Internet of Things

Google Unveils IoT Developer Platform, Updates to Weave

• By Sri Ravipati
• 12/21/16

Google last week unveiled a preview of its new Internet of Things (IoT) developer platform for building smart devices using Android APIs and Google services.

Android Things enables developers to quickly build IoT devices “while staying highly secure with updates direct from Google,” according to the Google blog post announcement. To get started with the Android Things Software Development Kit (SDK) preview, all developers need is “a development board flashed with the Android Things OS and the required peripherals for your service," according the preview website.

The platform features tools found on Project Brillo, Google’s OS for IoT devices. Developers familiar with Project Brillo will recognize Android Studio, the Android Software Development Kit (SDK), Google Play Services and Google Cloud Platform.

Google also announced updates to Weave, its IoT communications platform, “to make it easier for all types of devices to connect to the cloud and interact with services.” Weave now offers cloud infrastructure and a Device SDK that has schemas for light bulbs, smart plugs and more, and will be adding “support for additional device types, custom schemas/traits and a mobile application API for Android and iOS,” according to the blog post.

Device makers – including Philips Hue, Samsung SmartThings, Belkin WeMo, LiFx, Honeywell and Wink – are already using Weave, according to Google.

In the coming months, the company plans to release “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.” It is also working on merging Google Weave and Nest Weave (a communication protocol developed by Nest for Nest products) in an effort to securely and reliably connect all classes IoT devices.

Android Things is available as a developer preview here.