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

Get the bottom line on the Bluetooth 5 specification with Kevin and I in this week’s podcast. If radios aren’t your thing, then delve into the details of connected lights and new features with Amazon Echo and Google Home. We also talk about GE’s new Alexa concept light. (We think it’s strange-looking). We also cover the end of Pebble, the new Amazon Go store and a new energy monitoring device. What do you guys think of this new Alexa-enabled lamp from GE? After the news, I chat with Peter Zornio, Chief Strategic Officer at Emerson Process Management. His company has been thinking about the internet of things for almost a decade and Emerson is currently offering new services based on connected sensors. Zornio explains how switching from a product to a service changes the company’s sales cycles, accounting, contracts and more. He also discusses the issue of security and the industrial internet, and how the internet of things “brand” is being damaged by recent attacks. Hosts: Stacey Higginbotham and Kevin Tofel Guest: Peter Zornio of Emerson Sponsors: Samsung ARTIK and Skybell (use code IOTPODCAST25) Bluetooth 5 is out! How to delete your voice recordings from Amazon Echo and Google Home Goodbye Pebble (I still want my Core) How to figure out which product can become a service How your sales team and contracts will change in the IoT world The post Episode 88: Bluetooth 5 and testing lights on Echo and Google Home appeared first on IoT Podcast - Internet of Things.

8 Dec 201656min

Gosh, it’s another week and another show that features security. We kick it off with this week’s news that features ransomware, botnets and a report from the Department of Homeland security discussing the internet of things. Kevin and I then touch on Intel’s new IoT chief and new Automated Driving Group as well as a bunch of Amazon Echo news. Finally, I discuss my impressions of the IFTTT integration with the Kevo lock and gripe about some frustrating sales practices by August. The August doorbell cam courtesy of August. It’s not all complaints on the show. My guest this week is Nick Feamster, the co-editor of a report out last week by a non-partisan group of technical experts focused on how to secure the internet of things. Feamster offers some tangible suggestions and directions where the industry can play a more active and helpful role. We discuss everything from how to create over the air updates that can be authenticated to how to create new types of routers to improve home IoT security. Hosts: Stacey Higginbotham and Kevin Tofel Guest: Nick Feamster, professor of computer science at Princeton Sponsors: Samsung ARTIK and Bluetooth The future may have more cyber extortion than cyber warfare Intel’s new automated driving boss is the same as the old (IoT) boss You shouldn’t claw back functionality on a connected device for a fee Want to secure IoT? Start with routers Should your ISP help secure connected devices? The post Episode 87: We’ll govern the internet of things with mob rules appeared first on IoT Podcast - Internet of Things.

1 Dec 201650min

‘Tis almost the season to offer gifts large and small for the loved ones in your life. In the podcast, Kevin and I focus mostly on larger gifts, because once you add connectivity the price takes a big jump. We also discuss Black Friday deals. Vibhu Norby, the CEO of B8ta, is on the show to share some of his gift picks. They range from $3,000 (get two!) to $30. Hopefully we can inspire you if you’re shopping for a tech-friendly family member or friend. Norby also discusses a new way of thinking about retail and what sells in the connected device category. The B8ta store in Palo Alto. Hosts: Kevin Tofel and Stacey Higginbotham Guests: Vibhu Norby, CEO of B8ta Sponsors: Samsung ARTIK and Bluetooth Gifts mentioned on this week’s show: Wearables for fitness: Fitbit Charge 2 (If you want to learn more about FitBits, there are plenty of information pages online) Apple Watch 2 for iOS owners Polar M600 for Android owners For the home: Circle from Disney Logitech Pop buttons Sense sleep monitor Osram tunable light bulbs Stack lighting Nucleus intercom system For fun: Roli Blocks Microsoft HoloLens For the car: Nonda fast charger Automatic Pro w/ 3G For the kitchen: June oven Juicero (If you are in the market for this, check out B8ta on Black Friday) For the kids: The Amazon Echo Dot (second generation) Loog guitar Osmo game system Kano computer kit The post Episode 86: The Internet of Things Podcast gift guide appeared first on IoT Podcast - Internet of Things.

23 Nov 201657min

We recorded last week’s podcast before the election results came out, so this week Kevin and I kick off the show with some thoughts on what Trump means for smart homes and the industrial internet. Then we hit gadgets hard with news about Eero routers getting a big update, the trouble with Google’s troubleshooting and resolution for my Google Home issue. I review the June oven, discuss new security from Z-wave and we answer a reader question on smart bulbs versus smart switches. I also discovered a Wi-Fi leak sensor that’s worth a look. The June oven is recognizing my asparagus. Then we started in on locks. This week’s guest is Rob Martens, a futurist at Allegion (Schlage). He discusses when a device becomes a service, the challenges of being open and security in both a digital and physical world. He also shares his thoughts on the role of futurists for anyone who is angling for that job. Enjoy the show. Hosts: Stacey Higginbotham and Kevin Tofel Guest: Rob Martens, futurist at Allegion Sponsors: Bluetooth and Samsung ARTIK Why Kevin wants to buy an electric vehicle for Christmas Your Eero routers are about to get a 2X improvement Smart bulb or smart switch? Why not both? Explaining the future is hard work Yes, there is a sledgehammer test! The post Episode 85: Thoughts on Trump, smart locks and troubleshooting appeared first on IoT Podcast - Internet of Things.

17 Nov 20161h 1min

The Google Home arrived this week and I detail a few first impressions here. Kevin Tofel and I also came up with a sneaky way to control a wider variety of devices using If This Then That and the Google Home. We kicked off the show talking about the recent hack of the Philips Hue light bulbs and then covered the Nest appliance news. We also discussed a new mindfulness device I’m testing, Talkies, a way to connect with your kids, and Bixi a gesture-controlled button. The Spire mindfulness tracker feels like an oxymoron. Image courtesy of Spire. The next half of the show features Rammohan Malasani, the CEO of Securifi, which makes the Almond Router, discussing how the Wi-Fi demands in the home are changing, how to secure routers and why consumers may never buy a smart home hub. We also talk about adoption rates and what he’s learned in four years of selling the idea of a smart home. Enjoy. Hosts: Stacey Higginbotham and Kevin Tofel Guest: Rammohan Malasani, founder and CEO of Securifi Sponsors: Samsung ARTIK and Bluetooth First impressions of the Google Home Philips bulbs (and ZigBee lights in general) are vulnerable Check out Spire, a wearable for mindfulness Why combine a router with a home hub? How many devices are on your network? The post Episode 84: Google Home is in the house! appeared first on IoT Podcast - Internet of Things.

10 Nov 201652min

This week’s podcast is light on the smart home and heavy on the infrastructure required to make the internet of things work. Kevin and I explain why Qualcomm’s $37 billion buy of NXP makes sense, the details behind NB-IoT, which is yet another low power wireless network and how Microsoft is stepping up to protect security for the internet of things. Speaking of security, we also talk briefly about Netatmo’s new outdoor security camera as well as the best cheap wireless security camera money can buy. For fun, I talk about my visit to the B8ta store in Palo Alto, which was a connected gadget lover’s dream. The new Netatmo Presence camera uses image recognition to tell what’s outside your house. It retails for $299. After all this, I bring out the second of my two security interviews, Brian Knopf, who is the director of security research at Neustar. Knopf has a deep history in working security for connected devices have worked at Belkin and Wink. We talk a bit about the challenges exposed by the Mirai botnet and what consumers should look for in connected devices. Some people may also find that having security measures on their property can help lower their home insurance rates. If you have these installed, there is no reason to wait for coverage, as you can look online to find the one that suits your needs best. In the meantime, enjoy the show! Hosts: Stacey Higginbotham and Kevin Tofel Guest: Brian Knopf, director of security for Neustar Sponsors: ARM and AtlasRFID (Use coupon code IOTPODCAST) Qualcomm needed NXP for cars, customers and a new sales plan Microsoft’s the first to create an IoT security service The best store for gadget fiends No one wants to pay for security Steps the industry must take to protect security The post Episode 83: Merger mania, more outdoor cameras and security galore! appeared first on IoT Podcast - Internet of Things.

3 Nov 201646min

Security was the big topic this week after a massive botnet comprised of connected devices disrupted many popular internet services. I hated the thought of all connected devices coming under attack, so I wrote a bit about the realities of IoT security here and also here. As part of my effort to understand what was going on I interviewed Andy Ellis, Akamai’s chief security officer about what happened last week, why it matters and the challenges of making people pay for security. Three Nucleus devices costs $600. Kevin Tofel and I mentioned security but then dove into a discussion of the new HomeKit-enabled Bluetooth light switch from Elgato, the new tricks from the Amazon Echo and a few chip stories. ARM launched an IoT cloud service, while Intel launched a new Atom chip. Then Kevin shared a convenient home automation that makes his family feel safer, and I review the Nucleus video intercom platform. It’s a fun show. Hosts: Stacey Higginbotham and Kevin Tofel Guest: Andy Ellis, CSO at Akamai Sponsors: ARM and Hewlett Packard Enterprise Where do we stand on Bluetooth lights? Things are getting weird in the chip world The Nucleus is a good devices for low-tech homes or people Learn the one devices that may enhance your IoT security The internet of things has an externalities challenge The post Episode 82: IoT botnets and the Nucleus intercom review appeared first on IoT Podcast - Internet of Things.

27 Okt 201651min

The second version of the Wink hub, complete with an Ethernet connection, Bluetooth and a $99 price tag is out, and I started testing it. The good news so far for folks who have existing Wink gear is in this week’s show, along with my take on the new, richer color Philips Hue bulbs. For those seeking the latest in thermostats, we discuss the new, cheaper Ecobee Lite, the Honeywell Lyric T5 for $149 and Nest’s need to the lower its pricing. (We also discussed the new Eco nomenclature). Kevin Tofel shared his impressions so far on Google Assistant, and we’re all still waiting for Google Home. After that, Michael Wolf, creator of the Smart Kitchen Summit and host of The Smart Home Show talked with me about his vision of the connected kitchen, some of the latest gadgets on offer for that segment and food waste. In the show I mention my anti-food waste recipes, so here they are for y’all (Minestrone and Weeknight Curry). Just chuck your old produce in one of these and feel virtuous. Hosts: Stacey Higginbotham and Kevin Tofel Guest: Michael Wolf, The Smart Home Show and the Smart Kitchen Summit Sponsors: ARM and Hewlett Packard Enterprise Only one hiccup with my Wink hub transfer I’m all in on Philips Hue Google Assistant is no Amazon Alexa (yet) Is the smart kitchen ready for the harried chef? The best kitchen gadget buying advice The post Episode 81: Reviewing the Wink Hub 2 and new gear from Philips Hue appeared first on IoT Podcast - Internet of Things.

20 Okt 201644min