Google presents Android Things operating system for iot devices

Google comes with an operating system for iot devices. Android Things should replace the existing Brillo and especially come into its own on larger smart devices, such as refrigerators, printers and locks.

Android Things is an evolution of the existing Brillo-os, which is also intended for iot devices. Android Things should be an improvement, as developers can build applications using well-known Android tools such as Android Studio, the Google Cloud Platform, Google Play Services, and the Android SDK. In addition, Google keeps the operating system up to date with patches and security updates.

Weave, the communication layer for iot devices that should make it possible for them to communicate with other Android devices, is also getting an update. Currently it supports data transfer for lamps, thermostats and smart sockets and light switches, but in the near future support for all kinds of other devices and types of information will be added.

In addition, Google is merging Nest Weave, the protocol Nest devices use to communicate with Android devices, with Weave. Weave now aims to allow Android Things to communicate with other devices and services, including those running on iOS. Philips Hue products and Samsung SmartThings already work with Weave. Belkin WeMo, LiFX, Honeywell, Wink, TP-Link and First Alert are working on smart home products that support Weave.

According to Google, developers can get started right away with the Intel Edison, NXP Pico and Raspberry Pi 3, all of which work with Android Things. In the announcement post, Google listed some sources of documentation at the end.