Nexus 5
Nexus 5Screenshot from Google website

Amid speculations on the release date of Google's upcoming new software dubbed as Android L, report has emerged that its build LRW87D was spotted running on Hammerhead device or the Nexus 5.

According to Myce, Android L build LRW87D was found in a bug report on crashing videos issue. Google's Chromium issue tracker, known for leakage of information in the past, spotted it running on the Nexus 5 device. 

The publication claimed that LRW87D is the build code of the new software with the first letter "L" likely to stand for Lemon Meringue Pie, the second letter for branch code, and the following three characters –"W87"- for date code.

"The letter counts quarters, with A being Q1 2009. Therefore, W is Q3 2014. The two digits count days within the quarter, so W50 is September 25th 2014. Finally, the last letter identifies individual versions related to the same date code, sequentially starting with A. So D is the fourth version of that day," said the publication in its report.

However, it went on to say that Google has stated in its website that the date code doesn't guarantee "the exact date at which a build was made."

Meanwhile, there has been debate over what the letter "L" could stand for with reports suggesting several names like Lion, Lollipop, Licorice and Lemon Meringue Pie. But Google gave a strong hint that the letter could stand for Lollipop by posting an animated GIF with a cake topped with lollipops on its 16th birthday, reported Tech Radar

The new software, which was announced at the I/O conference, is very likely to be released soon though the exact date is not known. It could be launched along with HTC Nexus 9, which is expected to see the light of the day on 24 October, or the Nexus 6 aka Nexus 6, which is likely to be announced on 31 October, as both the devices are expected to run on the software.

However, Android Authority claimed in a report that the final version of Android L won't officially be available until 1 November despite the release of Google's upcoming devices. 

Android L will come with a redesigned interface and fluid animations, compatible with 64-bit processors and improve battery life. Considered to be Google's biggest update to its mobile platform till date, it is expected to be available for update to several Android phones like Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7, Nexus 10, HTC One, HTC One (M8), Moto G (2nd generation Moto X too likely to get update), Samsung Galaxy S5, Galaxy Note 4 and latest devices from LG.