After Chennai-born Sundar Pichai was named CEO of Google in August, some speculated the next version of Android might be named for an Indian sweet rather than a more Western-style treat like Jellybean, KitKat or Lollipop. Instead, the latest release — which rolled out in early October — was named Marshmallow.
But Google might take a new direction with the next version, Android N, Pichai (pictured) said Thursday during a brief visit to India. While meeting with students at Delhi University’s Shri Ram College of Commerce, Pichai responded to one video question with the suggestion that the next version of Android might be named with the help of an online poll.
When asked why Android hasn’t yet been named for an Indian sweet, Pichai said, “Maybe we’ll do an online poll on what the name should be and if all Indians vote, I think we can make it happen.”
Nougat or Neyyapam?
With the OS expected to come out sometime next year, Android N’s codename has already been the subject of considerable speculation. For instance, redditors on the Android subreddit have been posting suggestions — ranging from Nutella or Nougat to Nerds or ‘Nilla — for several months.
A number of posters agreed that Android N would have a generic rather than trademarked name, possibly “Nougat.”
“This seems the most likely to me,” user DryZebra noted in August. “After KitKat it seems they’re sticking with non trademarked goods. And there’s not many I can think of for ‘N.'”
N names for sweets are certainly in shorter supply than for some other letters. Even for Indian desserts, the choices are limited, although some possibilities include narkel naru (made with coconut and cardamom) or neyyapam, a rice flour and jaggery (cane sugar) treat.
Open to Suggestions
After the video questioner on Thursday asked, “Why do we still not have Indian desserts as Android names?” Pichai laughed and responded, “When I meet my Mom I’ll ask her for suggestions.”
After adding the possibility of an online naming poll, Pichai then confessed that he never cared for sweets when he was young, although he enjoys them now. In fact, he recalled once adding sambar (a lentil dish) to the rice pudding dessert payasam “so it didn’t taste that sweet.”
During Thursday’s appearance at Delhi University, Pichai also fielded a number of questions about how to become a success in the tech industry and whether Indian professionals need to jump-start their careers by first going to the U.S. (His answer: no.)
He observed that India’s current tech and entrepreneurial strengths are helping people to overcome old stereotypes. He recounted an encounter with one Indian-American who told him, “Thank you on behalf of all Indian-Americans for not being a doctor.”
