Episode 1: How to build hardware that doesn’t suck

This week Kevin and I talk about the updated Thread protocol and explain what Thread 1.2 has to offer. It’s quite a lot. We also talk about office-management firm JLL working with Google to launch a smart assistant for the office environment, Samsung’s smart TV flub and DISH launching a smart home device installation effort. From there we talk about device-based security at the chip level and several news items. These include turning an iPhone into a medical device test platform, a new launch date for IKEA’s smart blinds, a new HomeKit smart plug, an update on Samsung’s Galaxy Home fondue pot device and a lawsuit against Amazon. In this week’s Internet of Things Podcast Hotline, we answer a question from Jeff about how to keep smart speakers from cluttering up a room. The JLL app lets office workers schedule conference rooms and more, using their voice. This week’s guest is Elizabeth Hackenson, the CIO of Schneider Electric. In her role as CIO, she is helping make the 130,000-employee company undergo a digital transformation. It’s a big job and she shares her exact role, the challenges of bringing IT and OT together and does a deep dive on the type of security she’s trying to implement. She also provides helpful tips on how to get your team members on the same page and what to look out for when trying to build connected factories and operations. Enjoy the show. Hosts: Stacey Higginbotham and Kevin Tofel Guest: Elizabeth Hackenson, CIO at Schneider Electric Sponsors: Dell Technologies and Nordic Semiconductor Three things that matter in the new version of Thread JiLL wants to be your new office assistant with Google’s help The most interesting element of the Alexa lawsuits is  consent Communication is the most important factor in bridging IT and OT You need a layered security approach for IoT The post Episode 221: Thread is now enterprise ready appeared first on IoT Podcast - Internet of Things.

20 Juni 201958min

This week Kevin and I offer a take on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency hack and what it means in terms of biometric data, broader security trends and how it relates to policing that can rely on connected AR glasses. Basically, it’s going to be a dystopian hellscape. Especially when you consider Spotify selling data about your emotional state, Amazon’s work on a wearable that detects your emotions, and Facebook trying hard to make a version of the Portal system that could sell. In other news, we discuss whether Uber’s air taxis need 5G, Amazon halting sales of its new Blink XT2 video camera and a new environmental sensing board from Google. And, in our IoT Podcast listener hotline, we answer a question about underrated smart home features. By definition, our answers should surprise you. Google’s IoT sensor board plugs into a Raspberry Pi and talks to Google’s Cloud IoT Core service. This week’s guest is Dominique Guinard, the CTO of Evrythng, a platform that connects unique tags to the internet. Brands ranging from Coke to liquor giant Diageo use the Evrythng platform to track individual items and connect brands to customers. Guinard discussed how Evrythng has changed with the times in the internet of things, how a new standard could let consumer packaged good companies track individual items, and how the economics are finally in favor of connected tags.  We also discuss the tech needed to track a trillion connected objects,  salmon and why companies always turn to marketing first when it comes to IoT. Enjoy the show. Hosts: Stacey Higginbotham and Kevin Tofel Guest: Dominique Guinard, the CTO of Evrythng Sponsors: Dell Technologies and Nordic Semiconductor The surveillance state isn’t very secure This isn’t the data I really want to share with companies How many sensors did Google cram onto this board? Sensor tags are finally cheap enough for packaged good Yes, it’s the internet of salmon The post Episode 220: The future of surveillance includes hacked data and biased AI appeared first on IoT Podcast - Internet of Things.

13 Juni 201956min

Twice a year Kevin and I gather up a bunch of your questions from the Internet of Things Podcast Hotline and find answers for them. The episode stars all of our listeners and this time around y’all want to know about helping students build Amazon Alexa skills, how to use a sensor to track when the washer or dryer is done, and how to know when you left the stove on. Y’all also asked for an update on my Grand Google Home experiment, which caused my family to mutiny. What the heck is up with Wink? We still don’t know. Smarter appliances were a big trend this episode, but y’all also wanted a smarter mailbox, an update on Wink and the safest way to set up a Wi-Fi network for your devices. Sadly, we recorded this before Apple shared the news that it would work with router makers to create a separate network for IoT devices. John asked a question about surge protectors for IoT devices, which was honestly something I had never considered. Kevin thinks it’s a good idea for those higher priced items. We round it out with a question from Kiril about which tablet he should buy to support remote monitoring of his Ring doorbell. We hope you enjoy the show, and appreciate Schlage and Afero for their continued support of the IoT Podcast Hotline. Hosts: Stacey Higginbotham and Kevin Tofel Sponsors: Dell Technologies and Nordic Semiconductor Resources from the show: Chatterbox Kickstarter Google’s computer vision kit SmartThings how-to for monitoring laundry How to build your own laundry sensor The Wallflower or Inirv stove monitoring options Basic surge protector from Amazon Eve Home energy strip Blink camera for your mailbox The Lenovo Smart Tab for Alexa The post Episode 219: The summer Q&A episode! appeared first on IoT Podcast - Internet of Things.

6 Juni 201946min

This week we talk about Nvidia’s new EGX platform for delivering machine learning at the edge as well as the surprise Sony low power wide area network that can send a few bits 60 miles.  And because we forgot last week, this week we review Google’s decision to walk back its Nest deprecation as well as new features for Alexa. We also found a potential new home hub as part of TP-Link’s mesh Wi-Fi system. We close with the role of connected devices in legislation to prevent children from dying in hot cars and looked forward to Apple’s WWDC. In this week’s hotline, we answer a question about the five essential smart home gadgets for a new home. Eve sensors can be used to automate the all-Apple home. Our guest this week is Jerome Gackel, CEO of Eve. Eve makes well-designed sensors, lights, power strips and other smart home devices for the Apple HomeKit ecosystem. Gackel explains that while Apple’s pace has been slow in the smart home, he’s willing to bet his company on Apple’s eventual success. He also gives a friendly tip on how to build a security system for the all-HomeKit home. I know a good chunk of our audience will find it helpful. Hosts: Stacey Higginbotham and Kevin Tofel Guest: Jerome Gackel, CEO of Eve Sponsor: Dell Technologies and Nordic Semiconductor Nvidia is creating a complete computing platform for the edge Sony built a LPWAN and a chip for that new network IoT can help solve the problem of kids dying in hot cars Eve is dependent on Apple, so what does its CEO think of HomeKit? Why the smart home is struggling The post Episode 218: This company is betting big on Apple’s HomeKit appeared first on IoT Podcast - Internet of Things.

30 Maj 201951min

This week, Lutron introduced the Aurora dimmer switch, which attaches to a traditional light switch to control your smart bulbs without any need of an electrician or tools. We love it! We also discuss the launch of Wyze’s light bulbs and newly added Google Assistant integration, Comcast’s proposed health sensors and Mediatek’s new chips for IoT.  From there we chat about GDPR, over-the-air updates for cars and Google’s new version of Glass. Our news bits feature Savant, Arduino Nano, Tado and Lenovo. This week’s hotline question concerns how to track when people are in a room for automation purposes, so we introduce RoomMe and a new security device called Minut as possible solutions. The Lutron Aurora sells for $40 and is easy to install. The guest this week is Zach Supalla, the CEO of Particle, who shares the results from a company-commissioned a survey of 800 IoT developers. We talk about the industries spending money on IoT and their use cases and then talk about the things that companies tend to struggle with once they scale up an IoT project. Surprisingly data isn’t the challenge you need to worry about. There are good learnings here. Hosts: Stacey Higginbotham and Kevin Tofel Guest:  Zach Supalla, the CEO of Particle Sponsors: Dell Technologies and Nordic Semiconductor Lutron Aurora is a must-have for renters Do you want Comcast all up in your health? Microsoft wants GDPR-style regulations in the US too Here are the top five industries buying IoT Here are the top three use cases so far for industrial IoT The post Episode 217: Lutron has saved the smart bulb! appeared first on IoT Podcast - Internet of Things.

23 Maj 201958min

This week Kevin and I continue discussing the fall out from Google killing the Works with Nest program. We discuss alternative devices for those who want to replace their Nest devices. Next, we go into the Amazon Alexa updates that add the Guard security features and sunrise and sunset schedule. Then we look at the new NB-IoT networks from Verizon and AT&T before talking about the facial recognition ban in San Francisco. We mention Lenovo’s new IoT Edge gateway and cover the new Wi-Fi Home Certification for single-family homes and apartments. Finally, we answer a listener question about outdoor mesh Wi-Fi. The Sonos One got Google Assistant and there’s one drawback. Photo by Kevin Tofel. This week’s guest is Mariel Devesa, global head of business at Phyn who discusses why insurance firms have been slow to underwrite more smart home devices and what we can expect going forward. One potential future involves companies bidding for our business based on feeds of smart home data showing how low our risk profiles are. Because Phyn is a leak prevention sensor, she also spends a chunk of time talking about water damage and how to find algorithms to build a compelling product. Enjoy the glimpse into our future. Hosts: Stacey Higginbotham and Kevin Tofel Guest: Mariel Devesa, global head of business at Phyn Sponsors: Dell Technologies and Nordic Semiconductor How should IoT devices remove features or privacy? Sonos One adds Google Assistant but there’s a drawback Verizon’s NB-IoT network seems pricey Why insurance firms still won’t underwrite your smart home One day your insurer might bid for your business The post Episode 216: Your smart home data will lead to cheaper insurance appeared first on IoT Podcast - Internet of Things.

16 Maj 201955min

This week’s show is a long one, thanks to both Google I/O and Microsoft Build happening this week. We kick off with news from I/O about local processing and gesture controls before digging deep into what it means that Google is killing its Works with Nest program. We explain what it means for consumers, the industry, and for developers. From there we move to the privacy one can expect in Amazon’s Echo products and generally what Amazon knows about you. We also talk about the new Amazon Blink XT2 indoor/outdoor wireless camera. The enterprise gets a lot of love from Microsoft at Build with new conversational talents, a way to migrate old embedded devices to the modern Windows 10 IoT OS and support for robots and Windows 10 IoT. We end with news bits including an update on Bluetooth’s success and an update on the lawsuit over landlords installing smart locks. I also review Wyze Sense sensors. The new Amazon Blink XT2 indoor/outdoor wireless camera will sell for $89.99. This week’s guest is Kiva Allgood, the new head of IoT and Automotive at Ericsson. She has worked at GE Ventures and at Qualcomm, so she’s familiar with the history of the IoT. She discusses agile factories that will be enabled by 5G networks, why we need industry-wide standards for the IoT and explains why adoption has been slow. We also talk about the importance of resiliency in the industrial IoT, something that is occasionally lost on the IT folks. Hosts: Stacey Higginbotham and Kevin Tofel Guest: Kiva Allgood of Ericsson Sponsors: Dell Technologies and Nordic Semiconductor Consumers should only buy Nest gear if they are Google-only homes Would you dump your digital assistant? At last Azure Sphere security service is being used in the real world! Standards will make the industrial IoT profitable With 5G you can reprogram your factory like you reprogram software The post Episode 215: What Google killing Works with Nest means appeared first on IoT Podcast - Internet of Things.

9 Maj 201957min

This week Kevin and I mourn the end of Anki, the company behind Kevin’s beloved Vector robot. We also talk about the upcoming Google I/O, privacy expectations in apartments with connected devices and AT&T’s nationwide NB-IoT network. From there we discuss Congressional hearings on device security here and abroad in the U.K. In our quick news bits we talk about a $2,000 pool camera to detect drownings, the evolutions of Mozilla’s Project Things, Alexa speaking Spanish in the U.S., and Ford enabling Amazon Key for its 2017 and newer vehicles. Kevin found two good resources for the pro set. The first is a booklet on using a Raspberry Pi for computer vision and the second is a guide to using Microsoft’s IoT Hub. In this week’s voicemail, we deliver bad news to a gentleman searching for a way to help his parents avoid killing their garden. Whistle, the company behind a connected dog collar is part of Mars’ new Kinship business. Our guest this week touches on a topic many of our listeners will love — pets!  Leonid Sudakov is the CEO of Kinship, a newly created business of Mars Petcare. Sudakov comes on the show to talk about the newly created business he’s running that combines connected gadgets and data analytics to understand the secret lives of our pets. He talks about what Kinship is looking for in partners and how technology can help people communicate with our companion animals. Hosts: Stacey Higginbotham and Kevin Tofel Guest: Leonid Sudakov is the CEO of Kinship Sponsors: Software AG and IoT World Residents in Manhattan are suing over a connected door lock AT&T’s NB-IoT pricing is very compelling Would you buy a $2,000 device to prevent drowning? Connected collars and data analysis will give pets a voice Are we ready for telemedicine for pets? The post Episode 214: Goodbye Anki, hello connected pets appeared first on IoT Podcast - Internet of Things.

2 Maj 201950min