from Hacker News

Android KitKat

by kolistivra on 9/3/13, 4:41 PM with 199 comments

• by jmduke on 9/3/13, 5:09 PM

  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.)

• by jamesjguthrie on 9/3/13, 5:11 PM

  "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

• by yid on 9/3/13, 5:59 PM

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

• by msoad on 9/3/13, 5:15 PM

  KitKat is very fragmented already! ;) [1]

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

• by dowskitest on 9/3/13, 5:00 PM

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

• by drunkenmasta on 9/3/13, 5:41 PM

  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.

• by Bjorkbat on 9/3/13, 6:42 PM

  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.

• by donbronson on 9/3/13, 4:57 PM

  [PUN WARNING] it's a breaking change

• by bitwize on 9/3/13, 5:14 PM

  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.

• by nemof on 9/3/13, 6:31 PM

  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.

• by salimmadjd on 9/3/13, 5:47 PM

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

• by kalleboo on 9/3/13, 7:01 PM

  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)

• by inthewind on 9/3/13, 5:58 PM

  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.

• by eranation on 9/3/13, 5:09 PM

  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.

• by tylerf on 9/3/13, 9:01 PM

  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.

• by olivercameron on 9/3/13, 5:01 PM

  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"?

• by likeclockwork on 9/3/13, 4:51 PM

  I can't tell if this is a joke.

• by boryas on 9/3/13, 5:02 PM

  I was sure it was going to be Key Lime Pie

• by sobering on 9/3/13, 6:25 PM

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

• by victoriap on 9/3/13, 4:56 PM

  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.

• by radley on 9/3/13, 4:58 PM

  At least it's not Mavericks.

• by tlarkworthy on 9/3/13, 5:11 PM

  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

• by emehrkay on 9/3/13, 5:39 PM

  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.

• by NicoJuicy on 9/3/13, 5:56 PM

  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/ )

• by duiker101 on 9/3/13, 4:52 PM

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

• by joshmcmillan on 9/3/13, 5:09 PM

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

  (Sorry)

• by zmmmmm on 9/3/13, 10:57 PM

  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.

• by dllthomas on 9/3/13, 5:06 PM

  Gimme a break.

• by benatkin on 9/3/13, 7:20 PM

  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.

• by pbhjpbhj on 9/3/13, 5:16 PM

  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?].

• by kayoone on 9/3/13, 5:09 PM

  Well, seems like Nestle bought itself some geek cred.

• by slacka on 9/3/13, 5:17 PM

  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

• by msoad on 9/3/13, 5:35 PM

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

  Android optimized for lower powered devices?

• by speeq on 9/3/13, 4:54 PM

  Maybe the next release is gonna be called Mars®

• by jordanthoms on 9/3/13, 5:50 PM

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

• by klrr on 9/3/13, 5:11 PM

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

• by VeejayRampay on 9/3/13, 5:36 PM

  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.

• by speeder on 9/3/13, 5:20 PM

  That is sad :(

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

• by Osiris on 9/3/13, 6:00 PM

  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.

• by pitchups on 9/3/13, 9:59 PM

  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.

• by bound008 on 9/3/13, 10:18 PM

  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.

• by suyash on 9/3/13, 6:41 PM

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

• by arbutus on 9/3/13, 5:13 PM

  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.

• by joefarish on 9/3/13, 6:01 PM

  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

• by ricards on 9/3/13, 6:22 PM

  The power of open source. Shame on Google.

• by pearjuice on 9/3/13, 5:51 PM

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

• by kbutler on 9/3/13, 8:07 PM

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

• by pauletienney on 9/3/13, 4:55 PM

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

• by theycallmemorty on 9/3/13, 7:58 PM

  That awesome landing page literally had me salivating.

• by vs4vijay on 9/3/13, 5:50 PM

  what about Key Lime Pie??

• by JDSD on 9/3/13, 6:23 PM

  Give me a break..

• by bachback on 9/3/13, 6:28 PM

  oh, I thought this about nyan cat :(

• by pauletienney on 9/3/13, 4:50 PM

  WTF

• by volokoumphetico on 9/3/13, 6:39 PM

  Meanwhile at Willy Wonka's...

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

• by steeve on 9/3/13, 6:58 PM

  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).

• by earlyriser on 9/3/13, 5:19 PM

  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-...