IoT So Far.

Have been following IoT now for three years. And it is still too soon to say how it will all play out. Here are a few observations though...

The billions of device predictions are correct in their own way, but one can credit the original RFID IoT banner carriers with making that prediction twenty years ago. Logistics (having perhaps the smallest motes of IoT and widest field) has always been a great place for automation, and it is no where near over. And if one allows handheld devices (phones and tablets) to fall under IoT (some do not) then clearly.

Sensor and analytics players contend (though admittedly it is self serving *grin*) that the only really new parts of IoT are sensors (new ways of sensing) and analytics (new ways of understanding). These can both be covered by the two different definitions of "seeing" and thus the single banner of "Seeing the Unseen". And they are the extreme ends of the chain that one can call IoT.

What of everything in between? Contentious, but not innovative. Technology in LAN, WAN, databases, aggregation, platforms, visualizations - are all well understood.

So some idea of who will prosper? And for what..

• IBM IoT. Because they are IBM.
• AWS IoT. Price. Open to all comers.
• Microsoft Azure IoT. Compatibility.
• Google. Search.
• Apple. Style.
• Xively. Security.
• Thingworx. Mashup. Design.

And some in well entrenched verticals who roll their own:

• GE Industrial.
• Auto manufacturers.
• Aerospace.

Or who are new and forward looking and for whom it will "just be"... in AI, AR, VR, Robotics.

Best Internet of Things IoT Blogs.

Went looking for a list (even if just opinion) of the best blogs for Internet of Things, IoT. Had criteria that it be reasonably outward looking, agnostic and current. Did not exactly find what sought. But some related things...

Best IoT Twitter accounts from Link Labs. Postscapes seems to come up often. Some general trend watchers have some good IoT materials like PSFK. There are some personal opinions, which sometimes lead back to trend watchers and consultants like McKinsey. Big companies, of course, come up on search for best IoT blogs - Microsoft, Intel, IBM, Cisco, Bosch, PTC, and so on. Some smaller entities come out too like Stephenson (local in Massachusetts), Adafruit (prototyping supplier).

IoT Infographics.

Intel Platform Transforming data into insight is the essence of analytics.
Libelium Smart world and the connectedness of all things.
IoT World Landscape and Players in IoT. Matt Turck, First Mark Capital.
Microsoft Azure IoT Platform Slides page 11 most notably - but see also lead-in material.

Minimal portable PC – USB3, HDMI, 10G Ethernet, 5V (internal battery), 10G RAM, 100G SSD, Under 1kg, Under 15W.

Had previously sought a minimal PC.

http://albertputnam.blogspot.com/2010/12/small-portable-brick-computer-without.html

Still looking.

And, okay, will take an integrated display if one is forced into the package. This is almost a reality with the Microsoft Surface and related tablets. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_Pro_2

USB3 but sadly no devoted Ethernet... but via USB3 is possible.

CuBox is close but not USB3 (yet?). And not yet well Windows supported. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CuBox

But it is very much within technical reach to meet the specs. Staying rather firm about no WiFi, Bluetooth, nor other wireless. Want the assurance of physically disconnecting those interfaces. See separate blog on WiFi tracking.

http://albertputnam.blogspot.com/2013/11/wifi-tracking-any-rf-tracking.html

Basically run full latest modern OSes with all I/O (except network and video and those “could” be USB3 too – if the OSes could accept the USB3 devices at boot).  To repeat:

- Ethernet (up to Gigabit speeds – maybe 10G)

- USB 3

- HDMI

- 6hr+ battery. No fan.

- Form factor of small brick like book/tablet. Under one kg.

- Power over Ethernet (PoE) 802.3af, or power from a USB outlet.

- 8+G Memory, 100+G SSD, i7 based?