Google's new Android version is called Nougat

Google's version 7.0 of Android will be called Nougat, in a continuation of the company's tradition of naming its mobile operating system after sweets.

Formerly codenamed Android N, Nougat was released as a developer preview in March this year. Speculation at the time suggested it would be called Nutella, a brand name registered by the multinational Ferrero Group in Italy.

Nougat will debut several new features, including split screen support for improved multitasking, similar to Apple's iOS operating system. Others include improved battery life, secure "direct boot" that encrypts both storage and user credentials areas, the ability to better control data usage, and restrictions to background app broadcasts.

The internet behemoth crowdsourced the Nougat name with a public poll.

Android 7.0 is expected to be released in the third quarter of this year for Nexus devices. Google has not specified an exact date.