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Project Brillo is rebranded as Android Things

Project Brillo rebranded Android Things

Google has announced changes to its Internet of Things platform. They have recently launched a developer preview of Android Things, which is an updated and rebranded version of their Brillo IoT operating system which was unveiled in 2015.

Google has released a preview of the software, a bare-bones version of Android for connected light bulbs and door locks. It also announced plans for creating a simpler protocol for linking those devices to the cloud.

Read the full article on Electronic Design

See also: “10 Things to know about Android Things” on Forbes.com

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A not so connected Internet of Things

Standardising IoT

Standardisation in the world of IoT is a long way off. Chris Stone at ReadWrite highlights the rules we must keep in mind as we get closer to a solution that connects all of our devices seamlessly.

Right now, there are roadblocks standing in the way of our devices communicating not just with us, but with each other. We need a new approach—one that overcomes challenges with both technology and corporate interest, letting users fully leverage the power of each of their connected devices.

Read the full article on ReadWrite

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Google to absorb Nest Developers

It was only a matter of time – Fortune has exclusively revealed that Nest‘s entire platform team will now become part of Google, in order to create a unified Internet of Things platform.

The combined group also will continue to work on Google Home, a smart speaker rival to the Amazon Echo, while simultaneously fending off Amazon challenges elsewhere in the smart home.

Read the full article on Fortune

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The best connected devices and more

Jim Hill at T3 offers a nice little introduction to the Internet of Things and tells us about some of the best gear available right now.

What began in 1982 with an internet connected Coca-Cola machine that could order its own refills, now includes dishwashers, cars, robots, traffic lights, and anything else that might benefit from collecting and acting on shared data. Experts predict that, by 2020, 50 billion such devices will have joined the IoT. But to fit this feature onto six pages, we’ll focus on the smart home and wearables, because that’s where the IoT is having its most immediate and beneficial impact.

Read the full article on T3

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Are we crazy to buy into the Internet of Things?

In 2014, Google’s Nest Labs acquired Revolv, the maker of a hub for controlling devices such as lights, alarms and doors. But next month they’re shutting down the web service that powers the device – customers are understandably annoyed. Klint Finley at WIRED questions if it’s too early to adopt IoT, and looks at what lessons can be learned from this.

Nest’s decision sends a pretty clear signal that you just can’t rely on “Internet of Things” things.

The solution is fairly simple: make it possible for the devices to work independently of their cloud services over WiFi or Bluetooth.

Read the full article on WIRED