Back in February 2019, Google announced the closure of support for commercial use of the Android Things platform for device makers. This decision marked a significant shift in Google’s strategy for its IoT (Internet of Things) platform. Now, Google has turned their attention to the Android Things Console for non-commercial use. Beginning early next year on January 5th, 2021, the console will no longer allow the creation of new projects using NXP i.MX7D and Raspberry Pi 3B. Google explains more:
“Developers can continue to use the Android Things console to build images and serve OTA updates for their existing projects until January 5, 2022. At this point, the console will be turned down completely and all project data will be permanently deleted — including build configurations and factory images. The Android Things console will stop supporting new projects on January 5, 2021, and will be turned down for all existing projects on January 5, 2022.”
Impact on Developers and Existing Projects
The announcement has significant implications for developers who have been using the Android Things platform for their IoT projects. Developers can continue to use the Android Things console to build images and serve OTA (Over-The-Air) updates for their existing projects until January 5, 2022. This gives developers a one-year window to transition their projects to alternative platforms or to finalize their existing work.
The shutdown means that after January 5, 2022, all project data will be permanently deleted. This includes build configurations and factory images, which are crucial for the deployment and maintenance of IoT devices. Developers are advised to back up their data and consider migrating to other IoT platforms such as AWS IoT, Microsoft Azure IoT, or even open-source alternatives like Home Assistant.
Future of IoT Development
The discontinuation of the Android Things platform raises questions about the future of IoT development within the Google ecosystem. While Google has not provided a direct replacement for Android Things, the company continues to invest in other IoT-related technologies. For instance, Google Cloud IoT offers a suite of tools for managing IoT devices and analyzing data, which could serve as an alternative for some developers.
Moreover, the rise of edge computing and advancements in AI (Artificial Intelligence) are opening new avenues for IoT development. Edge computing allows data processing to occur closer to the source of data, reducing latency and improving performance. This is particularly beneficial for IoT applications that require real-time data processing, such as autonomous vehicles and smart cities.
Additionally, Google’s TensorFlow Lite, a lightweight version of its machine learning framework, can be used to deploy AI models on IoT devices. This enables more intelligent and autonomous IoT solutions, ranging from smart home devices to industrial automation.
For more information regarding existing projects and the future of the Android Things platform, jump over to the official Android Developer website by following the link below.
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