Launch Android and Today: Need to know Oreo name, livestream and other things
Google will finally announce the name of Android O during a livestime later today. The software giant is expected to launch the final update roll out for Pixel devices, Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X and Pixel C tablets.
The next iteration of Android and Google’s mobile operating system will be unveiled today. The announcement will be seen along the U.S. coastline, coinciding with a total solar eclipse, and Google is streaming the announcement live starting at 2.40PM ET. The search giant has started a countdown to the live event on the Android website.
The live stream, scheduled to start at 12.10am Indian time on August 22 in India, will finally release the official name of the next version of the Android software release. In a Google+ post announcing the Android O eclipse teaser, Google also inadvertently revealed the final name. Android police have observed that the video attached to the Google+ post is called “GoogleOreo_Teaser_0817_noDroids (1) .mp4” which suggests naming Android 8.0 as Oreo.
Google has since dropped the video, but it strongly suggests that the name has been finalized by the company. Like any Android version of the past, the search giant has launched numerous mind games related to the final name. Android O’s names have so far included Orio, Oatmeal Cookie, Octopus and Orangina and Google’s SVP for Platform and Ecosystem as potential candidates, while Hiroshi Lockheimer has also teased Orange Sherbet and Olive Oil as potential but unlikely candidates.
#AndroidO? 8.O, O, O, O, O, O, O or O … pic.twitter.com/YvzhCk2DJv
– Hiroshi Lockheimer (lockheimer) August 19, 2017
Google’s Android webpage also has a link to NASA’s live stream reception, which should be the easiest way for non-residents to enjoy the reception. For those who are planning to view the eclipse and photograph the event, be sure to bring along a solar filter.
In terms of features, the Android O may be a growing update compared to the Android Nougat which brings performance improvements. The company has launched Developer Preview 4, the final release before the official launch and the official update is expected to be available for Pixel, Pixel XL, Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X and Pixel C tablets. With Android launching on the day of the adoption, it remains to be seen whether the new version will be able to capture the market share of Nougat and Marshmallow.