Google doesn't know what to call the next version of Android (GOOG, GOOGL)

Jan Pecek/Flickr

Today, Google announced that it's actually having a hard time finding a suitable dessert name for the forthcoming "Android N" operating system.

And so, the search giant is inviting the world to submit their ideas for Google's consideration. 

Android N is slated to release later in 2016, in the summer or fall, Google says. Today, it made a new beta edition available to Android app developers, so they can get their footing.

But before Android N releases out into the real world, it needs a proper name, based on a popular dessert with the same initial: The previous Android was called Android Marshmallow, and before that, it was Android Lollipop. 

It's a big deal. Each new Android release gets a new statue on the lawn of the Googleplex, themed to the dessert.

Still, the boilerplate for the contest confirms that there's no prize for the winner. Indeed, it looks like there won't even be a poll: Google is looking for ideas; there are almost definitely going to be multiple people submitting the same "N" name.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai actually hinted at this in December 2015, saying during a visit to India that the search giant might put it up to a poll. Back in March 2016, Android boss Hiroshi Lockheimer had indicated that Google was leaning towards a "nut" name.

I'm sure Google means well, but if the "Boaty McBoatface" phenomenon is any indication, people will probably not take Google's request for an Android name terribly seriously. 

Meanwhile, here are some ideas, just off the top of my head: "Nougat," "Nutella," "Nutritious Well-Balanced Breakfast." 

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