Popcorn

Popcorn is a snack made from corn kernels that burst open almost instantly under heat. In the AI industry, models or features that don't yet have an official name are often given a friendly, everyday nickname like this as a placeholder, and 'Popcorn' is one such codename.

Codenames tend to surface first through leaks or rumors, inside or outside the company. Before an official launch, there's usually no confirmed information about what the feature actually does or how large or fast the model is, so it's hard to judge capability or purpose from the codename alone.

So when a codename like this shows up in an article, it's safest to read it as a sign that the project is still under wraps. Until an official announcement comes out, judgments should be based on confirmed facts rather than whatever impression the name gives off.