Android Eclair OS imminent – and here’s tasty proof

Version 2.0 of Google’s smartphone platform due for debut soon.

It’s rare that we get to legitimately write about giant model desserts, but Google has confirmed the imminent release of the next version of its Android OS by parking a great big éclair on its lawn.

No, really. Version 2.0 of Android is codenamed Eclair, following Cupcake (1.5) and Donut (1.6). Google has an Android robot located outside its HQ, which was joined by a giant cupcake and then donut just before those versions of the OS became available.

So, the éclair seemingly means v2.0 is almost ready for release. TechCrunch speculates that Motorola will unveil its next Android phone by the end of the month, which will be the first to ship with the new build.

Google hasn’t talked much about what new features to expect from Eclair, while Motorola’s plans beyond its already-announced Cliq/Dext phone remain mysterious.

Only yesterday, Acer was proudly hailing its Liquid smartphone as the first to ship with Android 1.6 on board. It looks like it could be about to be trumped.