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

The home security train just keeps on rolling in the smart home with Amazon offering a connected camera and door lock combo to enfold Prime Members even more deeply into the ecosystem and Wink launching a new security package for its members. Also on the home front Kevin Tofel and I discuss the new lighting startup Noon, which launches Thursday. We also talk about some new devices including a $20 camera and a Google Assistant intercom system before answering a question from Derek about how to integrate a bunch of devices together using an Android app. And because today ends in Y we also have a security story with Reaper as well as ARM’s new IoT security effort. The Noon lighting system on a wall. The guest this week is Phil Skipper of Vodafone who shares the details of building a low power wide area network using cellular. Skipper is betting on NB-IoT, and he explains the role it will play compared with Cat M and even alternatives like LoRa. He also discusses how companies are using, securing and pricing NB-IoT services. I learned a lot about new business models for IoT in this conversation. Enjoy the show! Hosts: Stacey Higginbotham and Kevin Tofel Guests: Phil Skipper of Vodafone Sponsors: SAP and ADT Amazon’s Key and Wink’s new security system are part of a trend Noon’s lighting system is pretty cool It’s not IoT exactly, but you should fear Reaper Why choose NB-IoT over other low power network options A glass break sensor can teach us new business models for IoT The post Episode 135: Amazon wants your key and Vodafone wants your sensor data appeared first on IoT Podcast - Internet of Things.

26 Okt 201751min

This week began with a bang as researchers disclosed a vulnerability in the Wi-Fi protocol that could cause problems for smart device owners. The details of the KRACK vulnerability can be found here, and a list of connected devices affected here. After that, we discuss Bluetooth issues and the trouble with most trackers. Kevin reviews the Sonos One and I review Alexa’s ability to tell different people apart. We also share some ideas from IFTTT to turn your smart home into a spookier one in time for Halloween. News from GE and Apple, an update on smart home device penetration and a spin out of Honeywell’s home division round out the show. Find out what Kevin thought of the new Sonos One. Photo by Kevin Tofel. After that I interview John Miri, who is the chief administrator for the LCRA in Austin, Texas. In his role, he oversees 275 sensors spread out over 800 miles of river in Texas. These sensors are part of a real-time flood reporting system that I was glued to during Hurricane Harvey. Curious about how it was managed, I asked Miri to discuss how the agency built it, how they keep it running and what data he’d like to see next. The biggest takeaway from the interview wasn’t that the IoT aspects were hard, but that the operations and maintenance were perhaps the most challenging. It’s a great interview for anyone who thinks IoT is a magic wand that will generate the data to solve your business problems. Hosts: Stacey Higginbotham and Kevin Tofel Guest: John Miri of the LCRA Sponsors: Qualcomm and SAP What to do after KRACK broke Wi-Fi security Samsung’s global tracker is cool, but can it do this? IFTTT wants to help you automate a haunted Halloween Measuring floods in real-time is harder than you think Anyone want to build a new radio network for the LCRA? The post Episode 134: KRACKed security and a river of sensors appeared first on IoT Podcast - Internet of Things.

19 Okt 201750min

Both Dell and Salesforce made big announcements about their internet of things plans this week, so Kevin and I try to break that down for people. We then discussed Amazon trying to deliver things to the trunk of your car, Google Home going too far in recording conversations and updates to hardware for autonomous cars. We also review the latest August lock and doorbell hardware and answer a listener question from Sally about linking her Sonos with her August locks for some musical automation. This Vitamix blender has Bluetooth and an app. I was at the Smart Kitchen Summit this week, and ran into Tony Ciepiel, COO of Vitamix, which just launched a connected blender. I had a few moments to ask Ciepiel how Vitamix was thinking about bringing its blenders into the 21st century and why. He explained how to think about technology in a product designed to be an heirloom and what it means for the company’s operations to support a connected device. We also talk about sharing data across connected products and how technology changes blenders’ capabilities. Enjoy the show! Hosts: Stacey Higginbotham and Kevin Tofel Guest: Tony Ciepiel, COO of Vitamix Sponsors: Qualcomm and SAP Dell and Salesforce are adapting to the IoT Cheaper LIDAR and smarter cars are coming August locks are good but the doorbell made me angry Why use Bluetooth as opposed to Wi-Fi in a connected blender Software can let you count calories even more granularly Have a question? Leave a voicemail on the IoT Podcast hotline at 512.623.7424 and we might answer it on the show! The post Episode 133: August’s new doorbell and Vitamix blends with Bluetooth appeared first on IoT Podcast - Internet of Things.

12 Okt 201743min

This show is awesome, but we don’t discuss the Google or Sonos news, because it happened after we recorded. I just want to let y’all know going in. Instead we cover Ring’s new security system, ADT’s pair up with SmartThings and why home security is so hot right now. We also talk about a new lighting startup, a new car data and security startup and some wicked cool software for watching what you eat. We also answer a HomeKit question from Charles and talk about self-driving taxis. The new Ring security system. Our guest this week offers a practical perspective on building out large-scale sensor networks. Yodit Stanton, founder and CEO of OpenSensors, has deployed thousands of sensors in buildings and shares how companies should think about security, deployment and maintenance. Keeing your building safe, whether a home or an office, should be the top priority, especially if there’s other people involved counting on you to implement the best security. While these sensors are great at keeping strangers out of your building, simpler methods are offered. Simply check out these locksmith security tips for the most efficient methods on staying safe in your own building! As well as this, she also talks about how LoRa networks are gaining ground for private IoT networks. It’s a packed show! Hosts: Stacey Higginbotham and Kevin Tofel Guests: Yodit Stanton, OpenSensors Sponsors: Qualcomm and FSG The “SimpliSafe effect” in the home security market Passive information gathering is easy. Too easy? How to control HomeKit light switches remotely Sensor deployments have a lot in common with VoIP systems Your sensors should take 30 seconds to install and cost less than $10 The post Episode 132: Ring’s new security system and scaling sensors appeared first on IoT Podcast - Internet of Things.

5 Okt 201751min

This week’s show features a quick rundown of Amazon’s new devices. It also has a lot of exciting news on the wearable front. Kevin Tofel reviews his Apple Watch with LTE and we also discuss a new program from the Food and Drug Administration that will allow nine companies to get pre-certifications for their devices. I’m optimistic that consumers will get more innovation and better data. We also hit on a stealthy new lighting startup from a former Nest co-founder, a partnership around autonomous vehicles and a fight between Google and Amazon. The Echo spot has a camera, a screen and costs $129.99. My guest is Matt Rogers, co-founder and VP of Engineering at Nest, who discusses the rationale behind the new Nest Security system and where Nest is heading. We also talk about efforts to build a closer relationship between the Google Home and Nest teams. Plus, he offers hope for an eventual HomeKit integration, although I am not going to hold my breath. Enjoy the show. Hosts: Stacey Higginbotham and Kevin Tofel Guest: Matt Rogers, Nest Sponsors: Qualcomm and Eero Which new Amazon device will you buy? The FDA gets into wearables Advice for a listener on creating audio-activated scenes Why Nest is aiming at the high end for security Will Nest gear ever get HomeKit support? The post Episode 131: Amazon’s new gear and Nest’s Matt Rogers appeared first on IoT Podcast - Internet of Things.

28 Sep 201748min

Wow. This week saw some big news from Nest as it announced a new security system plus other devices. August also updated its line of locks and promised a better doorbell. Meanwhile, rumors of an Amazon Alexa security system or even glasses emerged. And Google leaked some news. We also talked about smart grid M&A and Comcast buying Stringify, a company that links together myriad devices and lets you create scenes. Kevin also shared his thoughts on the Apple Watch with LTE and we answer a reader question about garage doors. A Nest Detect sensor in action. On the guest front, we speak with Rob Tiffany, the CTO of Lumada, about Hitachi’s new industrial IoT play Vantara. He discusses the existential threat that faced Hitachi and why it needed to make a move as well as shared how Hitachi is offering trains as a service. There’s a lot to digest in this show, but it’s a solid overview of the big news this week. Host: Stacey Higginbotham and Kevin Tofel Guest: Rob Tiffany of Hitachi Vantara Sponsors: ForgeRock and Xively The Nest Connect and Security is the return of Weave So much hardware getting released and leaked On the Apple Watch with LTE, manage your networks or manage your expectations IoT posed an existential threat to Hitachi’s business How to turn a train into a service The post Episode 130: Nest’s a security company now and Hitachi’s new industrial IoT explained appeared first on IoT Podcast - Internet of Things.

21 Sep 201745min

This week’s Apple announcement didn’t offer much for the IoT fans in the audience, although Kevin is deciding if he want’s the LTE-capable Apple Watch. We also talk about a big Bluetooth security vulnerability and Chamberlain’s decision to charge customers who want to create IFTTT integrations. We cover some news about EdgeX Foundry, a new energy monitoring product and an enterprise translation service that requires a “thing.” Finally, we answer a reader’s question about upgrading an old alarm system. The Apple Watch with LTE and a set of Air Pods might be the future of computing. Our guest this week talks about a particularly relevant topic given the recent hurricanes. David Martin, co-founder and managing director of Power Ledger, is building an energy trading market using blockchain, connected meters and a network of residential solar. He discusses the bifurcation of the energy market, the trend towards resiliency and how the blockchain can help generate revenue for consumers and the larger energy grid. But, as you’ll hear in this interview, it’s a disruptive concept. Hosts: Stacey Higginbotham and Kevin Tofel Guest: David Martin of Power Ledger Sponsors: ForgeRock and Xively Hey Apple, show me the HomeKit! In which we shame Samsung on Blueborne missteps What to do with an ancient security system? Rip it out. How to use blockchain to make money on renewables Building a more resilient grid starts with IoT (and the blockchain) Have a question? Call the IoT Podcast hotline at 512.623.7424 and get an answer! The post Episode 129: Apple’s missing IoT news and adding blockchain to the energy grid appeared first on IoT Podcast - Internet of Things.

14 Sep 201753min

Grab your headset for a special bonus edition of the Internet of Things Podcast from the CEDIA show floor in San Diego. Last week I attended the show, which is aimed at the professional AV installer market to understand what’s hot, what’s not and how the business of home automation will evolve. I saw some beautiful televisions and more light switches than I even knew existed, while I walked away despairing of ever getting the smart home experience right. This OLED screen is actually two OLED screens mounted back-to-back in a sheet of glass. It costs $20,000 and is designed for high-end retail. I spoke with Julie Jacobson, the founding editor of CEPro to find out what she thought was cool, met with Tim McInery of Savant to talk about the benefits consumer tech has on the installer business and asked Richard Gunther of the Digital Media Zone to explain the changes in business models. I also interviewed the CEO of Josh.ai to understand why the smart home industry has progressed so slowly, and talked to Ragan Mena, the president of Audio Zeal, a custom installer to see what toys he was excited about. He did like the Josh Micro, which enables voice access for older custom systems. This entire episode was sponsored by Ring, which is offering discounts on bundles of home security items to both consumers and pro installers. Visit www.ring.com/stacey to learn more. Stacey’s highlights and news (0:45) Julie Jacobson of CEPro on trends and cool stuff (10:25) Tim McInerney of Savant on the benefit consumer tech has for installers (14:40) Richard Gunther of The Digital Media Zone discussing the custom installer business model (16:20) Ragan Mena, president of Audio Zeal explain how he decides what consumer tech to use (22:00) Alex Capecelatro, of Josh.ai on why Crestron, Control4 and others have a hard time competing against consumer tech (25:10) The post Everything you need to know from CEDIA appeared first on IoT Podcast - Internet of Things.

11 Sep 201726min