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When Google announced Android L back at the I/O conference in June this year, it didn't reveal what the L actually stood for. Given the company's propensity for naming its Android iterations after sweet treats, there were plenty of suggestions, but we might now have a better idea what Android L will become when it finally launches - thanks to the man responsible for building the Android statues outside Google HQ.
Giovanni Calabrese has designed the huge Android sculptures themes around the sweet name of each new version, including a KitKat-shaped figure for Android 4.4 and one filled with jelly beans for Android 4.2. Anyone paying close attention to his Google Plus account will have spotted plenty of hints pointing to Licorice, suggesting Google has settled on a name internally for the new Android release.
"I never had a great liking for Licorice, but damn! There are some great flavours out there.” Calabrese wrote in one post. He had also previously written "Handing out boxes of licorice at the boarding gate. #feellikeoprah #googlebound #googlelawnsculptures,” when travelling to and from Google's Mountain View headquarters.
If true, it would spell an end to the licencing deal with Nestle that saw Android 4.4 named after the famous "have a break..." chocolate bar. There were rumours the deal had been extended to a second version of Android, with Google set to call Android L Lion Bar, although this was questionable seeing as Lion bars aren't actually available in Google's home country. Other names put forward included Lemon Merangue Pie, Lollipop
Of course it's possible Calabrese is throwing us a red herring - we don't know for sure Google has decided on naming Android L Licorice, and will likely only find out when the company makes it official, possibly when it reveals the rumoured Nexus 9 tablet and Nexus 6 smartphone towards the end of the year.
