IoT

Late last summer someone handed me a curious USB device that I popped in my bag and then sat on my shelf until today when I thought it was about time I plugged it into my computer to see what it did.

relayr is an IoT platform as a service, aiming to help IoT developers centralize and aggregate the data generated by IoT connected devices. By installing their hardware and software SDKs you don't need to worry about specific SDKs and data types generated by various devices, but instead code against the relayr APIs.

The evive aims to reduce the complex tangles of sensors, circuit boards and cables you have covering your workbench. It's a compact, all-in-one small book-sized device capable of reading and outputting a variety of sensor and trigger data. Built in includes power sensors, multiple motor channels, voltmeter probes, and two analog to digital converters. If that's not enough for you, at the heart of the evive is an Arduino Mega offering large expansion possibilities with a mini breadboard, communication module (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and XBee), IC, SPI and Serial pins.

There is a lot to see, hear, and discover at Mobile World Congress (MWC) and its many side events. From helping the developing world, to brain imaging, and sensors on seals, these are some of my highlights.

2016 was quite a year for technology and its impact on the world. Subconsciously or not, nestled amongst the booths of generic Chinese handsets and app marketing companies were many projects and people at MWC that sought to accomplish something more meaningful. Here are some of the themes and concepts I feel will shape 2017 and 2018.

When most people think about the Internet of Things (IoT), it likely conjures ideas of activity-monitoring wearables like Fitbit or home devices for home security (iSmart), lighting (Hue), and coffee makers (Nespresso Prodigio). It’s a mixed opinion on the success of consumer IoT devices, but IoT is making its biggest impact in the industrial realm, where it’s used to reconcile problems that have plagued workplaces for centuries. Industry can use sensor technology to increase efficiency, improve supply chains, reduce waste and increase safety and speed. Last week, I attended the Connected World event from Bosch and bring a selection of companies and activities in what I will term, “The Internet of Industrial Things” (IoIT).

I’ve never been to CeBit before, but it’s reasonably well-known on the tech conference circuit for announcements, and as it’s only a two-hour train ride from home, I jumped on a Deutsche Bahn and headed to the Worlds largest fairground in Hannover.

Flexera Software offers tools for producers and consumers of open source software to help ensure compliance and security of open source software in enterprise.

IFA Berlin was an assortment of connected products, robots, and personal assistants. See what the future looks like for development.

Learn about Ubuntu Core's role in IoT development and how Snaps, as a packaging system, augment Linux, containers, and IoT.

Thingworx is a comprehensive SaaS platform for creating AR experiences for Industry 4.0 and IoT-heavy workplaces. Here are some use cases to consider.

In this 25-minute podcast/panel discussion, four Blockchain luminaries talk about how to bring smart contract ideas to reality.

Read about the most exciting developments from this year's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, like IoT, Google assistant, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence.

Wondering which IoT devices you need for your home? Check out this guide of the different types of IoT platforms to connect the devices in your home!

Want to hear what you missed at this yer's IFA event? Check out this post to learn more about Europe's consumer tech fair trends.

Click here to learn more on how 5G is changing the future of connectivity and mobile communication around the globe.

Let's take a look at Alibaba Cloud and their plans for growth in European markets and push towards 5G.

Learning to code with a board game? Sounds too good to be true.

Chris Ward is here (a week late) reporting on his favorite announcements from the Consumer electronics show.