I'm not an Android user, but I always had a passing interest in what the new version would be called.
While going to a numbering scheme like iOS is good for Spock, I just can't get behind yet another example of how the world of technology is becoming more boring and bland compared to the way it used to be. Often, in the name of "internationalization."
Unusual words, or novel uses of existing words, used to be part of the whole intellectual curiosity of the tech sphere.
For example, I learned about Maxwell's Demon[1] because of the Unix daemon. Today it would be called something boring like "system auto-task" that doesn't really do it justice.
It seems like the more corporate technology companies become, the more boring they become. And since tech companies influence so much of the world, they make the real world boring.
Remember when computer keyboards had red and blue and yellow keys? Modifier keys were labeled "meta," "super," and "hyper?"
And it's not just Google. Hey, Apple! Can I get the little Apple logos on my keyboard, and the light up beacon on the back of my laptop again?
Why is there this constant need within tech companies to make their products less special?
I use macOS and only started having that problem after they went to annual releases (or maybe I started making desktop maintenance less of a priority?) even though it does show both Mojave and 10.14 in the About.
Although, I do wish there was more whimsy in tech.
Google: We need to discontinue our naming scheme because Pie isn't a dessert in some countries.
This just seems like a bland corporate decision. Blaming it on cultural sensitivity and inclusivity seems almost insulting. Someone isn't going to refuse to use an Android version just because they're accustomed to savory pies instead of sweet ones.
I think the numbering scheme will be more obvious to the average user that they are behind from latest version of Android and that might add more pressure to OEMs (and carriers) to put more effort into updates.
I think the cultural argument is not the most important one for this decision, the important point is that old naming is confusing to newcomers and customers since Android has a lot of disparities between devices and supported versions[1] whereas Apple can count on a very high rate of adoption for their new versions[2].
It is for sure a marketing move even if it hurts Android users who used to love this naming convention.
[1] https://gs.statcounter.com/os-version-market-share/android/m... [2] https://gs.statcounter.com/os-version-market-share/macos/des...
"Pie" means foot in Spanish and it's pronounced something like "pee eh"
Edit: not sure why I'm being downvoted...
Also, Mexicans use "pay" to refer to a pie (not a foot).
Worse for me than the Android dessert names were, since at least those were ordered.
This really feels like letting the cart lead the horse. Someone will be unhappy with any choice. They could've added secondary designations (included in preferences and packaging) to solve most of the confusion problems.
But this anodyne, sterile style seems to be the best Google can muster these days.
Another example: I've watched their Stadia Connect videos in which they attempt to pitch their upcoming gaming service to the consumers. They too have come across completely sanitized and robotic -- reminds me of corporate entertainment news doing formulaic red carpet interviews.