The Internet of Things (IoT) is, potentially, the biggest emerging technologies to hit 2015. Consumers want ease-of-use and they want it now. Since the demand is high, every company, from Microsoft to ADT, is rising to the occasion, producing IoT-connected devices for every imaginable need. If you want to know what’s on the horizon for IoT solutions, read on.
ADT joins DIY home security community
Product Concept (via ADT)
ADT doesn’t want to lose out on the IoT fun, and has mentioned the development of the next best home security solution. The security giant is collaborating with LG to launch an all-in-one, mobile home security system ideal for apartment dwellers and frugal-spenders alike.
According to a recent press release, the new product will have a 150-degree field of view, 5-mega-pixel camera, 1080p, live streaming, motion detection, tamper alerts, video and audio reports, night vision up to 30 feet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Z-Wave and Zigbee connectivity. The power-packed device is also said to allow two-way talking, temperature and humidity sensors and a built-in siren.
The product will be marketed under the LG label, but it will be the first DIY home security system to offer the full protection of a full service, professional home security company like ADT. Look for it in stores at the end of this year. ADT is also pairing up with NEST to offer more versatile security solutions.
Qualcomm’s Internet of Everything
IoT Concept (via Qualcomm)
Qualcomm is known for its high-quality, versatile microchips that power everything from refrigerators to Xbox controllers. Now, the company will also be known for providing some of the most flexible microchips for what it calls the Internet of Everything (also known as the IoT), programmable from your phone.
The company is launching two new chips – the QCA401x and QCA4351. The technologies will not only enable IoT-connectivity for basic and advanced devices (respectively), but they will also allow all of your devices to be controllable through an app on your phone, without all of that Cloud network business. This means you would be able to set up the timer on your coffee maker, washing machine, refrigerator and thermostat all from your phone. The chips also store up to 800KB and work in real time. If you want your coffee now, you can have it, right now, with the touch of a button.
Texas Instruments Wi-Fi Gets Upgrade to Support IoT
Texas Instruments CC3100 (via Texas Instruments)
With all of the companies upgrading their Wi-Fi capabilities, we can’t forget about the company that provides us with high-tech calculators. Texas Instruments is also adapting its business model to become competitive in the IoT market by announcing an upgrade to its Wi-Fi capabilities.
Texas Instruments announced an increase in Wi-Fi capabilities for microchips, that include 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi connectivity, single and dual-band Wi-Fi evaluation boards and selective Bluetooth connectivity. The new CC3100 SimpleLink IoT solution is for IoT product developers and is Wi-Fi CERTIFIED, can connect to any 8, 16 or 32-bit MCU with an SPI or UART Interface. It includes baseband, 802.11 b/g/n radio and MAC communication and also supports Station and Access Point connections. Texas Instruments hopes these advancements will make its solutions more competitive for the new IoT market takeover.
Zensors turns your cell phone into a security camera
Zensors Interface (via Zensors)
If you’ve been wondering what you should do with your old cell phone, Chris Harrison has the answer. He and a team of researchers created a program called Zensors that can use the camera of any surveillance camera or smartphone for data acquisition.
If you’re a small business owner, Harrison says you can take a smartphone, point the camera out of the window and ask Zensors a question, such as “how many people have walked by?” Real humans monitor the camera and answer your question, giving you useful information about potential customers in the neighborhood.
The technology only runs on manpower currently. If it begins using mathematic algorithms, it can reach a much larger audience, as a few guys in a room can only monitor so many cameras, but they can try. Zensors is currently in beta testing.
PTC and docomo join forces to enhance mobileiot technology
(via PTC)
PTC is convinced that the Internet of Things is changing the way manufacturers make products. Above the ever evolving consumer demand for an even easier-to-use product, PTC believes the IoT is forcing manufacturers to adapt and stay competitive in the dog-eat-dog technology industry. That’s why it joined forces with NTT DOCOMO to deliver on IoT demand in Japan.
NTT DOCOMO is one of the largest mobile service providers in Japan. In its new partnership with PTC, the company plans to bring its ThingWorx IoT Development Platform to the Cloud for more than 65 million mobile customers. The platform will be most useful for app developers and business owners, as it will provide a streamline way to develop IoT applications.
Canonical wants a slice of the IoT pie
Chillhub refrigerator control unit (via Canonical)
As the IoT takes over the world, technology companies are forced to adapt or die. That’s why Canonical, the company behind the Ubuntu OS, recently joined forces with its biggest competitor: Microsoft.
Canonical announced new partnerships with GE, Acer, DataArt and Microsoft to make itself more competitive in the IoT market. It plans to offer its Ubuntu Snappy Core OS for compact IoT devices, such as mobile phones, and will work with Data Art and Microsoft directly to develop a predictive maintenance system that will be able to manage and record data from machines. Machines would be able to communicate machine-to-machine, machine-to-Cloud and Cloud-to-back end, all the while relying on brands we know and trust.
Canonical is also working hand-in-hand with GE to build a smart refrigerator called Chillhub. It’s a top freezer refrigerator and will retail for $999. Early birds can get their worm for $799.
Citrix and Amazon join forces for IoT
Octoblu flow diagram (via Citrix)
Citrix understands that people are on the go. Whether you’re a doctor or student, people are no longer limited to the workplace or the classroom, and they need constant access to their information. That’s why it developed Project Octoblue and entered into partnership with Amazon.
Octoblu is a project that will use apps to alow users to access their business information from anywhere, using IoT technology. The project involves both hardware and software, that will allow machines to communicate with IoT devices wirelessly. users can then access these devices to obtain their information. Want to go hands-free? That’s where Amazon comes in.
The technology offers Amazon Echo, a voice recognition microphone and speaker duo system. Together, the companies hope to bring mobile professionals the flexibility and comfort they need in an ever-changing world. It will be integrated into Citrix’s Workspace Cloud.
IoT announcements do not stop here... more to come, for sure.
C
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