Google stops Android Things

Google stops with the smart home platform Android Things. The company did little more with the project, which started under the name Brillo in 2015. As of January 5, users will no longer be able to create new projects.

Google says in a faq that it is discontinuing the Android Things Console for non-commercial purposes. Starting January 5, 2021, it will no longer be possible to create new projects via the console. Existing projects can be used for up to a year after that. On January 5, 2022, the console will shut down completely and apps on it will be removed. Until then, users can manage projects and download factory images. They can also continue to use the console to perform OTA updates for their software.

According to Google, “the Android Things Console may receive bug fixes and performance improvements for a limited period of time,” but the company does not provide details. Google has stopped providing security updates for developer Systems-on-Modules since August 2019. The company is also no longer going to add support for new hardware. Android Things therefore only remains usable on the Raspberry Pi 3B and the NXP i.MX7D.

Android Things started in 2015 under the name Brillo. Later, Brillo was renamed Android Things. It’s a modified version of the phone operating system that was intended for iot devices, but the project never really took off. This was partly because Android turned out to be too heavy a platform for IoT devices that have less powerful hardware. Google also later gave more attention to the Works With Nest program, and to its own hardware such as Google Cast. In February 2019, Google already said that it would rather work directly with other companies on IoT equipment than continue with Android Things.