Google has announced the shutdown of Android Things Dashboard, a platform for an embedded operating system based on Android that was launched in 2018. The shutdown process has begun and all data will be destroyed by January 5, 2022. Android Things was introduced at Google I/O 2015.
Android Things Dashboard Shutdown: Everything You Need to Know
If you’re wondering what happened to the Android Things Dashboard and why it’s shutting down, read on to find out more about this critical platform for embedded systems.
What is Android Things Dashboard?
Google introduced Android Things in 2018 as a platform for an embedded operating system based on Android. Android Things Dashboard was created to help developers and manufacturers manage their connected devices that run on Android Things. The dashboard allowed developers to update software, configure devices, and monitor performance.
Why is it Shutting Down?
Unfortunately, Android Things Dashboard didn’t gain traction as expected. The platform had limited adoption due to various reasons, including a lack of developer support, several operational challenges, and a significant shift in Google’s IoT strategy. Google has indicated that it will now shift its focus to Cloud IoT Core and Cloud IoT Edge to drive IoT growth.
As of January 5, 2021, Android Things Dashboard began its shutdown process. Google has given a year’s notice, and the dashboard will be entirely shut down, and all data will be destroyed after January 5, 2022.
What does it mean for Developers and Manufacturers?
If you were using Android Things Dashboard, you need to take immediate action to migrate your data to an alternate platform or backup your data before the deadline. According to Google, an alternate dashboard or management console won’t be available. As a result, you will be required to migrate to third-party platforms or build your own management systems.
Google suggests that you export your device activity logs and history to avoid data loss. You can export your data from the Android Things Console to a Google Cloud Storage bucket, from where you can download it to your system.
What are the Alternatives?
Currently, there are several third-party IoT device management platforms available in the market that you can use to migrate your data, including:
- Amazon Web Services (AWS) IoT: This is a broad IoT platform that provides extensive device management capabilities, support for cloud-to-device messaging, and telemetry data processing.
- Microsoft Azure IoT Hub: This is a comprehensive IoT platform that provides device management, data processing, and edge computing support.
- Blynk: This is a popular IoT dashboard that offers a simple toolset to develop IoT projects, including an easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface, cloud-based code storage, and convenient dashboards to display data.
The high point
Android Things Dashboard was an essential platform for managing devices connected to Android Things, but with its shutdown, developers and manufacturers must consider migrating their data to alternate platforms or building their own management systems. It’s crucial to take action before January 5, 2022, to avoid data loss. By exploring alternative platforms, developers and manufacturers can continue to develop and manage IoT devices with ease.
