Android O is releasing on August 21st, countdown goes live

Android 8.0, most commonly known as Android O, has now undergone rigorous testing and four developer previews, so we are now approaching release time. This time around though, Google is not planning to simply take the wraps off a statue. A reveal event, where we’ll get the version name and the final release, is being held in NYC during Monday.

Why Monday?

Photo: hoy.com.do

If you’re American, you’ve probably already heard about the total solar eclipse coming on Monday. This will be the first time that a solar eclipse crosses the entire United States since 1918. As such, it’s logical that many companies are planning publicity stunts around the historical event. One of these is Google, which is planning to finally unveil Android 8.0 during the peak of the eclipse in NY, at 2:40 PM.

We already know everything about it: new functions and features, improvements, OS version number… Only two things are remaining: the version’s dessert codename and the final release.

What dessert is choosing Google this time?

Photo: Conectica

Let’s be frank here, it’s most probably Oreo. It’s true that Google likes to switch things up at the last second (remember Key Lime Pie/KitKat?). But they’re planning something way bigger than a simple statue unveil like they always do. They’re doing the unveiling right during the peak of the eclipse. And Mondelez has previously done Oreo-related events around eclipses (an eclipse looks like an Oreo cookie facing up). So, it wouldn’t be all that surprising to see Android 8.0 Oreo coming out if you think about it.

It also wouldn’t be the first time they’ve used a branded dessert as the codename. Back in 2013, they’ve struck a deal with Nestlé to use KitKat as the Android 4.4 codename. This deal also saw the release of special, Android-branded wafers.

However, it’s all just pure speculation until Monday. As we said before, they could change things up and use other dessert starting with O.  So, take this with a pinch of salt, as it’s just an educated guess.

Final release

Photo: Android Central

The event will obviously conclude with the final, Android 8.0 release. The new version is pretty much confirmed to roll out to the Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Pixel, Pixel XL and Pixel C starting Monday. It will also be open-source: as they always do with a new Android release, the source code will be uploaded to the Android Open Source Project, so that OEMs and ROM developers can tinker with the code and get it working on their devices.

Other phone owners can either wait for their manufacturer to release an Android O roadmap/timeline, or flash a custom ROM as it becomes available.

Are you excited for Android O? You can tune into Android.com’s live stream in 72 hours to know more about the newest (and sweetest) Android release.

Source: Android.com, BGR.in