Android M: It's marshmallow, not malai barfi

Version number is 6.0, to be released on new Nexus devices

After months of speculation, Google revealed what ‘Android M’, it’s latest operating system for mobiles, really stood for: Marshmallow. Continuing its series of nomenclature based on sweets, Google’s Android version 6.0 has been named for the chewey sugary-treat that typically makes its appearance in campfire scenes in movies (and as an unlikely giant monster in Ghostbusters).

The name was revealed on Android developers’ blog and became the eleventh sweet-based Android name after Cup Cake, Donut, Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice-cream Sandwich, Jellybean, KitKat and Lollipop.  

Sadly for Indian Android fans and sweet lovers, the names of items like Malai Barfi and Malpua, which were among the several contenders for the title, lost out to Marshmallow, according to a report in Firstpost.com.  

Marshmallow’s predecessor Lollipop had covered Android versions 5 to 5.1.1. Verge confirmed that Google’s official version number for Marshmallow would be 6.0 and not 5.2, as had been earlier rumoured.  The report also said that Google is working on two new Nexus smartphones that will be used to showcase Android 6.0.

The company has also launched the finished version of Android 6.0 SDK and a third preview of the new Marshmallow that can be loaded on to Nexus devices.