It looks as though Google is muscling into a position where it can gather even more information about us as we increasingly connect “smart” devices to the Internet, creating the so-called Internet of Things (IoT)

As first reported by The Information, the Internet giant is  developing a “light” version of its Android operating system that could run with as little as 32 megabytes of random-access memory.  That compares with a minimum of 512 MB of RAM currently required by Android.  That’s fine for smartphones and tablets, but wouldn’t work with “smart” thermostats, security cameras, coffee makers or light bulbs.

The tech press says that Google’s operating system for the IoT is currently called “Brillo” and will be unveiled Google’s I/O developer conference next week in San Francisco.

At the moment various manufactures of smart devices are using their own operating systems.  The problem with that is it could be difficult for various  smart devices to communicate with each other.

Google apparently wants to offer Brillo to device manufactures for free, just as it does with its Android operating systems for smartphones and tablets.  Brillo, the Internet giant hopes would become ubiquitous.

And what’s in it for Google?  Tech Times sums it up nicely:

The benefits for Google would be clear. Millions of little connected devices running Brillo could provide even more information about user's daily routines, such as what time they get home, or whether they use their oven more than their microwave, all of which would be very interesting to advertisers.  

Just what we need, right? More ways for Google to spy on us and invade our privacy.