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For the first time in a decade, the latest version of Android isn't named after a dessert

Google Pixel 3a XL
The Pixel 3a, which runs on Android. Hollis Johnson/Business Insider
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Google is making a major change to its widely used, beloved operating system: The next version of Android won't feature a dessert-centric name.

Instead, the next version of Android is simply named "Android 10." 

It's a lot less exciting, no doubt, but there's a pretty great reason for changing it: Android is a globally used operating system, and English isn't spoken everywhere.

Android 10
Google

"We've heard feedback over the years that the names weren't always understood by everyone in the global community," the announcement says. "For example, L and R are not distinguishable when spoken in some languages. So when some people heard us say Android Lollipop out loud, it wasn't intuitively clear that it referred to the version after KitKat."

That's a pretty strong argument for changing the tradition of naming Android after various sweets in alphabetical order. 

A look through the full list of Android names reveals how it could be difficult to decipher these somewhat obscure words when English isn't your first language:

It's quite a list!

Beyond the naming convention change, Google is also subtly altering the branding for Android. If that's your kinda thing, you can check out a video on the subject right here:

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Ben was a senior correspondent based in New York City. He specialized in coverage of video games, consumer technology, food, and culture.He has a BA in magazine journalism from Temple University. He wrote for the Philly Weekly and served as a senior reporter at Joystiq before joining Engadget as a senior editor in 2012.Ben joined Tech Insider as a member of the founding staff in April 2015 and transitioned to Insider in July 2016. He doesn't like writing in the third person.