Android’s Newest Version Is Now Called Nougat

The latest version of Android OS, formerly known as Android N, will now be called Android Nougat, Google announced today.

Nougat is expected to be released later on in the summer, and is the next addition in a long line of Android versions named after desserts.

The new version was originally announced in March of this year, and is reportedly going to offer a variety of new features, such as a redesigned notification shade and settings menu, split-screen multitasking, and customizable keyboard themes, according to The Verge.

Other features include a new JIT compiler that Google promises will increase battery life and reduce app installing times. Nougat is also expected to have Daydream, Google’s new virtual reality platform, built in, according to Pocket-Lint.

Google recently held a contest that collected user suggestions for the new name — although Google said it would retain the final say. Nougat was an obvious choice to many, but it was far from the most popular, PhoneArena wrote.

The newest version is on its second developer beta build, and initial hands-on testing with the software has been positive, according to KnowYourMobile.

Nougat is expected to be previewed at Google I/O later this summer. There’s currently no firm word on when exactly the final version will be released, but sources indicate that a launch in September or August is likely, KnowYourMobile said.