Android Things to Focus on Smart Speakers and Displays
Android Things, Google's version of Android named for its focus on the "Internet of Things" (IoT), is now no longer focused on IoT.
A post on the Android Developers Blog announced the cnahge, saying, "Given the successes we have seen with our partners in smart speakers and smart displays, we are refocusing Android Things as a platform for OEM partners to build devices in those categories moving forward."
Android Things used to be Google's version of Android for everything smaller than a smartphone or smartwatch. The goal was to have the OS be the IoT version of Android. Manufacturers would load an untouched version of the OS and be restricted to the app layer of the software package.
"Android Things continues to be a platform for experimenting with and building smart, connected devices using the Android Things SDK on top of popular hardware like the NXP i.MX7D and Raspberry Pi 3B. System images for these boards will remain available through the Android Things console where developers can create new builds and push app updates for up to 100 devices for non-commercial use," Gogole said.
The first consumer products with Android Things, third-party smart displays like the Lenovo Smart Display, launched in July.