May 2018 was full of announcements made by Google and hence, Google kept trending for the entire month.

Apart from all the announcements that we know from Google I/O 2018, Google announced the new operating system- “Android Things” for the developers. It just released its first Beta version, Android Things 1.0 for the developers.

While discussing the Android app development trends, we knew artificial intelligence (AI) and Google Assistant is going to be the new In-things. But, we didn’t expect to see this new Android OS by Google.

What is this new OS, “Android Things”?

Android Things is an operating system managed by Google that allow the developers to build intelligent IoT devices for a varied range of customers.

Android Things become the robust platform for the developers to just focus on developing the connected devices and rest all other things would be taken care by Google’s backend infrastructure such as-

Bring in certified hardware to produce the devices

Integrating smart developer APIs

Managing secure software updates

Now, the challenge for the developers would get eased by converting the prototype of the connected devices. Because they would now be able to utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to develop the smart devices.

Flashback

Android Things was firstly announced in the year 2016. At that point of time, Google released the developer preview.

The developers from across the world downloaded the SDK and offered their feedback to Google using issue tracker, workshops, meetups, events and Google+ community.

And, with the help of this feedback, Google worked on its first beta version.

Back to 2018

Based on this 100K SDK downloads of the Android Things developer preview, Google released its first beta version Android Things 1.0.

Also, Google brought the live demos of the connected devices in the developers festival, Google I/O 2018.

For a few months, Google has been working with their partners like LG, Lenovo, JBL, iHome, etc. to include Smart Speakers and Smart Displays using Android Things. It is also said that these products will feature Google Assistant and Google Cast.

Also, Google is showing a keen interest in working with the startups who are having innovative ideas to convert the user needs in the connected devices. Google says that it would offer in-depth guidance and support to those startups to help them build great connected devices.

By releasing the beta version and extending the support to be offered to the startups to build smart apps, we can expect that 2018 and the coming years would see a lot smarter, connected devices.

So, do you have an innovative idea of developing an IoT device? Let’s discuss how we can bring your idea to life.