• by Laurie Sullivan  @lauriesullivan, September 3, 2013

Google plans to call the next version of its Android operating system KitKat, and in a partnership with the candymaker Nestle, the two will promote the products.

The Android 4.4 mascot made out of KitKat bars will tie to a promotion that allows consumers to win Google Play App store credits and Google Nexus tablets through codes printed inside a select number of KitKat candy wrappers.

More than 50 million branded chocolate bars will become available in 19 markets, including the U.S., UK, Canada and the Middle East, according to Nestle. The company also will make a limited number of robot-shaped bars.

A landing page explains the reasoning behind the name for the version of the Android 4.4 operating system -- KitKat. "Since these devices make our lives so sweet, each Android version is named after a dessert: Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich, and Jelly Bean."

Since most people love chocolate, Google decided to name the next version of Android after one of the company's favorite chocolate treats. The promotion begins Sept. 6.

Earlier Tuesday, Android chief Sundar Pichai sent a Twitter tweet and posted on Google Plus that Android had hit 1 billion activations.

"KitKat is one of the world’s top ten fast-moving consumer goods brands in social media in terms of fan numbers and engagement," said Patrice Bula, Nestle's head of marketing, in a prepared statement. "We continue to build on its strong digital presence with interactive, creative branding campaigns."