Most people were expecting Android 4.4 - the next significant update to the Google mobile OS - to be called Key Lime Pie. However, in an unexpected announcement, Google executives have settled on a pre-existing brand name by dubbing the new version KitKat.

Although the actual name announcement has surprised most commentators, it does nonetheless follow in the tradition of naming Android updates after desserts and treats. Starting with version 1.5 - aka Cupcake - the names have followed an alphabetical naming pattern: Donut, Eclair, FroYo (frozen yogurt), Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich and current release Jelly Bean.

Android representative John Lagerling has told BBC “this is not a money-changing-hands sort of deal”, insisting the two brands simply wanted to do something “unexpected”.

The forthcoming software launch - details of which are still under wraps - will be accompanied by a promotional campaign through Kit Kat products. The chocolate bars will be labelled with the familiar green Android mascot, and Android hardware and Google Store credit will be given out as prizes with some random bars.

Critics have already warned such team-ups can pose a risk to both companies, as they will both experience the negative associations of the other brand as well as the positives - and both Nestlé and Google have experienced their fair share of controversies.

The announcement was made alongside surprise unveiling of a giant Android KitKat statue at Google HQ that is said to have even caught a majority of Google employees by surprise: so much so that some reports are suggesting a new, unannounced model of Google’s Nexus phone was accidentally spotted in the hands of one staff member when a video of the unveiling was uploaded to YouTube. The video has since been taken down by Google.

You can watch one of the videos announcing the collaboration below:

(Image: Google / Android)