# Android Things > embedded operating system **Wikidata**: [Q20058659](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q20058659) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_Things) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/android-things ## Summary Android Things is an embedded operating system designed to manage computer hardware resources and provide a consistent environment for applications to execute. As a specific instance of system software, it acts as an intermediary between hardware and user applications, abstracting the complexity of the underlying machine. It is also known by the development alias Project Brillo. ## Key Facts - **Classification:** Android Things is an embedded operating system and a subclass of system software. - **Primary Function:** Its core purpose is to manage computer hardware resources, including the kernel, file system, memory manager, and scheduling components. - **Aliases:** The entity is also known as Project Brillo, Projet Brillo, and Brillo. - **License:** The software is distributed under the Apache License. - **Copyright Status:** Android Things holds a copyrighted status. - **Official Website:** The developer resources are hosted at https://developer.android.com/things/. - **Database Identifiers:** It has a Freebase ID of /m/013b0blh and a Techopedia ID of 33445. - **Global Reach:** The project has a sitelink count of 14 and is documented on Wikipedia in 14 languages: Catalan, English, Spanish, Persian, Finnish, French, Italian, Korean, Russian, Slovak, Turkish, Ukrainian, Vietnamese, and Chinese. ## FAQs ### Q: What is Android Things? A: Android Things is an embedded operating system that serves as system software to manage computer hardware and software resources, acting as the essential intermediary between the hardware and applications. ### Q: What are the alternative names for Android Things? A: The operating system is referred to by several aliases, including Project Brillo, Projet Brillo, and Brillo. ### Q: What license is Android Things released under? A: Android Things is distributed under the Apache License, though it maintains a copyrighted status. ### Q: Where can developers find information about Android Things? A: The official website for the project is https://developer.android.com/things/, which serves as the primary hub for developer resources. ## Why It Matters Android Things represents a specialized implementation of operating system principles tailored for embedded environments. By providing a stable and consistent application programming interface (API), it abstracts away the complexity of hardware resources—such as the processor, memory, and storage devices—allowing developers to create software that can run on different hardware configurations without modification. This solves the fundamental problem of coordinating complex hardware, ensuring that application developers do not need to write code to directly control the hardware, a task that would otherwise be prohibitively complex and inefficient. As an embedded OS, it extends the utility of the operating system concept beyond general-purpose computers to dedicated devices, forming the foundational layer that makes the hardware usable. ## Notable For - **Embedded Specialization:** Unlike general-purpose operating systems, Android Things is specifically categorized as an embedded operating system, designed for dedicated computing tasks. - **Project Brillo Lineage:** The system is notably recognized by its development codename, Project Brillo, which is used as a primary alias in multiple languages. - **Multilingual Documentation:** It boasts a significant international presence, with technical documentation and encyclopedic entries available in 14 distinct languages, including Catalan, Korean, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese. - **Apache Licensing:** The use of the Apache License distinguishes its distribution model, aligning it with open-source practices while maintaining copyright. ## Body ### Core Function and Classification Android Things is fundamentally an embedded operating system, placing it within the broader category of system software. As an operating system (OS), its primary role is to manage all computer hardware and software resources, acting as the essential intermediary between computer hardware and the applications run by a user. It provides a consistent environment for programs to execute, making it a fundamental component of its specific computing platform. Like all operating systems, it is responsible for foundational computing tasks, including memory management, process scheduling, file systems, and access control. ### Key Components and Architecture As an instance of an operating system, Android Things is composed of several integral parts designed to manage the system effectively. These components include the **kernel**, which maintains complete control over everything in the system, and the **file system**, which manages how data is stored and retrieved. The architecture also incorporates a **memory manager** to allocate and de-allocate memory space for programs, as well as **scheduling** software to determine which processes and threads are executed by the processor. Additionally, it includes components for **access control** to manage permissions and security, ensuring the integrity of the embedded environment. ### Technical Identity and Licensing The software is distributed under the **Apache License**, a detail that defines its legal and usage framework for developers and manufacturers. Despite this licensing, the project maintains a **copyrighted** status. It is identified in various technical databases by specific IDs, including a **Freebase ID** of `/m/013b0blh` and a **Techopedia ID** of `33445`. These identifiers help categorize the entity within the broader landscape of technology knowledge bases and structured data. ### Aliases and Nomenclature Throughout its development and deployment, the operating system has been referred to by several names. It is widely recognized by the alias **Project Brillo**, which appears in multiple variations such as **Projet Brillo** (French) and **Brillo**. These aliases are standardized across different knowledge graphs and documentation, reflecting the project's history and evolution within the embedded systems sector. ### Global Presence and Documentation Android Things has established a significant digital footprint, evidenced by a **sitelink count** of 14 across various Wikimedia projects. Its documentation and information are accessible in a wide array of languages, reflecting its global utility. The **Wikipedia title** for the entity is "Android Things," and corresponding articles exist in **Catalan (ca)**, **English (en)**, **Spanish (es)**, **Persian (fa)**, **Finnish (fi)**, **French (fr)**, **Italian (it)**, **Korean (ko)**, **Russian (ru)**, **Slovak (sk)**, **Turkish (tr)**, **Ukrainian (uk)**, **Vietnamese (vi)**, and **Chinese (zh)**. This multilingual support underscores its importance as a specialized operating system discussed and utilized across diverse technical communities worldwide.