Google is now developing its new Android operating system, called Brillo, that is aimed at networked devices.
Google has been creating new Android based software, reportedly called Brillo, for Internet of Things (IoT) devices. According to an article on The Information website, the new operating system will run on low-power devices with 64MB or 32MB of RAM, including all types of home appliances like security cameras and refrigerators.
Google is expected to release the technology under the Android brand, as the company is currently producing the software linked to its Android unit. The Information reported that this new software would make it easier for other developers to create various smart home appliances, such as light bulbs, garden monitors and fridges.
The new Brillo software is important for Google, as the company has recently acquired NestLabs, a manufacturer of Wi-Fi-enables and programmable devices, including smoke detectors and thermostats. If the majority of smart home appliances will run on the new operating system, it will enable Google to receive a lot of data about the users of such devices, for example, the time they go to sleep or how often they use the oven.
The software is anticipated to be presented next week at Google’s I/O conference for software developers that will be held in San Francisco. It is still unknown how the technology will look like, but it is unlikely to be complete software with services and applications.
Brillo will run on simple devices that require an operating system, which doesn’t consume much power. “The lower memory requirements for devices running the new software would mark a sharp drop from the latest versions of Android, which are primarily aimed at mobile phones with at least 512 megabytes of memory,” The Information wrote.
In general, the concept of the Internet of Things appeals to many device producers today. A single software for smart home appliances could help producers to solve the problem of compatibility between devices of different brands.
According to the analyst company Gartner, the amount of Internet-connected devices will achieve 26 billion units till 2020, an increase from 900 million units six years ago.
The competitiveness in this filed is steadily rising, as more companies start working on their own software for IoS. Earlier this month, Samsung presented its line of Artik processors that will be aimed at a wide range of devices, from simple trackers to smart-home hubs.
Huawei has recently introduced 10 kilobytes Lite OS designed for smart gadgets. Microsoft has launched its new version of Wnidows 10, dubbed Windows 10 IoT Core, that will run on wearables, ultrasound machines and ATMs.
Polina is an undergraduate student at Belarusian State Economic University (BSEU) where she is studying at the faculty of International Business Communication for a degree specializing in Intercultural Communication. In her spare time she enjoys drawing, music and travelling.