Google working to release IoT Operating System at I/O 2015. Google announced that their latest Brillo and Weave IoT operating system will be up, running, and available in Q4 of 2015 at the I/O 2015 May 28-29. Their new plan included updates for the Android M, but just how groundbreaking with these releases be for the future of IoT? (via google)
At the I/O 2015 in May, Google unleashed some big news of their plans to create a new operating system designed specifically for the Internet of Things. The also announced the creation of a communications standard to go with it, called Weave. While some developers can already try and get their hands on the Brillo IoT operating system by visiting Google's 'Project Brillo' site (https://developers.google.com/brillo/), we will all have to wait for Weave to be released within Q4 of 2015.
Details on Weave and Brillo are still rather sparse since the projects are still in their infancy, but Google certainly seems to have the resources and gusto to make these the new standard for all IoT devices. Their new plan seems to involve getting manufacturers of IoT devices, including everything from smart home gadgets to farming equipment, to have Brillo and Weave pre-installed and ready to integrate with your mobile device and computer.
If this plan pans out, it seems like Google may have cracked the code on how to create a new architecture for IoT devices that will actually work straight out of the box. However, we will have to wait a bit longer to see these applications in practice. There is no word yet about whether or not Google has solid plans with manufacturers to release Brillo in the latest tech, but Nest did have input into Brillo's creation.
Brillo is touted as a 'scrubbed down' version of the Android OS, since it is meant to run on just about any battery powered, connected device. It currently supports WiFi, Bluetooth, and (potentially) wireless radio protocols including Thread. Weave is meant to pair seamlessly with Brillo as a standard computing language, or protocol that can allow developers to easily pair cloud-based devices. Weave is supposed to be cross-platform, although there is no word yet on how and what the compatibility will be with existing IoT systems.
For now, what is known is that any IoT devices running both Brillo and Weave will be able to automatically communicate with any Android device. Hence, the duo will enable similar functionalities to Apple's HomeKit. For now, it seems like Brillo and Weave will be a new play-thing for all tinkerers and makers to add into their toolkit. Potentially, if Google's plan to take over IoT works, then Brillo and Weave will become the new standard OS and communications protocol for all new IoT devices. If this happens, I suppose we'll all have to get an Android phone too... and thus the plan becomes more diabolical.
While Brillo and Weave were the main highlights of this year's I/O 2015, Google also made some new adjustments to Android M, their mobile operating system. While bloggers and tech-heads expected new revelations in this new release, most were entirely underwhelmed. The new release is almost exactly like the previous one, except for a few adjustments that lower the battery consumption (allowing a longer battery life – theoretically), and that simplify app permissions. They also added new fingerprint API that basically fixes the poor, buggy experience of most users. Finally, they added Android Pay capabilities. Hence, the new fixes are either bug fixes, or new capabilities that allow Android phone users to do what iPhone users have been doing for the past 2 years.
Is Google taking over IoT? Right now, we will have to wait to see who jumps on the Brillo/Weave bandwagon. For now, Google certainly has their sights set high.
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