Monday, January 20, 2014

The Internet of Everything

The Internet of Things involves connecting all kinds of objects to the internet such that the can yield and receive data. This would include cars, motorboats, televisions, coffee makers, roads, - you name it.

The Internet of Everything (IoE) extends this to include the connectivity and systems that enable those things to be integrated, monitored and managed. So says Cisco, the purveyor of connectivity and proponent of the Internet of Everything.

The IoE has a lot of potential. For example, consider interconnecting all the infrastructure of a city, including the water, sewer, power, roads, parking spots, bridges, garbage cans, dumpsters, - everything. Then think about the efficiencies that could be achieved by having real time data from those things to analyze so that resources can be directed to them when needed - and only when needed. Garbage can be collected only when the containers are full to a certain level, sewers pumped clear in areas where they start to back up, emergency crews given the best route to their destination on a moments notice. People could find the best parking spot when they need it. (And the cars will be able to drive themselves there and park themselves).

The Internet of Everything will revolutionize the way we live in cities. Some of it is already here, but the IoE extends the degree of connectivity and the ability to manage the components such that they become integrated into our daily lives. We will see IoE strategies being adopted by cities over the next few years. It's already started, given the example of Barcelona, Spain which has begun implementation with interesting results. Others are sure to follow. For more on Cisco's vision, check out this report.

Friday, January 17, 2014

Ignoring Social Media Not an Option for Companies

A survey conducted by Grant Thornton and Financial Executives Research Foundation on the uses that companies are making of social media found that 55% feel social media will be an important component of corporate marketing efforts going forward and 66% see their company's use of social media increasing over the next 12 months. Most agree that social media is a fact of life for companies and must be addressed. On the other hand, most do not yet have policies on its use.

Companies are using Linkedin the most, with Twitter and Facebook following closely.

Use of social media extends well beyond marketing now, into all areas of corporate communications, including recruiting, customer care and investor relations (the latter is not mentioned in the report).

Social media is an integral part of some companies' communications strategy, and ultimately this will be the norm.

For the report, please go to the Grant Thornton site.

Thursday, January 09, 2014

Your Newest Android Device - The Automobile

Google has announced the formation of the Open Automotive Alliance (OAA), which is a consortium to advance the automation of automobiles. Their prime objective is to have their Android operation system adopted as the technological backbone for cars.

The OAA initially has representation from the automobile industry; specifically General Motors, Honda and Hyundai and Audi.

The potential is enormous. Cars already have extensive technology, but that technology is diverse and not necessarily coordinated. For example, the engines and drive trains are extensively automated. Just try finding out what's wrong with your car without a diagnostic machine from the dealership. it's expensive and inconvenient. Just think if you could use your phone of tablet to access your car and do your own diagnostic.

Or how about linking together the GPS, road sensors, telephone and entertainment systems? All on a system that is standard, upgradable and widely used.

it would actually reduce the risk of hacking because a standardized automotive system could be built so as to forestall the known hacker threats.

And Google is the leader in self drive autos, which are the future, and the Android system could play a role in operating these systems. For example, you could plot your route the night before on your android device, and then upload it to your car. when you leave the next day, lean back and read a good book along the way - on your Android.

The OAAs website is at http://www.openautoalliance.net


Friday, January 03, 2014

SDCs on the Way

Self Driving Cars (SDCs) have been announced for production by some of the big car makers by 2020 and are being predicted to reach the mainstream by 2035 with around 12 million cars on the roads by that year. There are various kinds of SDC in the planning stage, basically ranging in the degree to which they are actually capable of driving without driver intervention. Gradually, of course, they will proceed to the point where little or no intervention is required. A recent study also predicts that by 2050, most of the cars and commercial vehicles on the road will be SDCs.

Kind of scary when you think abut it - eighteen wheelers charging down the road without a driver on board. But then we already have jumbo jets that can fly and land themselves and we don't worry much about that -don't even think about it much. One difference however is that the jets have pilots on board to take over when things go wrong. With the trucks, this would be the situation for quite a while as well, but there is a likelihood that eventually the drivers will be phased out.

Lots of implications of SDCs, social, business and otherwise. Here's one article on the subject.