“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet” is a frequently referenced part of William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet, but I wonder what Juliet would name the new Android N. This is a problem that Google apparently is having themselves, otherwise why would they be so foolish as to ask the masses what they should name it. In Google’s defense, they did ask for a “dessert name.” However, did they really believe that social media would be kind to them? Rather than ask for suggestions at today’s I/O event, Google should have already had a name to give us. End of problem.
There are times to have a celebration and ask others to select a name for your product (or newborn baby) – the majority can win, and everybody had a great time at possibly having a part in naming the next generation Android OS. However, there are other times when discretion is the better part of valor – a proverb that means it is better to avoid a dangerous situation than to confront it. The situation Google faced in naming their next ‘N’ dessert would require the latter solution.
There was a flare up on the social media sites that was, for a lack of a better word, tasteless. Did Google really think that a bunch of millennials with smartphones in their hands and a smart-mouth on their body would not cause trouble? Some threw out insulting remarks, and some said “Nothing,” others refused to answer. There were a few legitimate answers – Android Nerds, and Android Nope (although that does not fall under the dessert category) and Android Nutella, which may end up being the best answer.
Google has gone through the alphabet each time it brings out a new rendition on the Android OS. Google has never tried to take themselves too seriously by always naming their OS a sweet of some sort – Donut, Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich, Jelly Bean, KitKat, Lollipop, and Marshmallow. Google will have their work cut out for them, as there are not many desserts or sweets to fit the request. Nutella seems to be the most popular name and one that Google hinted at, but there is always Android Nougat, and Nestle Crunch sounds okay by itself, but when paired with Android Nestle Crunch – not so good. My vote would go to Napoleon – an excellent dessert with a classic sound to it. Whatever it will be, Google may want to consider rescinding their offer to the outside world – it’s just too cruel at times.