diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index 38f8e886..3af205cb 100644
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-dev
+2.9.0rc1
diff --git a/framework/src/org/apache/cordova/Device.java b/framework/src/org/apache/cordova/Device.java
index b1cb2bb8..79ea04fb 100644
--- a/framework/src/org/apache/cordova/Device.java
+++ b/framework/src/org/apache/cordova/Device.java
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ import android.telephony.TelephonyManager;
 public class Device extends CordovaPlugin {
     public static final String TAG = "Device";
 
-    public static String cordovaVersion = "dev";              // Cordova version
+    public static String cordovaVersion = "2.9.0rc1";              // Cordova version
     public static String platform = "Android";                  // Device OS
     public static String uuid;                                  // Device UUID