Android N to be called Namey McNameface, Google jokingly confirms

The next major version of Android, Android N, still doesn't have a name, but (based on all previous versions' names) we know the "N" will stand for some sort of sweet treat, right?

Not so fast. In the latest developer preview version of Android N, released Wednesday, an Easter egg implies the Android naming scheme is about to take a dramatic turn. Android Authority noticed that if you repeatedly tap on Android version option, located in Settings — About phone, you'll see a big letter N, with a sign on it: Namey McNameface. 

The name is a throwback to Boaty McBoatface, the name the public has chosen for a British $200 million research vessel in April. In the end, the ship was called Sir David Attenborough, but at least the ship's remotely operated undersea vehicle got the popular choice moniker. 

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Tim Schofield @qbking77

Namey McNameface added to the Android N Easter egg!

11:25 PM - 15 Jun 2016

 
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Now, we don't really believe Google would have the audacity to call the next version of its mobile operating system "Namey McNameface." OK, strike that, we absolutely do believe it, but we still think it won't happen as Google is too much in love with its sweets-obsessed naming scheme. 

It's OK to dream, though.

Android N is slated to arrive in August or September, bringing a split-screen mode, seamless OTA updates, launcher shortcuts, new emoji, a data-saving mode and upgrades to Android's Doze power-saving feature. If you're brave (and have a compatible device), you can try out the latest developer preview version here.

Xperia Z3 gets Android N preview before Nexus 5

The introduction of Android N to an Xperia Z3 could hint towards the revival of Google Play edition of devices (Sony)

The Sony Xperia loyalists finally have something to cheer for as Google’s latest Android N preview is made available on the Z3. While older Google devices like the Nexus 5 are still waiting for a build of Android N, Sony has pulled a fast one by making it possible for a non-Nexus device owner to try out the latest version of Android with the help of their PC companion.

Android N developer preview looks and feels a lot like Android Marshmallow and Lollipop because of the material design language, but brings a host of enhancements like clear all button in the task switcher. For power users, it offers split screen mode in portrait and landscape orientations for great multi-tasking. While similar feature is already available on iOS, it only works on the larger iPads.

The introduction of Android N to Xperia Z3 could hint towards the revival of Google Play edition of devices, where alternative versions of a smartphone is launched with stock Android and first-hand access to the latest updates. This was a strategy used by Google till January 2015, but didn’t work because stock Android wasn’t ready to take on the enhanced versions from the likes of Samsung or Xperia.