Google’s Internet of Things (IoT) platform Android Things is getting closer to a mainstream launch with developer preview 3 now available to developers.
Android Things has a long history, first appearing under the name Brillo back at Google I/O in 2015. It’s matured over the last two years into Android Things, and today has added some fundamentally required support for all Android Bluetooth APIs including access to both Bluetooth classic and low energy (LE) devices, which is a must-have for any IoT platform. There’s also support for USB Host Devices which allows for connection of USB devices, without resorting to having root access or accessing the Linux Kernel.
There’s a larger presence for Android Things at Google I/O including a Day 1 session for What’s New in Android Things hosted by ex-Pat and Senior Developer Advocate at Google Aussie Wayne Piekarski.
Internet of Things devices are set to grow in the next few years, with market research company Gartner forecasting up to 20.4 billion IoT devices will be in use globally by 2020, up from a projected 8.3 billion devices this year.
Developers wanting to know more can check out the Android Developers blog on the release of Dev Preview 3, or the Android Things Developer page.
