Android KitKat will be the name of the latest version of Android mobile operating system, Google said on Tuesday.
Specially branded Kit Kat bars will be opened in India soon to kick off its celebrations.
The news on Android KitKat coincides with the announcement on Microsoft buying Nokia phone biz to spruce phone OS and enter devices segment.
Android smartphone operating systems (OS) leads the market with 68.8 percent share in 2012 against Apple iOS’ 18.8 percent. ( Android leads smartphone operating systems (OS) with 69% market share in 2012 )
Android mobile platform has teamed up with The Hershey Company, the brand owners in the United States, for the next release of the platform Android KitKat, the version 4.4 of Google’s mobile operating system.
The earlier expectation was that the Android K will be named Android Key Lime Pie. But Android chose a popular chocolate in the world. K will now be dedicated to Kit Kat brand, Google said.
As part of the U.S. campaign, Kit Kat and Google will offer consumers the chance to win 1,000 Nexus 7 tablets, 150,000 Google Play $5.00 credits and 20,000 coupons for a free 8 ounce bag of Kit Kat Minis.
To enter the promotion, consumers should look for a code inside the wrapper of specially marked Kit Kat 1.5 oz bars where they will need to visit android.com/kitkat for their chance to win. The promotion will run between September 6, 2013 and January 31, 2014.
The brand is also launching a Kit Kat USA Facebook page (facebook.com/KitKatUSA) and a Kit Kat USA Google+ page (google.com/+kitkatusa) to connect with Kit Kat U.S. fans and keep them up-to-date on the latest details of the Android KitKat campaign. A giant statue of the Android made out of the iconic Kit Kat bars will reside at Hershey’s headquarters in Hershey, PA.
Google has a global partnership with Nestle for this purpose. To mark the release of the Android KitKat, Google Android will open more than 50 million specially branded Kit Kat bars in 19 countries, including Australia, Brazil, Germany, India, Japan, Middle East, Russia, and the United States.
