By
Godfrey Benjamin
April 23rd, 2024
The two important updates for IoT developer platform will enable faster and easier creation of smart connected products.
Google has updated its IoT developer platform for users to develop smart, connected products even easier and faster.
One of the two important innovations announced in the blog post is Developer Preview of Android Things, a possibility to create IoT products using the power of Android, one of the world’s most supported operating systems.
“We incorporated the feedback from Project Brillo to include familiar tools such as Android Studio, the Android Software Development Kit (SDK), Google Play Services, and Google Cloud Platform. And in the coming months, we will provide Developer Preview updates to bring you the infrastructure for securely pushing regular OS patches, security fixes, and your own updates, as well as built-in Weave connectivity and more”, says Google.
Now, any Android developer can use Android APIs and Google services to quickly create a smart device and feel highly secure with updates direct from Google at the same time.
Google already offers some turnkey hardware solutions such as Intel Edison, NXP Pico, and Raspberry Pi 3, to allow developers create real products with Android Things.
The company has also improved the Weave platform enabling all types of devices to easily connect to the cloud and interact with services like the Google Assistant. Developers do not need to invest in cloud services due to Weave’s cloud infrastructure. The platform also includes a Device SDK that currently supports schemas for light bulbs, smart plugs and switches, and thermostats. Support for more device types, custom schemas/traits, and a mobile application API for Android and iOS is expected to be added soon.
Weave is already used by Philips Hue and Samsung SmartThings while several other companies like Belkin WeMo, LiFX, Honeywell, Wink, TP-Link, and First Alert currently implementing it.
Google unveils its plans to merge Weave and Nest Weave to enable all classes of devices to connect with each other in a secure and reliable way. Thus, it is no matter either you start with Google Weave or Nest Weave, it is a path forward in the ecosystem.
Along with two updates for Developer Preview of Android Things, Google has announced that the self-driving car division that was launched eight years ago is now becoming a division of its parent company, Alphabet. It will now operate under the new company name Waymo under the leadership of chief executive John Krafcik, formerly president and chief executive of Hyundai North America.
“Our goal is to transform mobility by making it easier, safer and more enjoyable to get around. We believe that the full potential of self-driving technology will only be delivered when a vehicle can drive itself from place to place at the push of a button, without any human intervention. For example, there are many people who are unable to drive at all who could greatly benefit from fully self-driving cars”, says Google.