The Internet of Things Podcast - Stacey On IoT

In this week’s episode, we start off with speculation about wearables and why we might put the internet of things into clothing . From there we speculate on whether IoT is the new asbestos .  I did this show from ARM’s annual tech conference, where I tried to explain some of the big news from the show, such as ARM opening up its instruction set and the creation of a new automotive cons...

This week we returned to the Amazon announcements from last week , so Kevin and I could share our thoughts in depth. We hit the popular gadgets, Sidewalk and even delved into the smart oven. We also covered funding news for two companies trying to build products for apartment buildings. IOTAS scored $8.5 million while SmartRent raised $32 million . We also discussed Microsoft’s powerful new...

This week’s show covers the big Amazon announcements in the guest segment, but first Kevin and I focus on the retailer’s smaller announcements around its new show and tell feature and voice interoperability efforts .  Kevin has thoughts about cameras in the home. We also talk about Google changing how it handles voice recordings to help address user outrage while covering a study about...

This week alarm company Vivint went public through a reverse merger , with the aim of becoming a leader in the smart home and security space. We discuss the transaction and what it means for the small clutch of smart home companies that have one or two successful products but an unclear exit. From there we talk about rumors of the Nest Wi-Fi/Google Assistant combo device , a smart backpack, and Fa...

This week’s show kicks off with the whimper after Apple failed to give us any exciting IoT news. We discuss the scraps Apple gave us, but move to Google’s new Nest Hub Max and the future of local wake word recognition thanks to a new chip . We also talk about Samsara, the industrial IoT’s latest unicorn , an update on the founders of Centralite, and Best Buy’s decision to k...

This week’s show has good news for smart device buyers concerned about security. We discuss a new research effort called Your Things that tracks the security of popular smart home devices. We also talk about a new Z-wave hub from Ezlo Innovations , a DIY voice assistant from Picovoice , and rumors about Apple’s new AR glasses and smart tracker . In bummer news, a popular maker board ha...

What is Wi-Fi 6? Should you care? We tackle these questions first up in this week’s podcast. From there, Kevin and I discuss the Bluetooth KNOB vulnerability  and our fears of how smart home data could affect a Chinese-style social credit score. To lighten things up I talk about my visit with Microsoft, and experience with the Hololens 2 as well as Microsoft’s digital twin strategy. In...

This week I get excited about a new home water monitoring product from Phyn while Kevin migrated his Nest account over to a Google account . We also discussed the creation of IKEA’s new Home Smart business unit and Amazon’s dream of putting Alexa in every car . SimpliSafe adds a door lock , MIT researchers build an energy-harvesting underwater sensor and a Chinese IP camera company is...

This week Kevin and I continue to follow the never-ending saga of companies who sent people’s voice utterances to contractors without disclosure and pile on with more disconcerting news about Amazon’s facial recognition service getting the ability to detect fear . From there we discuss partnerships ( LIFX and Brilliant , LG and Lumi ); breakups ( Microsoft and Johnson Controls , TP Lin...

We should name our show the Internet of Privacy Violations Podcast. This week Kevin and I talk about Apple and Microsoft sending voice utterances to contractors and what the industry overall has done to clarify this fact to consumers and also let folks opt-out . We also talk about Microsoft’s discovery that IoT devices are an entry point for hackers and ask for feedback on whether a printer...

We kick off this week’s show with a new smart bed from Tempur-Pedic before immediately disagreeing about Google’s use of gesture control in the upcoming Pixel 4. From there we talk about Amazon’s Ring business and what makes us most uncomfortable about its dealings with police . Also uncomfortable is our chat about the FTC’s decision to revisit the rules about advertising t...

This week’s show kicks off with Kevin and I discussing how Google’s head of IoT isn’t a believer in the smart home . Except he is. He just calls it something else, and we explain his rationale for doing so. We also explain why I am so excited about Microsoft’s new contracts for sharing data and why Tile just scored $45 million in funding. From there we wonder if Google&#821...

This week on the show Kevin and I share our misgivings about smart speakers and some ideas to help address the privacy issues for those who want to continue to embrace the convenience, but don’t want strangers hearing their fights, farts, and friends . We also talk about the acquisition of Centralite’s assets by Ezlo , which has acquired other struggling home automation startups in the...

This week Kevin and I spend more time reviewing gadgets than on news. First, we hit the latest update for Z-Wave which basically makes it easier to grab a new Z-wave device and get it on a network. Then we talk about vulnerabilities in medical devices before turning to the new Wyze camera person detection . I also review the current state of the Wyze light bulbs which I have in early release. In t...

This week Kevin and I read and discuss the letter from Amazon responding to inquiries about how it keeps and handles data. We go in-depth because it’s important to discuss the tradeoff between services and privacy. We also discuss a company leaking smart home data , the FTC settlement with D-Link and a smart home hub for apartments that can be hacked . After the bad news, we move to analyze...

This week on the IoT Podcast, Kevin and I spend time discussing Amazon’s new smaller Echo Show and SmartThings’ new trifecta of products .  From there we talk about a frightening new malware that’s bricking IoT devices and its unlikely origin. We check in on schools’ and hospitals use of an unproven AI and microphones to detect violence before it happens . Then it’s o...

This week Kevin and I talk about the updated Thread protocol and explain what Thread 1.2 has to offer. It’s quite a lot. We also talk about office-management firm JLL working with Google to launch a smart assistant for the office environment, Samsung’s smart TV flub and DISH launching a smart home device installation effort . From there we talk about device-based security at the chip l...

This week Kevin and I offer a take on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency hack and what it means in terms of biometric data, broader security trends and how it relates to policing that can rely on connected AR glasses . Basically, it’s going to be a dystopian hellscape. Especially when you consider Spotify selling data about your emotional state , Amazon’s work on a wearable...

Twice a year Kevin and I gather up a bunch of your questions from the Internet of Things Podcast Hotline and find answers for them. The episode stars all of our listeners and this time around y’all want to know about helping students build Amazon Alexa skills, how to use a sensor to track when the washer or dryer is done, and how to know when you left the stove on. Y’all also asked for...

This week we talk about Nvidia’s new EGX platform for delivering machine learning at the edge as well as the surprise Sony low power wide area network that can send a few bits 60 miles .  And because we forgot last week, this week we review Google’s decision to walk back its Nest deprecation as well as new features for Alexa . We also found a potential new home hub as part of TP-Link&#...

This week, Lutron introduced the Aurora dimmer switch , which attaches to a traditional light switch to control your smart bulbs without any need of an electrician or tools. We love it! We also discuss the launch of Wyze’s light bulbs and newly added Google Assistant integration , Comcast’s proposed health sensors and Mediatek’s new chips for IoT .  From there we chat about GDPR...

This week Kevin and I continue discussing the fall out from Google killing the Works with Nest program . We discuss alternative devices for those who want to replace their Nest devices. Next, we go into the Amazon Alexa updates that add the Guard security features and sunrise and sunset schedule. Then we look at the new NB-IoT networks from Verizon and AT&T before talking about the facial reco...

This week’s show is a long one, thanks to both Google I/O and Microsoft Build happening this week. We kick off with news from I/O about local processing and gesture controls before digging deep into what it means that Google is killing its Works with Nest program . We explain what it means for consumers, the industry, and for developers. From there we move to the privacy one can expect in Am...

This week Kevin and I mourn the end of Anki , the company behind Kevin’s beloved Vector robot. We also talk about the upcoming Google I/O, privacy expectations in apartments with connected devices and AT&T’s nationwide NB-IoT network . From there we discuss Congressional hearings on device security here and abroad in the U.K. In our quick news bits we talk about a $2,000 pool camer...

This week’s podcast starts out with a focus on Clear Ventures’ new, $180 million venture fund dedicated to Industry 4.0. We stay with enterprise and industrial IoT to discuss a new round of funding for security firm VDOO and VMware’s new version of the Pulse IoT Platform . After that, we move to the smart home with a scoop on Arlo’s new video doorbell , Wyze getting a Googl...