Google has launched Android Things 1.0, the official version of its IoT platform first announced as a developers preview in late 2016. The introduction was made just before Google’s annual conference for developers. Google said the preview SDK was already downloaded over 100,000 times and used to develop products such as its first smart displays from Lenovo, LG and JBL. .
Android Things provides hardware and software developers with the needed SDKs to build many types of IoT devices. The company has partnered with a number of hardware manufacturers to offer developer kits and also supplies a developer console that allows for managing devices and pushing over-the-air updates to both prototype and production devices. Google promises that it will ship stability fixes and security patches for three years, though manufacturers will have options for extended support, too.
Non-commercial users can manage up to 100 devices in the Android Things Console to work on getting their product to market. Once they go over 100 devices or plan to roll out a commercial product, they’ll have to sign an agreement with Google.
As part of the launch, Google announced support for some new System-on-Modules for Things based on the NXP i.MX8M, Qualcomm SDA212, Qualcomm SDA624 and MediaTek MT8516 hardware platforms. These join the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B and NXP i.MX7D devices that were previously supported. Support for the NXP i.MX6UL platform is being phased out.
