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'Bits' and 'Things' the Latest Devices to Bring IoT/M2M Connectivity for 'Dumb' Appliances

'Bits' and 'Things' the Latest Devices to Bring IoT/M2M Connectivity for 'Dumb' Appliances Image Credit: littleBits

With the advent of Internet-of-Things/Machine-to-Machine(M2M), are all the existing un-connected appliances we have today on their way out? Will we be seeing stores phasing out all the older, 'dumber' appliances, regardless of their top-range functionalities, because these appliances are not connected, and hence cannot take or give 'orders' from humans and other machines/devices?

Maybe not. Just earlier this month, Telefonica launched its 'Thinking Things', which are modular devices that connect to the internet and, via sensors/readers installed in each 'thing', can read the environment and transmit information to the cloud. The 'Thinking Things' are also able to receive information or 'orders' which enable them to control the settings on the end appliance, such as turning the temperature up for the thermostat, switching on and switching off an electrical device, starting a 'spin' cycle on a washing machine and turning on the lights in the porch.

Also this month, Grid Connect, another company in the IoT/M2M space unveiled its Smart Outlet which is an electrical outlet (where one plugs in an electrical appliance) that brings remote monitoring and control capabilities across otherwise unconnected appliances. According to Grid Connect, the smart outlets which are connected to Wi-Fi and cellular can be used to power on and power off a wide range of electrical appliances and can also be used to set up rules, notifications and schedules. Using the 'If This Than That'-style programming, two or more commands can be linked to each other allowing users to execute a program such as 'turn on the heater when garage door opens'.

Recently, littleBits, another company in this space launched its littleBits Smart Home Kit, which provides similar connectivity modules for un-connected appliances. Like others in this space, littleBits leverages its cloud, the cloudBit from which information is received and transmitted to, allowing end users to control their appliances remotely on their mobile devices using littleBits apps. According to littleBits, the number of connected homes in the US will surpass 31 million with the industry poised to become a USD$71 billion by 2018. The company said that its Smart Home Kit comes with 14 'Bits' including the MP3 player, Threshold, Number, Temperature Sensor, and IR transmitter. Also included is an infographic poster with 14 project ideas and 11 accessories - including the AC switch, which connects the littleBits 5V system to AC power (110V). 

These new breed of connected 'things' or 'bits' and 'controls' are allowing almost every device to attain the status of being internet-connected. With easy to download-and-use apps that come with these devices, they are becoming a very attractive alternative to embedded or integrated M2M technologies. In fact, these M2M agents are allowing cross communication between appliances of different brands and provide the fastest way to build a whole new connected ecosystem for buildings and homes. One of the key feature for these type of solutions is the modular design that allows users to buy, assemble and install connectivity on a functionality basis, adding more 'bits' or 'things' everytime they want to control an additional attribute. 

Ayah Bdeir, founder and CEO of littleBits
Our mission is to put the power of electronics in the hands of everyone, and to break down complex technologies so that anyone can build, prototype, and invent. Democratizing the smart home industry is one more step in delivering on that promise. The Smart Home Kit is giving people the power and opportunity to take the Internet of Things movement into their own hands, and bring their home to the 21st century, on their own terms. Now you can recreate a popular smart device, retrofit an old appliance, or invent something entirely new that may be the next big thing.

Author

Executive Editor and Telecoms Strategist at The Fast Mode | 5G | IoT/M2M | Telecom Strategy | Mobile Service Innovations 

Tara Neal heads the strategy & editorial unit at The Fast Mode, focusing on latest technologies such as gigabit broadband, 5G, cloud-native networking, edge computing, virtualization, software-defined networking and network automation as well as broader telco segments such as IoT/M2M, CX, OTT services and network security. Tara holds a First Class Honours in BSc Accounting and Finance from The London School of Economics, UK and is a CFA charterholder from the CFA Institute, United States. Tara has over 22 years of experience in technology and business strategy, and has earlier served as project director for technology and economic development projects in various management consulting firms.

Follow Tara Neal on Twitter @taraneal11, LinkedIn @taraneal11, Facebook or email her at tara.neal@thefastmode.com.

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