Android KitKat Unveiled By Google And Nestle

The new version of Google's operating system is named KitKat as the tech firm puts a giant chocolate statue outside its HQ

Google has named the latest version of its Android mobile operating system after the KitKat chocolate bar.

The company has a history of naming software after confectionery and desserts - previous versions include Ice Cream Sandwich, Gingerbread and Jelly Bean.

Android software is the world's biggest mobile operating system, driving more than a billion tablets and smart phones, according to Google.

The news is a surprise to some technology watchers as the company had previously indicated that version 4.4 - expected in October - would go by the generic name Key Lime Pie.

A giant Android figure made from KitKats has now joined the Gingerbread and Jelly Bean 'statues' outside Google's California headquarters.

Sundar Pichai, head of Android, tweeted a picture of the creation.

"We now have over 1 Billion Android activations and hope this guy in front of the building keeps that momentum going," said Pichai.

Some 1.5 million Android devices are activated every day, Google's chief executive Larry Page said last month.

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