Android Things: Google Announces New Android-based OS For IoT Devices

Short Bytes: Google has announced the developer preview of a new Android-based platform for IoT devices called Android Things. It comes with different tools like Android SDK, Android Studio, Google Play Services, etc. The interested users can go ahead and grab the Developer Preview from Google’s website.

Android Things is a new platform that Google has created to propel the development of IoT (Internet of Things) devices using Google Services and Android APIs. Google has also announced the developer preview of this comprehensive IoT platform.

Android Things pairs with Google existing pack of operating systems – including Android Wear, Android Auto, and Android TV – intended for different devices category.

As a stripped-down Android for IoT devices, Android Things is built upon the roots of another Android-based OS Project Brillo, which was released last year. It includes various Google-made developer tools like Android SDK, Android Studio, Google Play services, and Google Cloud services.

Android Things — An Android for IoT

Google is working on to help the developers with required infrastructure in the form of Developer Preview Updates. It will allow OS patches, security fixes, and developer-made updates to be pushed to Google’s operating system.

Also, the developers would be able to leverage various hardware solutions including Raspberry Pi 3, Intel Edison, and NXP Pico to create their own products, with an advantage of creating them at a large scale.

The announcement doesn’t stop here. Google has also updated Weave, their communications platform for IoT devices launched parallel with Brillo. Weave will now be combined with Nest Weave – created by Nest Labs, an Alphabet subsidiary. It is a part of the company’s strategy to reduce similar platforms by combining them and making the development process streamlined.

Google says that various companies like Belkin Wemo, Honeywell, TP-Link, Wink, LiFX, etc. have shown interest the Weave platform as it provides the cloud infrastructure enabling different kinds of devices to easily connect to Google Assistant and talk to other devices.

Weave update also includes Device SDK which provides inbuilt support for light bulbs, smart plugs, thermostats, smart switches, etc. Support for more devices will be added in the coming months.

You can visit Google’s website to grab the Developer Preview of Android Things.

Also Read: Google Has Killed The Plans To Make Its Own Self-driving Car: Report