GPS World

Tag: connected devices

  • Spirent and Oasis partner to accelerate IoT connected devices

    Spirent Communications and Oasis Smart SIM have created a strategic partnership to remove connectivity and network provisioning barriers for the rapid development of connected products and devices, such as cameras, smart vehicles, logistics and production goods.

    Spirent Communications is a provider of device intelligence solutions, and Oasis Smart SIM is a global Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) connectivity and management provider.

    The partnership marks both firms’ entry into the connected Internet of Things (IoT) business, which analyst Gartner forecasts will result in 6.4 billion connected devices worldwide in 2016, reaching 20.8 billion by 2020.

    Beefore launching the new product, Spirent and Oasis undertook extensive research into the hurdles that original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) face in making diverse connected products, ranging from white goods in the kitchen to those used in animal management, suitable for sale in world markets. It became clear that old technologies and business models based on use of the traditional SIM were not suitable for IoT device activation and subscription provisioning on a global scale.

    The partnership between Spirent and Oasis will introduce a two-click software solution, including USIM functionality, that OEMs can embed into products for seamless cellular service activation in any of the world’s markets, as well as life-cycle management.

    The new product will be showcased on the stands of Spirent (Hall 6, Stand 6J37) and Oasis (Hall 2, Stand 2D13/15/19MR) at Mobile World Congress, in Barcelona (22-25 February, 2016).

    “Spirent and Oasis have teamed up to help manufacturers build better and smarter products for the connected world,” said Dennis Juul Poulsen, general manager of Spirent’s IoT Connectivity and Subscription Management business. “Be it a connected truck or a pair of smart running shoes, OEMs in whatever vertical market now have a solution that provides customers with seamless instant connectivity and the freedom to choose whatever cellular service provider they wish.”

    “Spirent’s unique automatic access point name (APN) setup and remote subscription management solution with Oasis’ embedded smart USIM functionality is a game changer in connected products and devices,” said Olivier Leroux, CEO of Oasis Smart SIM. “OEM vendors now have a leaner way to manufacture, distribute and maintain connected products compared to solutions centered on the traditional SIM.”

  • Juniper Research: Smart Healthcare, Fitness Devices to be $1.8B Market by 2019

    smart-watch-im_watch

    Annual revenues from connected healthcare and fitness services will approach $2 billion by 2019, nearly six times the $320 million value estimated for this year, according to a report from Juniper Research.

    The report, “Smart Wireless Devices: CE, Enterprise, Fitness, Healthcare, Payments 2015-2019,” says that connected healthcare devices and the data they generate will offer substantial benefits to both stakeholders and consumers, potentially improving preventative healthcare. However, deployments will initially be constrained by inconsistent regulation, alongside continued privacy concerns surrounding the sharing and security of personal data.

    ‘Quantified Others’ are Key

     
    The research highlights the “quantified others” trend: the use of someone’s data by a professional or concerned party — such as a parent — to provide meaning and/or advice. Companies like GOQii and Filip Technologies are using this to provide services beyond mere data provision.

    Although, this has the potential to be undermined by unreliable data. While medical devices have validation standards, fitness devices have no such benchmark. The development of standards would alleviate consumer and medical professionals’ concerns, driving up adoption.

    Software to Drive Connected Devices Forward

     
    “Connected fitness and health devices provide a way to collect biometric data, not interaction platforms,” said author James Moar. “People want to interact with the devices at the app level – the draw is the information. Because of this, and the omnipresence of sensors, the importance of the hardware will diminish at a much faster rate than other CE market segments.”

    Other Findings from the Report

     
    Other findings were mentioned in a news release from Juniper Research, and are listed below:

    • “Smart Wireless Devices will permeate the enterprise, with smart glasses in particular having a large impact.”
    • “Mobile point-of-sale devices are poised to take off in developing markets, with several key players looking to move into Latin America and Asia Pacific in the coming years.”
    • “Smartwatches will be the most popular consumer electronics connected devices, overtaking more established wearable cameras.”

    The white paper, Smart Wireless Devices & the Internet of Me, is available to download from the Juniper website together with details of the full research and the Interactive Forecast Excel (IFxl).

  • Samsung CEO to Talk Connected Devices, IoT at CES

    The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) has announced that Boo-Keun Yoon, president and CEO of Samsung Electronics, will deliver the keynote address at the 2015 International Consumer Electronics Show. The International CES will take place in Las Vegas, January 6-9, and Yoon will talk at 6:30 p.m. January 5 in the Palazzo Ballroom at the Venetian.

    Yoon will discuss connected devices, the future of the Internet of Things (IoT), and the vision of the smart home. He also will focus on Samsung’s vision of strategic partnerships that will drive the next wave of technology breakthroughs.

    “Samsung is widely-known for its disruptive technologies and business models, and has been one of the fastest growing CE brands in the world,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CEA. “Samsung amazes at each CES with its innovative products spanning the entire tech ecosystem. We welcome Boo-Keun Yoon back to the keynote stage for the 2015 CES.”

    Yoon began his career at Samsung Electronics in 1978. After serving in a number of leadership positions at Samsung Electronics, Yoon headed Samsung’s Visual Display Business from 2007, seeing its revenue double while maintaining the company’s No. 1 global TV market share for eight consecutive years. Currently, Boo-Keun Yoon serves as the president and CEO of Consumer Electronics at Samsung Electronics, leading Samsung’s Visual Display, Digital Appliances, Printing Solutions and Health & Medical Equipment Business. In addition, Yoon also acts as the company’s Chief Design Officer.

    According to CEA/GfK research, global consumer technology spending will top more than $1 trillion in 2015. Lauded for its innovative design and technology across its diverse portfolio of products, Samsung Electronics is a leading global brand for high-tech electronics and digital media.

    The 2015 CES will feature more than 3,500 exhibitors unveiling the latest consumer technology products and services across the entire ecosystem of consumer technologies. For more information on the 2015 CES, visit CESweb.org.