Google I/O is sure to bring with it a lot of goodies, including Android M and some native fingerprint authentication in Google’s mobile operating system. Apparently El Goog might have a whole new OS planned for the show, too.
The folks at The Information claim that Google is building a new operating system codenamed “Brillo.” Brillo, which is likely to be released under the Android brand, is reportedly meant to power Internet of Things devices, like your smart thermostat and oven. The software is being built by a team linked to Google’s Android group, and Brillo will reportedly work on low-power devices with as little as 64MB or 32MB of RAM. And while IoT device makers have already gone ahead and made their own software, it’s suggested that Google wants to make things simpler and offer Brillo for free.
Google’s shown some interest in connected home products in the past, including with its Android@Home initiative — which never really went much of anywhere — as well as purchases of companies like Nest and Dropcam. Many companies are betting on IoT and the connected home to be one of the next big thing in consumer electronics, and so it makes sense that Google would want to take the Android that it’s already got, tweak it to work on low-power IoT hardware, and then try to take over that space like it has mobile.
Are you interested in the Internet of Things and connected home products?
