherbet, because Dumbledore :)

Well this guarantees my sister isn't getting an Android (she's part of the Nestlé boycott since they continue to push breast milk replacements on people living in poverty)

For those worried about Google coming to blows with Nestle (How we still lament the demise of Rowntrees)...

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.

Kit Kat is also a famous sex club in Berlin nightlife.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KitKatClub

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 just assumed there would be more and scrolled down, worked out.. but yeah, not very apparent otherwise

I predict that the name "KitKat" was selected not only for cross marketing purposes, but also to serve as a handy metaphor for the key enhancement to Android 4.4. I suspect Google has reengineered Android to allow for modular system-level updates, while leaving user-space modifications, (such as carrier and manufacturer-added software,) untouched, similar to how Canonical has stated Ubuntu Touch updates will work.

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.

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"?

You saw this already, right? https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=6317614

That top comment is so daft and separate from the reality of open source development. HN has really degraded if that comment gets taken seriously.

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 believe they already released most of the interface performance optimizations in 4.3. I would be happy to see more though.

For a minute, I thought you were trying to make a joke about how KitKats are meant to be broken apart.

Break me off a piece of that KitKat... ecosystem?

Considering all the different flavors of kitkat in Japan, I would think it would become more fragmented, not less.

I can't tell if this is a joke.

I think the android.com homepage clinches it:

"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.

People have criticized Android codenames for the history of those codenames. Jellybean? Froyo? Eclaire? Donut? How are those better than KitKat?

I don't see anything, whatsoever, embarrassing about it. It sounds like they're having a bit of fun with it, and why not?

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.

I don't really have a problem with it though.

I like it. Thumbs up to Google for the name.

I see that now, but when I first looked I thought somehow I had been tricked!

I'm okay with this.

Android Lion

Android Mars

Android Nuts

Android Oreo

Android Peppermint Crisp

They'll have to introduce their own brand of chocolate after that.

None of those things contain enough cocoa to deserve the name "chocolate".

Honeycomb

Or they could call it Android Quick Bread.

I think Android Quik would be next (and perhaps likely if KitKat goes well given the Nestle connection and the scarcity of "Q" dessert names).

It's called Nesquik.

And another tiny bit of my childhood dies... :(

I was sure it was going to be Key Lime Pie

I kind of hoped it would be[1] as well.

http://cdn-static.cnet.co.uk/i/c/blg/cat/mobiles/key-lime-pi...

Two or three years ago I was bandying about "Kladdkaka" as a possible future Android codename. Not sure if KitKat is more or less silly.

"KitKat's SEO (for the candy bar) just dove into nothingness. Forever." -my boss

I thought you were kidding, but then I checked. Indeed, on Google, android.com/kitkat comes up first, then kitkat.com. On DDG and Bing, search results are still all about the snack.

I'm having a harder time telling the natural hits from the ads these days but in mine it's kitkat.com first followed by "news for kitkat", then wikipedia, hershey's, and finally android.

This is what my Google SERP looks like in Safari, not logged into Google:

http://i.imgur.com/hTa6Izu.png

(The Kitkat.com listing has a different description than it did an hour a go, because of the Android tie-in. But even then, the Google Android page was higher up the list.)

For KitKat (which is the OS name) I see android.com/kitkat first, kitkat.com second and Wikipedia third.

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.

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.

It's part of their defragmentation play.

At least it's not Mavericks.

Tech users may scoff, but normal people like KitKats. People don't say Google phone or Android, they say Samsung and iPhone.

This is an attempt to make Android a household name like ... Kitkat

Software gets me more excited for new hardware than the software itself. I can't wait to get a nexus with kitkat. At this rate we would see Android Whatchamacallit by 2022.

Actually, this is a smart move from Google.

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/ )

well... i didn't know that google was so short on money that needed a sponsored release...

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.

It isn't branding, though. These are effectively code names, and outside of humorous shortcuts they don't really matter.

It is a funny name...and I do have to wonder whether they actually got paid for this.

> This takes silly version names to a whole new level.

I don't know, I think the alphabetical releases are quite useful to make the chronology clear, second only to numbered versions.

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.

"This is not a money-changing-hands kind of deal," - John Lagerling, director of Android global partnerships - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-23926938

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.

That's a good point, but in this case it's questionable since Google has been specifically naming their OS's after candy.

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.

Google told the BBC that it had come up with the idea and that neither side was paying the other.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-23926938

Either that or Google thinks Android market share in Japan needs a boost...

Wow, looks promising. I might take a break from iOS for this.

(Sorry)

Me too, can't wait until 2021 to see it on my Android.

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

Looks promising? They've only announced the name. They haven't announced a single new feature.

He was just attempting to make a "Break me of a piece of that KitKat bar" joke - but we all know how far jokes on on HN.

I wonder how comprehensive Google's agreement with Nestle is?

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.

Gimme a break.

Hahaha. I hope HN's anti-pun psyche sees through this one.

My main gripe about this is that Google is sending the message to consume more toxic junk food to the public, while sending the opposite message to employees. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/google-cru...

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.

Really, dislike this advertising.

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?].

Well, seems like Nestle bought itself some geek cred.

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.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-23926938

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).

> It's our goal with Android KitKat to make an amazing Android experience available for everybody.

Android optimized for lower powered devices?

My first thought was continuing the anti-fragmentation push with more Play Services stuff. I can definitely see an optimisation push though, the spec wars are getting ridiculous and it's still worthy of mention in a review that a phone doesn't lag.

Maybe the next release is gonna be called Mars®

The next letter in the alphabet is L.

Lollipop seems likely.

Or Licorice.

Lutefisk.

My Norwegian step-father just gave you a thumbs up.

I'm gonna retort with lemondrop. Much more my taste. Although a Lutefisk smoothie does sound tasty ;)

Linzer-Tart does seem unlikely. Though arguably much more delicious.

Lindt

Clearly Google saw the Microsoft-Nokia headlines, and decided they had to come up with something even crazier than that...

Is this serious release or some kind of joke? (not trying to be negative, just wanna be sure if it's serious or not)

Posted this in the other thread but I'd really like to know :)

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.

One of the main selling points of nexus devices is that they tend to get timely updates (or at least much more timely than other phones). Particularly if you bought through Google Play, Nexus phones tend to get OS updates damn near immediately.

It will. The question is whether Galaxy Nexus will get it, as Nexus S will certainly not (stopped at 4.1).

I would assume so. Part of the Nexus experience is getting the new versions. I might have some doubts if the Nexus 4 was a couple of years older, but it is still a relatively new Nexus device.

That is sad :(

I preferred Key Lime Pie (the fact that this is my favourite dessert is only coincidence ;) )

kitkat?? dafuq man... what happen to Key Lime Pie.

buttery graphics

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.

> I actually find butter kind of gooey and greasy.

...but not gritty nor lumpy.

Also, "smooth as silk".

It's a pun towards Project Butter. http://techcrunch.com/2012/06/27/android-jelly-bean-official...

Slightly blurry, and can't be heated to very high temperatures.

Wonder if the success of this tie-up may start a new marketing/branding trend? That is more companies may start doing cross-brand tie ups among non-competing products.

They do have KitKats in the mini kitchens at google so at least they are not lying about being fans. Although they are on the bottom red shelf for unhealthy snacks.

I wonder how much of revenue from the sales of KitKat, Hershy's would be sharing with Google. Nice Marketing/Sales ploy though.

Still have no intention of going back to Android any time soon but I am craving a Kit Kat now, so I guess the joke is on Google here.

I wonder if the timing of this annoucement is linked to either:

- The Note III launch tomorrow

- The fact that Apple sent out invites for its iPhone event today

The power of open source. Shame on Google.

How can a FOSS product have a version name which is linked to a closed source recipe?

Android is not a FOSS product, there's just parts of it that are open source ("AOSP"). There's a big heap of proprietary parts starting from the kernel level going up to Play Services that are required for a functional Android experience.

When Android gets to 'T', they have to choose TicTac.

This is only for Android 4.4 (scroll to the end of the link).

That awesome landing page literally had me salivating.

what about Key Lime Pie??

Give me a break..

oh, I thought this about nyan cat :(

WTF

Meanwhile at Willy Wonka's...

"Oompa Loompa Stop Whipping Us, He's Not Sleeping He's Overworked"

And to be able to use it, you'll need to buy the next Nexus phone! Or wait till your OEM releases its crapware loaded version in 6-12 months (or never, actually).

Thanks, but I'll stick with iphone/iOS, at least I can update it. (iPhone 4 from 2010 running iOS 6).

What did you just add to this discussion?

Some years ago "Don't be evil" was Google's motto, however Nestle is far from being a good company, specially KitKat brand.

http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/blog/forests/kit-kat-give-orang...

http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/nestle-baby-...

Aw, Christ.

I agree. Google has sunk lower with this one.

What a loaded comment. Guilt by association is almost always rubbish.

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