Google announces Android ‘Marshmallow’ operating system
Google shared some sweet news on Monday: The next version of its mobile operating system will be called Android Marshmallow.
As you may or may not know, nearly every version of Android has been named after a candy or dessert in alphabetical order, starting with the letter "c." (The first two versions were just called Alpha and Beta.)
"Some people think they're dessert-themed, but it's really technically tasty treats," Hiroshi Lockheimer, Android's vice president of engineering, said in a behind the scenes video.
The Marshmallow announcement isn't as surprising as "Kit Kat," when the rumor was Key Lime Pie (but Google struck a last-minute deal with Nestle), or as controversial as "Honeycomb." But Android M was widely believed to be "Macadamia Nut Cookie."
"A lot of people throw in their ideas -- internally as well as externally," said Lockheimer. A French pastry association even sent Google a treat for naming consideration -- a kouglof -- for Android K.
Developers got a first look at the new operating system back in May, during Google's I/O conference. Google gave the final version of Android Marshmallow to developers on Monday., and it will launch to the public in the fall.
Android Marshmallow focuses on subtle improvements to the user experience, including squashing a ton of bugs and overhauling basic features. The biggest addition is Android Pay, Google's latest take on mobile payments. It's pretty similar to Apple Pay, and a big improvement over Google Wallet, the companies earlier attempt at a mobile wallet.
Other Android M improvements include a new permissions tool that gives users more control over what data they share with apps. There are battery saving features, in Marshmallow, as well as a new tool that lets you open Chrome browser tabs directly inside apps instead of asking users to choose between Chrome and an app.
Here's a look back at all of Android's sugary names:
Cupcake Donut Éclair Froyo Gingerbread Honeycomb Ice Cream Sandwich Jelly Bean Kit Kat Lollipop ...and now, we have Marshmallow.
