Before last week’s Google I/O, rumors were almost certain that we would see a new version of Android announced. In case you haven’t heard, we didn’t get one. Nothing.

Although, during the conference, Google wasn’t prude about dropping some clues/hints about the next Android release during certain developer sessions. The image above was taken from a video during one of the developer presentations and looks to show our little Android eating some Key Lime Pie. 

According to a Samsung insider, the OEM is currently making plans to upgrade certain devices to the upcoming Android 5.0 operating system. From what was reported, it looks like the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy S4 can expect to see it, as well as the Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy Tab 10.1, and Galaxy Note 8.0. Android 5.0, which is rumored to be named Key Lime Pie, should be unveiled at this year’s Google I/O event in May. 

Before this year’s CES kicked off, there were a few in the industry that had their money on LG announcing the successor to the device that brought them back into the spotlight, the Optimus G. With CES now well over, it’s time for the new reports to start flying in as to when we can expect to see LG’s next flagship device. 

Manu Cornet, a Googler and cartoonist, drew the picture above on November 30, a representation of the evolution of Android. The drawing starts with Cupcake, moves onto Donut then Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich,and Jelly Bean. It’s cute, right? Check out the last drawing. That looks to me like Bugdroid eating a slice of Key Lime Pie, the oft-rumored name of the next version of Android.

Is this a confirmation of the name? Might be. Might not be, either. But since it’s from a Google employee, we certainly thought it was worth sharing.

Via:  +Manu Cornet | Phandroid

Matias Duarte coming to Google to head up Android’s user interface was a huge acquisition for all us Android fanboys. Not only has he helped Android to grow up and into its own, but he has influenced many things about the OS since he arrived to help with Ice Cream Sandwich. His former job at Palm has never been more evident before today with Google’s new Charging Orb for the Nexus 4, which looks eerily similar to the Touchstone Charger.

Using the Qi charging standard, Google has created a half-orb that magnetizes to the back of the Nexus 4 for easy charging by just setting your phone on it. The new feature in Android 4.2 named “Daydream” will be activated when set on this dock and the phone will display information from Google Currents and Google Now. There has been absolutely no word on pricing or availability for this accessory but if you’re like us, you are waiting impatiently until it is announced.

Ready to move to wireless charging yet with your Nexus 4?

Via: The Verge

If you caught the first episode of The Droid Life Show last week, then you would have heard the first mention of a rumored Motorola phone called the RAZR X. We first dropped this name on the world in our show, and sure enough, it has appeared again today in a leak of what is being reported as an Android update timeline for Moto engineers. While this purported leak doesn’t talk specs or any of the goodies that we were told, it does bring up a couple of other things that may pique your interest. Before we dive into it though, take it lightly, as there is no proof whatsoever that this is real. Take this as nothing more than a conversation starter.

There is a mention of a Motorola Nexus. After that, the leak goes into potential time frames for Android 4.2.2 (“Key Lime Pie“) updates to rollout to a variety of devices. See, I told you this would be interesting.

Is Google looking to introduce a second notification menu in Android 4.2 that will contain quick settings? According to the video below, purportedly from from an LG Nexus 4 running Android 4.2, the build has a second pulldown menu with a placeholder image that reads “Future Site of Quick Settings.” Yep, it’s the picture you are seeing above.

To access it, you will have to swipe down your main notification menu, followed by a second swipe down from your notification bar. The quick settings menu should then overlap your main notifications menu, giving you access to toggles for WiFi, Bluetooth, Airplane mode, etc. It’s actually a brilliant idea, but as you’ll see in the video, there are no quick settings there yet, just the placeholder image. 

Before we start, let’s get one thing straight – we don’t even know that Jelly Bean is officially official yet for the version of Android to follow Ice Cream Sandwich. Google hasn’t called it that nor have we seen it appear on a device with that as the name. The chances of it ending up as Jelly Bean are probably pretty high, but again, we probably won’t know for sure until Google I/O in June. With that said, this weekend, a report from the folks at The Verge surfaced suggesting that “Key Lime Pie” will follow Jelly Bean in the Android naming scheme.

The only thing I can think to say about this, is how silly it is that we are talking about it. And I say “silly” because Google is releasing major updates to Android on an almost yearly basis these days, with the next big one (probably Jelly Bean) likely not arriving until the end of this year. Key Lime Pie would then be its follow-up in 2013, meaning we may be 2 years away from ever seeing a hint at it. The naming convention for Android is part of the fun though, so we’ll continue to talk about possibilities.

Personally, I liked Kugel. Other suggestions or is Key Lime Pie your favorite?

Via:  The Verge

Cheers Nadeem and Alex!