Android O latest rumours - name, release date and features

Android O is Coming soon

Google has done it again, releasing the Developer Preview of its next Android operating system ahead of its annual Google I/O developer's conference - exciting news for the increasing number of Android users across the globe.

According to new research from StatCounter, Android is now the world's number-one operating system for getting online, ahead of both Windows and iOS. In March 2017 it had 39.93 percent market share, versus Windows' 37.91 percent.

The first build of Android O offers insight into what's coming next to the mobile OS. However, you won't find the update on the Android Beta site.

The first build is available for Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus Player, Pixel C, Pixel and Pixel XL, but must be manually flashed onto a device and is not intended for consumer use. Also see: How to download Android O

The final version of Android N was released in August 2016 as Android Nougat, and we're looking at a similar time frame in 2017 for the release of Android O, for which we will hear more details at Google I/O on 17 May.

Read on for more information on what we know about Android O so far.

What will the next Android OS be called?

Following Android Alpha and Android Beta, Google has always named its Android OS updates after sweet treats, and in alphabetical order. So far we've had Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich, Jelly Bean, KitKat, Lollipop, Marshmallow and Nougat.

In 2017 Google will be looking for a sweet treat beginning with O. Trouble is, there really aren't that many. The Tech Advisor team could come up with Oreo, Orange, Oatcake and Oh! Henry (the latter obviously being our favourite, given this). It could even shake things up entirely and shock us all with something like Android OMG. (We're joking, but we kind of like it.)

Google's Hiroshi Lockheimer has been stirring things up on Twitter, seemingly suggesting Android Oreo is the most likely candidate. But is he pulling our leg? Quite possibly, given he has also tweeted an image of Pocky (chocolate cream covered biscuit sticks) with the caption #2018. Also see: Essential Android apps and Best Android games