To compete with efforts by Oracle, Apple and Microsoft to create software for developers for the Internet of Things (IoT) applications, Google announced “Project Brillo” at their I/O Conference in San Francisco on May 28. In their statement, they said that, “Brillo extends the Android platform to all your connected devices, so they are easy to set up and work seamlessly with each other and your smartphone”. They also indicated that Brillo will work another new technology called Weave, which is designed to foster easier communications between devices.
Google specified the particular target groups that they would focus on:
1) For OEMs of devices, they will benefit from a quick and secure building process without the need for software updates. Other operating systems will also benefit by connecting to Weave.
2) For application developers, Brillo will “Extend the reach of…apps to the physical world. Build one app to control multiple devices in the home and work environments, leveraging Google services such as voice actions.”
3) For end users, they can feel comfortable that their “connected devices will work with each other, and work with your phone. Automatic setup and easy-to-use sharing is built-in.”
Google did not yet explain how Project Brillo and Weave would work with or compete with “NEST”, the smart device platform that Google also owns. Further, they did not at the time choose to address how Google’s new play will fit into a market that is already highly competitive with the dominant forces of Oracle, Apple and Microsoft. However, it was still very intriguing to see Google plunge into this space.
