Report: Google will show off new Internet of Things platform at I/O, code-named Brillo

According to a new report, Google is setting its sights on the Internet of things in a big way.

It’s amazing to think how much the Internet has changed the world around us, particularly the way we consume data. Computers were the first gateways to the Internet, and during these earlier days what kind of information we could obtain was somewhat limited by the speed of our (generally dial-up) connections, as well as the stationary nature of desktop computers. As time has progressed, the way we engage the Internet has evolved significantly thanks to the mobile revolution (and the improvement in Internet speeds), and even though it’s been less than a decade since this change really took off — it’s hard to for many of us to imagine the world before we had constant access to nearly everything right at our fingertips.

As the web has expanded from simple text and basic images to media streaming, social networking, online shopping, and so much more, Google has been at the center of it all. The next major evolution in Internet and how it affects the world around us will likely be seen in the so-called “Internet of Things revolution”, and make no mistake, Google will be a integral force there as well.

Google has already made moves into this space before with the failed Android@Home project, and more recently with several key acquisitions including Nest, but now a new report from The Information suggests that Google is getting ready to release a new software platform that will take things to a whole new level.

Going by the code-name “Brillo”, the new platform will supposedly debut next week at Google I/O 2015 and is said to embrace the low-power nature of IoT by working with devices offering as little as 32 or 64MB RAM. Reportedly Brillo’s development falls under the Android group, which means it is likely based on Android, though we can’t confirm this just yet. We do have to wonder, however, if perhaps this is part of what Android M is all about, with Brillo being to Android M what Android Wear currently is to Android Lollipop.

For what it is worth, The Information suggests this appears to be separate from Android M (at least to some degree) and may not even be a full operating system:

Like the open-source version of Android, Brillo could be more like a technology blueprint than a fully loaded operating system tied to apps and services, at first.

Either way, it makes sense for Google to jump into this space. Right now, IoT is in a bit of a ‘wild west’ phase, with tons of companies interested in jumping in, but many of them either creating their own independent platforms or teaming up with others to make cross-compatible but still limited platforms. Just as Google did with Android Wear and is trying to do with Android Auto and Android TV, Brillo will provide a cross-compatible, open platform that any IOT device maker can utilize for their products and, providing it takes off, could certainly help reign in a new era for Internet of Things.

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For now, Google will be focusing specifically on the home side of IOT, at least according to The Information’s report. Of course it is important to note that Google has yet to confirm any of this, so we’d take the entire report with a grain of salt. Thankfully, Google I/O is almost here, so we shouldn’t have to wait too long to learn more.

What do you think of the idea of Google jumping into IOT with its own platform? Let us know in the comments.