Google Chooses Kit Kat as Latest Android ‘Flavor’

Using sweet treats as codenames for its major Android platforms since its inception, Google has teamed up with The Hershey Co. to launch its latest platform – Kit Kat – as the name of its latest version of the Android mobile operating system.

"We couldn't imagine a better name for our Android K release than the chocolate treat that's been a favorite go-to snack among the team since the early days of Android," said Marc Vanlerberghe, director of Android marketing.

Android KitKat is version 4.4 of Google's mobile operating system, developed by engineers of the world's most popular mobile platform company under sweet-themed codenames that began with Android Cupcake 1.5 in 2009. The codenames have continued alphabetically, including Android Jelly Bean 4.3, released earlier this year.

The news that the letter K is dedicated to the iconic Kit Kat brand came as a surprise to many technology pundits who expected the latest version to be named “Android Key Lime Pie,” or a variation thereof.

"We are proud and excited to have one of the world's leading mobile innovators pair up with one of America's favorite chocolate brands," said Jennifer Podhajsky, VP of U.S. Chocolate for The Hershey Co. "Google's choice to name their next Android platform release Kit Kat brings together two well-known icons from pop culture and technology and gives the classic jingle of 'Gimme a Break' a whole new meaning in the tech world."

This news complements the recent launch of The Hershey Co.’s new Kit Kat Minis that represents the latest innovation in confectionery and on-the-go snacks. The product is the result of many months of research and development by Hershey engineers to miniaturize one of the world's most popular candy bars without compromising the popular taste, texture and shape of the light crispy Kit Kat wafers covered in smooth milk chocolate.

As part of the U.S. campaign, Kit Kat brand and Google will offer consumers the chance to win 1,000 Nexus 7 tablets, 150,000 Google Play $5 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-ounce bars and visit android.com/kitkat for their chance to win. The promotion will run between Sept. 6, 2013 and Jan. 31, 2014.

To celebrate the announcement, the brand is reinforcing the launch with a Kit Kat USA Facebook page and a Kit Kat USA Google+page 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.

The Google announcement is part of a larger global partnership with Nestle. The Hershey Co. is a license-holder of the Kit Kat trademark in the United States, where it manufactures and sells the Kit Kat brand. To mark the release of the Android KitKat, more than 50 million specially branded Kit Kat bars will be available in 19 countries, including Australia, Brazil, Germany, India, Japan, Middle East, Russia and the United States.