Minnov8

Showcasing Minnesota Technology Innovation

Honeywell Takes On Google’s Nest

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honeywell-nestMany articles about Honeywell’s new Lyric thermostat and this one from Time give a great overview:

When it comes to the Smart Thermostat Wars (is that a thing yet?), there’s no love lost between Honeywell and Google-owned Nest. The high-profile Nest Learning Thermostat triggered a nasty patent scuffle back in 2012, when longtime thermostat behemoth Honeywell went after Nest over several claimed patent infringements.

Fast forward to today, and Honeywell is rolling out its own smart thermostat, the $279 Lyric. It’ll actually be part of a broader network of home automation devices, also fitting under the Lyric moniker, but the thermostat will be the first device in the line. It’ll be available now-ish from Honeywell’s home contractor partners, and in August from Lowe’s.

Read the Time article…

SmartThings Accelerates Their Platform

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smartthings-new-platformSmartThings has just released a new iOS app (with Android following next week) that takes advantage of several of their changes to accelerate the SmartThings platform and create a new “app experience”:

Today is an exciting day for SmartThings customers and anyone who’s ever wanted to create a smart home. We’ve just unveiled an enhanced app experience that offers you one place to find, discover, and connect everything you need to customize a home that automatically reacts to your preferences.

Those of you who have followed us from our early Kickstarter days know that it’s always been our goal to create an open platform for the Internet of Things, and this announcement is a very important step toward realizing that long-term vision.

While the app experience has become much better, for those of us fully invested in SmartThings already having them widen their ecosystem with a new certification process is very exciting. This new certification is already widening the number of compatible products for a SmartThings hub:

From locks and lighting solutions, to stereo systems and thermostats, there are already many companies inventing smart home devices. Some of the most valuable things that will one day fill our homes have likely not even been invented yet. At SmartThings, we’re embracing this wave of innovation and have created a new team lead by Kelly Liang to expand the list of devices that are certified as working with SmartThings.

The program introduces multiple levels of certification and compatibility with SmartThings and is designed to offer consumers greater confidence that the products they’re integrating with SmartThings will work properly. Once certified, these products will join our list of more than 100 approved and compatible devices from popular manufacturers like GE/Jasco, Honeywell, Kwikset, Aeon, and others that are discoverable within the SmartThings app.

Check out the post and video to learn more.

IoT Is Real & Already Here

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iotAny of us paying attention to technology know that The Internet of Things is already well underway. But, like the internet itself back in the 1990s, excitement and hyperbole could threaten its adoption due to wildly overoptimistic reporting.

Though many companies like Cisco, IBM and even consulting firm McKinsey & Co. are all touting a $14 trillion market size within a decade or so, many of us struggle with exactly where that kind of revenue will be generated with products and services.

Pew Research Internet Project just released a report called, “The Internet of Things Will Thrive by 2025: Many experts say the rise of embedded and wearable computing will bring the next revolution in digital technology.”

Some 1,606 experts responded to the following question: The evolution of embedded devices and the Internet/Cloud of Things—As billions of devices, artifacts, and accessories are networked, will the Internet of Things have widespread and beneficial effects on the everyday lives of the public by 2025?

Eighty-three percent of these experts answered “yes” and 17% answered “no.”

Pretty impressive and this space is something Minnov8 believes will be one of the most profound opportunities in technology in the next 15 years, especially as more of the product and service opportunities become clearer.

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john-rashThen in this morning’s Minneapolis StarTribune, John Rash had this opinion piece that is one of the best, non-hyperbolic and solid overviews of IoT I’ve seen yet. Rash writes the Rash Report column for the ‘Strib’ and is also an editorial writer and a member of its Editorial Board. He also teaches mass media and politics at the University of Minnesota.

Two visions of the future come to mind when considering the new Pew Research Center study about “The Internet of Things.” One is the 2013 dystopian novel “The Circle,” Dave Eggers’ claustrophobic tome about a social network so insidious it becomes a societal noose.

The other is the recent retrospective of 1964’s seminal World’s Fair in New York, during the age of the space race (and “The Jetsons”), when technological transformations were thought to solve, not create, problems.

The future turned out differently than seers imagined 50 years ago, as it always does. With any luck (and common sense), the dark vision of “The Circle” won’t square with Americans seeking to preserve privacy.

And it’s likely that the future envisioned in the Pew report will defy some expectations, too.

Give it a read. It will help you view IoT as the opportunity it is and not just the hype.

Net Neutrality Opposition Accelerates

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fcc-logoOpposition to the FCC’s proposed new rules on net neutrality is growing and respected technology voices seem to agree that the internet as we know it is in jeopardy. (UPDATE: FCC Denies Desertion of Net Neutrality).

It’s an understatement to say that internet-savvy people are opposing this idea and this opposition is accelerating. Imagine the nascent Internet of Things space working only for those companies that can afford to pay for fast access to a consumer’s home (so their “things” can talk to a server easily). Or, while most of us love Netflix, what if an up-and-coming movie startup wanted to compete? Unless they could pony up big bucks for peering arrangements with major internet service providers, their service would always be inferior to Netflix (or the on-demand offerings by the cable providers, who own the servers directly connected to their network!).

If you care about an open internet that stays a level playing field and continues to drive innovation, you will find two ways to get involved below. Ways which will take you only a few minutes of your time.

eff-logoFederal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler is circulating a proposal for new FCC rules on the issue of network neutrality, the idea that Internet service providers (ISPs) should treat all data that travels over their networks equally.

— Electronic Frontier Foundation: FCC’s New Rules Could Threaten Net Neutrality

wsj-logoNot exactly a staunch defender of internet freedoms or anything “open”, The Wall Street Journal was the first news organization to break the story on the proposed FCC rules, “Regulators are proposing new rules on Internet traffic that would allow broadband providers to charge companies a premium for access to their fastest lanes.”

— The Wall Street Journal: FCC to Propose New ‘Net Neutrality’ Rules

verge-logo“Political cowardice set the FCC up to lose its first battle for net neutrality regulation: the rules that keep the internet as you know it free and open. The idea of net neutrality is that all traffic is created equal — whether it’s a movie streaming from Netflix, or a WhatsApp message, or a Tweet, or a round of Titanfall. But according to a report from the Wall Street Journal, the FCC is now considering new rules that tear down the fundamental principle of net neutrality. The proposal would allow profit-hungry behemoths like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon to become gatekeepers that give preferential treatment to companies that pay the most for special access to internet users.“

— The Verge: It’s time for the FCC to stand up for Americans

TWO WAYS TO MAKE
YOUR VOICE HEARD

wh-petition

1) Sign the petition at WhiteHouse.gov here: 

About the Petition: Maintain true net neutrality to protect the freedom of information in the United States.

True net neutrality means the free exchange of information between people and organizations. Information is key to a society’s well being. One of the most effective tactics of an invading military is to inhibit the flow of information in a population; this includes which information is shared and by who. Today we see this war being waged on American citizens.

Recently the FCC has moved to redefine “net neutrality” to mean that corporations and organizations can pay to have their information heard, or worse, the message of their competitors silenced. We as a nation must settle for nothing less than complete neutrality in our communication channels. This is not a request, but a demand by the citizens of this nation. No bandwidth modifications of information based on content or its source.

 

save-internet

2) Take action at Freepress’ Save The Internet page here:

“The Federal Communications Commission is proposing rules that would kill — rather than protect — Net Neutrality and allow rampant discrimination online. Under these rules, telecom giants like AT&T, Comcast and Verizon would be able to pick winners and losers online and discriminate against online content and applications. We must stop the FCC from moving forward with these rules.”


LEARN MORE

Also, let us know in the comments what YOU think about net neutrality and these proposed new rules from the FCC.

IoT World Forum in Chicago This October

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iotwf-chicagoCisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) is the company that drove the first Internet of Things World Forum and the second annual event will be held in Chicago this October (registration is not yet live).

Since this event will be held so close to us (vs. in another country like last year!), if you have any interest in the Internet of Things you owe it to yourself to attend.

What is the IoT World Forum? “The Internet of Things World Forum (IoT WF) is an annual event that brings together the best and brightest thinkers, practitioners, and innovators from business, government, and academia to accelerate the Internet of Things. Last year’s inaugural event in Barcelona was attended by a capacity crowd of 800 delegates and 16 sponsors and was headlined by more than 100 speakers, immediately establishing the IoTWF as the premier leadership forum in this rapidly emerging Internet of Things industry.”

Follow the hashtag #IoTWF (e.g., Twitter search here) to stay abreast of developments surrounding this event.

SmartThings Founder Sees Limitless IoT

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washpost-futureofthingsSmartThings CEO Alex Hawkinson was at the Washington Post’s “All Things Connected” forum and had a chance to demo the app and some ‘things’ this past week. He joined Senator Richard Blumenthal, FTC Commissioner Maureen K. Ohlhausen, and a host of other entrepreneurs at the Washington Post’s forum on Tuesday in Washington, DC.

SmartThings’ blog called ReImagine Real wrote up this post on the event and shot this brief video about Hawkinson’s demo:

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computerworldAs a quick sidenote, Computerworld had this great writeup on the genesis of SmartThings and what compelled Hawkinson to get involved in, what promises to be, the next great adventure in technology: the Internet of Things.

MMTC Keynoters Announced

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MobileMarchTC-logoMinnesota’s oldest and best attended mobile event, Mobile March Twin Cities (MMTC), just announced their full lineup of keynote speakers for this year’s event.

New this year is a Connected Device track which will cover the acceleration in Internet of Things and the software and hardware driving it forward. This is in addition to the business and technical tracks which are packed with presentations and learning opportunities.

The full press release is below…

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 10, 2014

CONTACT:
Phil Wilson
612-743-7860
phil@remaincomm.com

Mobile March 2014 Keynote Speakers Announced

Speakers from Microsoft and Spark Highlight Mobile and Connected Devices

Minneapolis, MN – Mobile March organizers today announced the keynote speakers for the 5th Annual Mobile March, Minnesota’s longest running mobile conference. Jacquelyn Crowhurst, Sr. Director, Central Region Developer & Platform Evangelism at Microsoft will kick off the multi-track conference and Zach Supalla, CEO of Spark, a locally based company providing tools for connected hardware, will anchor the afternoon sessions. Mobile March includes the now familiar Business, Development and Design tracks as well as the new sessions highlighting connected devices. Tickets are now on sale for the March 20th, 2014 event at the Earle Brown Heritage Center in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Park.

Jacquelyn Crowhurst’s keynote will leverage her evangelism background to share insight on taking mobility from a cost of doing business to differentiating your business.  She will touch on topics such as the role cloud plays in mobile, how monetization and mobile ROI is evolving, and the future of mobility. Zach Supalla of Spark, a local startup providing tools to connect devices to the Internet via Wi-Fi, will address the conference following lunch. His presentation will highlight the natural evolution of mobile as a point of control for the growing Internet of Things.

Mobile March organizer Phil Wilson noted, “Both Jacquelyn and Zach bring a wealth of knowledge and unique experiences to Mobile March. Though we are a mobile-centric conference, we look forward to addressing both mobile and connected devices; topics that the mobile community think are most important.” Co-organizer, Justin Grammens, added, “With the advent of low cost sensors, hardware and open source software, it’s becoming increasingly easy to build solutions based on the physical world. As mobile enthusiasts, we view this as the next phase in computing.”

Other highlights of the 2014 agenda include Business-centric sessions on the topics of mobile marketing via video, mobile search and more. The Mobile Development and Design tracks include sessions on developing in Xamarin, and node.js, wireframes, human-centered design and more. Topics in the new Connected Device track will include Google Glass, and other wearable technology, Arduino and more. A complete agenda will be released within a week.

Registration is now open for Mobile March, Thursday March 20th, 2014 at the Earle Brown Heritage Center via the Mobile March website at www.mobilemarchtc.com or directly through http://mobilemarch2014.eventbrite.com/ The cost of registration is just $115 and includes all meals. Student discounts are available as well.

About Mobile March
Founded in 2010, Mobile March is an event dedicated to exploring the latest in mobile technology and trends. According to founders Justin Grammens, Phil Wilson and Linda Cummings, the name Mobile March not only denotes the month in which it takes place, it also emphasizes the ongoing advancement and growth of mobile technology and the related lifestyle.

By offering content that appeals to mobile developers, business people, and users we hope to facilitate a greater understanding between the constituencies that make mobile happen.  Whether you make money with mobile or just use it to stay connected, we invite you to join us for Mobile March.

Event sponsors include: Hyper IQ, Livefront, Microsoft and ITR Mobility

SmartThings’ New Clean & Slick App

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smartthings-new-ios7

Making certain it is simple to setup and configure ‘things’ that connect to a SmartThings hub, the company yesterday rolled our their new iOS 7 application (iTunes app store link). They also made certain to alert their Android customers that one is coming for that platform as well within weeks.

While the previous app worked well—especially after an update a few weeks ago that squashed a few bugs—this new version hits the sweet-spot for taking SmartThings to the next level with the average consumer.

It is significantly easier to use and much more logical and intuitive than the old layout. While the ‘old’ access to things and apps remains, the new layout provides several higher level functions:

Dashboard
Laid out in a very clean and straightforward way, all one’s things in the home can be grouped in Home & Family, Doors & Locks, Lights & Switches, and Danger & Damages (and coming soon: Motion & Cameras and Comfort).

Hello, Home
This functionality lets you customize your home to react to your unique daily patterns, and also tell it what you’re up to so it can adapt when your plans and routines change.

Activity Feed
While one could poke around previously to discover the log stream of activity, now it is simple to view what is happening with all of your connected things: When the go on and off; which thing triggered another thing; and so on.

Another significant development, and one I’ve not yet read anywhere, is that SmartThings is in distribution and not just selling everything themselves at the SmartThings Shop. While searching for z-wave compatible items at Amazon the other day, I suddenly noticed quite a number of SmartThings items appearing like this one. This is a good move by the company and, in two conversations I’ve had with home audio/video/alarm installers I know in the past month, both are looking at home automation and the Internet of Things very seriously.  All of this bodes well for SmartThings going forward.

Great app that has made using SmartThings significantly more enjoyable since yesterday and the bonus? Two newbies in my family understand how to use it with NO COACHING by me!

Verizon Wireless Launches ‘Destination Store’

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verizonlogoVerizon Wireless launched a new, very large “Destination Store” strategy today at the Mall of America. At nearly 10,000 square feet, this facility is an impressive footprint that is stocked full of the latest gadgets and technologies.

It opens tomorrow to the general public at 10am at 7pm Wednesday, November 20th after an appearance by pop star Selena Gomez.

The store was broken up in to areas Verizon has dubbed, “mobile lifestyle zones” which are staffed by specialists they’ve trained. The zones include these at the moment though Verizon’s EVP & COO, Marni Walden, indicated that the zones would be fluid and dynamic based on the rise and fall of various categories:

  • Amplify It – for music on-the-go
  • Get Fit – for tracking healthy habits
  • Have Fun – for novel tech gadgets
  • Home and on the Go – for home automation
  • Anywhere Business – for simplifying life for travelers and small businesses
  • Customize It – for making a style statement for your smartphone accessory

Directionally this Destination Store concept is a bigger and better version of a store strategy Verizon Wireless has been rolling out for the past year called “Smart Stores.”

With in-store pickup and same day delivery also being offered (which many retail analysts believe is ‘table stakes’ to be in the retail game) they are also going to be offering Wireless Workshops in-store to teach customers about new technologies and get them in to the store. Educating customers on all of these areas, what the gadgets and devices within them can do, is an imperative if mainstream consumers are going to start to buy and use connected devices and “things.”

DISCUSSIONS

Portrait_Shankar_Arumugavelu_lrgI had an opportunity to talk at length with a very personable guy: Shankar Arumugavelu, SVP & CIO for Verizon Wireless. I framed-up my first question by pointing out the various “Home and On the Go” items being shown and for sale: Belkin WeMo; Kwikset lock; Nest thermostat; Philips HUE bulbs. Each of them had their own iOS and Android apps so my question was, “Don’t you think consumers will want ONE, unified platform to integrate and leverage all of these devices?”

He pointed out what his COO colleague had said about the zones being fluid and that they would have to learn what consumers wanted (and what they will actually buy). We discussed several developments in the Internet of Things space, but specifically what seems to be the obvious need for value-added platforms (e.g., Digi’s Device Cloud; SmartThings; ThingWorx; Xively). Without a unifying platform to offer consumers, Verizon Wireless has a big store to sell the individual items you can get at Best Buy or Amazon.

Talking with Mr. Arumugavelu it was pretty clear to me that, once again, those types of thoughts are ahead of the market. Evidence such as SmartThings raising $12.5M from Greylock Partners and Highland Capital and Quirky just raising $30M (some from GE). Quirky’s major partnership with GE just landed them a large end-cap display in Home Depot. These are all developments which prove the market opportunity is huge, but we are still very early on so maybe Verizon Wireless’ Destination Store timing is perfect.

IMPRESSIONS

So what did I think of the store itself? Gorgeous. Huge. Well stocked. Nicely laid out. A store I want to be in when it is open. With 71 people devoted to this new strategy (including “Solutions Managers”; “Experience Specialists”; “Education Specialists;” and others) the possibilities for making it a great experience are clear.

All of that said I’m not certain it is enough. Because of the cost of so many devices—especially the Internet of Things items showcased within the Home zone—people will naturally gravitate toward making strategic investments. Rather than buy and run several “point solutions” each with its own smartphone app, consumers will want ONE app that runs all of the devices they buy at the store and Verizon Wireless doesn’t have an answer for an integrated cloud platform which will encourage consumers to invest there and extend what they buy.

In addition, teaching people about fitness devices, how to turn off lamps with a switch, or use a Square payment device in a small business is interesting, but probably not enough value-add for consumers to want to flock to a Verizon Wireless destination store to buy items they can get elsewhere too.

But I’ve been wrong before: in 1990 I predicted the Mall of America would fail but it sure seems to be doing OK.  😉  In any event you owe it to yourself to go and visit this store since it truly is a destination which you’ll undoubtedly enjoy and you can make up your own mind.

Hover over an image to read its caption or click to view a larger version. In addition you can go here to see a video:

 

Digi’s New XBee® Wi-Fi Cloud Kit

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digi-kitDigi International today announced their new XBee® Wi-Fi Cloud Kit which “Brings the Internet of Things to Everyone.” Their objective with this ‘kit’ is to “Add cloud connectivity to any device or sensor–create your own Internet of Things ASAP.”

Check out their press release below and go to the “XBeeCloud” and see examples here.

New XBee® Wi-Fi Cloud Kit by Digi International
Brings the Internet of Things to Everyone

Add cloud connectivity to any device or sensor–create
your own Internet of Things ASAP (#IoTASAP)

MINNETONKA, Minn., Nov. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Digi International (NASDAQ: DGII) today released the XBee® Wi-Fi Cloud Kit, a development kit that allows anyone to build, connect, and control their own Internet of Things. The kit recently won an Editor’s Choice ribbon at World Maker Faire New York 2013.

Built around Digi’s new XBee Wi-Fi module, which wirelessly connects devices to the cloud, the kit integrates with Device Cloud by Etherios™ using a sample internet-based application, and includes a new development board with sensors, actuators, a USB cable, and a variety of electronic prototyping parts for creating custom circuits.

“The new XBee Wi-Fi Cloud Kit is the fastest and easiest way to explore and develop devices and circuits that connect to the Internet of Things,” said Rob Faludi, chief innovation officer and author of Building Wireless Sensor Networks. “Through its straightforward integration with Device Cloud by Etherios, makers, educators, electronics engineers, software designers, and innovators of all kinds can now create their own Internet of Things through easy-to-use web applications.”

The XBee Wi-Fi Cloud Kit features a sample web application that lets users remotely activate various outputs on the development board including LEDs, a vibration motor, a bar graph gauge and an audio buzzer.

In addition, users can build their own circuits on the development board to sense temperature or light, switch on and off other devices via a relay, turn on and off additional LEDs and more. The web application code is open-source, available for anyone to download and use as a learning tool.

The XBee Wi-Fi Cloud Kit is now available for $149 MSRP. For more information or to buy your kit, visit: http://www.digi.com/xbeecloud. See examples here and take part in the conversation on Twitter with the hashtag #IoTASAP.

About Digi International

Digi International is the machine-to-machine (M2M) expert, combining products and services as end-to-end solutions to drive business efficiencies. Digi offers the widest range of off-the-shelf M2M hardware. Etherios, a division of Digi International and a Salesforce.com platinum partner, helps organizations of all sizes achieve their business goals with capabilities encompassing advisory, CRM, wireless design and M2M services. Etherios also offers cloud-based products, Device Cloud by Etherios and The Social Machine. Together, Digi and Etherios offer the only complete end-to-end M2M solution. More information can be found atwww.digi.com and www.etherios.com.

All brand names and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

SOURCE Digi International

Copyright 2013 PR Newswire

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