You may be wondering why an IT training facility would be writing about Oreos. Well, when we learned the next version of Android will be called Android Oreo, we felt compelled to share some fun facts about the cookie that now has its own operating system version and share some similarities between the two.
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Hydrox was actually the original
Hydrox might seem like an Oreo knock-off, but these cookies actually came first, debuting in 1908—four years before the Oreo. We can hear hearts breaking around the world right now. Sorry, guys.
Little history of Android: Android Inc. was founded in Palo Alto, California, in October 2003 by Andy Rubin, Rich Miner, Nick Sears, and Chris White. Each major operating system release is named in alphabetical order after a dessert or sugary treat, with the first few Android versions being called Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, and Froyo. We are now at Oreo!
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Double-Stuf might be a misnomer
They’re actually only 1.86 times bigger than regular Oreos. You can thank a high school math class in upstate New York for the detective work—though following the revelation, a spokesperson for the cookie insisted they do in fact contain “double the stuff.” Suuuuuure.
Android Oreo will be packing twice the features, with updates to include notifications being snoozed and batched into topic-based groups known as "channels," faster startup times from a powered-off state, new emoji that are included in the Unicode 10 standard, and a new emoji font that rounds out the emojis and takes them away from the blob look of earlier versions. There's so much more, so check out the list of
Oreo features here.
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Oreo O's cereal was a thing
The cereal was launched in 1998 and discontinued in 2007. It’s not totally extinct, though: it's still being produced in South Korea. If so inclined, lend your voice to the ever-growing groundswell of support to bring Oreo O’s back. A quick Google search will show several Oreo O’s support groups.
In similar fashion, Android used to be available on devices with hard keyboards (think Blackberry) but as technology evolved, the physical keyboard died. Like the Oreo O's group, there's still a niche of people who want physical keyboards out there. The good news is, you can find attachments for most major smartphones that act as both a case and provide a slide-out keyboard.
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There's a tool for easy dipping
Those who love to enjoy Oreos dunked in milk should invest in The Dipr. The hook-like utensil is perfectly designed to snugly cup an Oreo cookie, allowing for easy dunking. Or, of course, stick a fork in the cream part. Innovation, folks.
There's a tool for easy charging, too. Android has supported wireless charging for a while now, and Android Oreo is no different. Pick up a base charger at your local electronics store or online retailer and simply place your phone on it at night before you go to bed to wake up to a fully-charged device.
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Pigs hate Oreos
We have the folks over at Ben & Jerry’s to thank for this discovery. When the company started giving its milky water waste to a local pig farmer in 1985, the farmer reported that his hogs loved every flavor except for Mint with Oreo Cookies. Guess every man (and hog) has his limits.
We couldn't find any facts about pigs and Android devices, but we're sure a pig has accidentally chowed down on a dropped smartphone at least once. Keep your Android Oreo close, people!
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They're different in China
While beloved in the United States, Oreos didn’t do so well when they were introduced in China in 1996. Kraft tinkered with the cookie's original recipe, introduced new flavors and shapes, created new ads, and eventually created an Oreo that looks nothing like the one we know, but that the Chinese loved. It's essentially a tube-shaped treat with four layers of crispy wafer and vanilla or chocolate cream filling. The wafer became the best-selling biscuit in China in 2006, and Kraft expanded the treat in Asia, Australia, and Canada.
Similarly, the Android operating systems are put on a variety of smartphones around the world. Some worldwide brands we don't see here in the United States include French smartphone manufacturing company Wiko, Chinese developer Huawei, Japanese mobile phone company Sony, and South Korea's Pantech.
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Oreo cream makes for great art
Artist Tisha Cherry makes incredible tiny pieces of artwork on the canvas of Golden Oreos, using novelty Oreo cookies from over the years for color and a toothpick as her tool. Her Instagram has everything from Oreo-d Frida Kahlo to American Gothic and lots of other food art in between. Neat, huh?
Speaking of art, Android Oreo icons will support visual effects and can be displayed in various shapes on different devices.
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The name is a mystery
Oreo has gone through a few name changes over the years, initially going by “Oreo Biscuits,” then “Oreo Sandwich,” “Oreo Crème Sandwich,” and “Oreo Chocolate Sandwich Cookie” in the 1970s. Oddly, the core name remains a total mystery. The origin of the word “Oreo” might be from the French word for gold, because the packaging in the beginning was gold, but no one knows for sure.
Unlike the original Oreo, the Android operating system comes from a long line of sweet treat names. In 2013, Google explained that: "Since these devices make our lives so sweet, each Android version is named after a dessert."
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They're the world's best-selling cookie
More than 450 billion Oreo cookies have been sold since their debut in 1912. We’re sure Android is looking for the same luck to come from their newest operating system.
Android already has the largest installed base of any mobile operating system and, since 2013, is the highest-selling operating system overall.
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One of the original flavors was lemon meringue
The flavor was discontinued in the 1920s. Since then, Oreo has branched out to a world of other flavors including Creamsicle, Banana Split Cream, Neapolitan, Triple Double, Candy Corn, Coconut Fudge, Gingerbread, Candy Cane, White Fudge Covered, Cookies n’ Creme, Root Beer Float, Watermelon, Marshmallow Crispy, Caramel Apple, Limeade, Pumpkin Spice, Cookie Dough, Red Velvet, Cotton Candy, S’mores, and so many more.
Following the pattern, will the next Android operating system be called Popsicle?
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They have a built-in personality test
The way that you eat an Oreo might say something about your personality. In 2004, Kraft Foods surveyed 2000 Oreo eaters and found that dunkers tend to be energetic, adventurous, and social; twisters are sensitive, emotional, artistic, and trendy; and biters are easy-going, self-confident, and optimistic.
We wish there was an official test done to see the difference in personalities between Android users and iPhone users. We've all seen the memes... we wonder if there's any truth to them?
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They meet certain dietary standards
While no one would recommend Oreos as a diet food, they are considered technically vegan (though there is some cross contact with milk during production, so buyer beware). And while the original recipe called for pig lard, Oreos officially became kosher in 1997.
Unfortunately, Android Oreo is not a food, so it can't be considered vegan or not. We do not recommend ingesting your smartphone.
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Oreo knows how to celebrate its birthday
For its 100th birthday, Oreo rolled out a limited-edition Birthday Cake cookie with cake-flavored filling and sprinkles, along with a massive marketing campaign—just like your friend who insists on a birthday month. You go, Oreo.
Android also has a habit of celebrating large. With each new operating system release, a new lawn statue is erected in honor. Check out the list of
Android statues here.
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There was once a cookie named Big Stuf
In 1984, Big Stuf Oreos landed on the scene and the world was never the same. Big Stufs were about 10 times larger than a regular Oreo. They were discontinued in 1991; the mourning continues to this day. Perhaps more important than the cookie was the advertising campaign. It still lives on YouTube to this day.
