Confronting IoT issues: Practicality and efficacy

As significant as these applications sound, however, before making all these scenarios work, "you need to get different stakeholders, including different agencies, private entities and citizens, to come to a table, sign off with the idea and agree on the terms," Morelli added. No easy task.

We should all step back and take a breath when we look at the industry's positioning today in device-to-device communication specs for IoT.

I don't think I was the only one rolling my eyes when I learned about Intel-led Open Interconnect Consortium (OIC) unveiled earlier this week, obviously an answer to the AllSeen effort started by Qualcomm.

Morelli pointed out that these rival groups mostly consist of device vendors. No service provider, such as AT&T or Time-Warner, is included, he said. Further, he noted, we know little about Google's plans on IoT, including the company's intentions for such IoT properties as Nest Labs and Dropcam. It's hard to believe that Google, armed with a wealth of IoT-fed information, will gladly forgo the opportunity to sell more ads. For example, if a Nest thermostat knows you're cold, suggested Morelli, Google can relay a promotion aimed at selling you a sweaters.

Doherty noted, "What is missing from these seemingly rival initiatives is the difference between standards and recommended practices (Envisioneering's favourite)."

When it comes to the interoperability of IoT devices at home, Doherty said, "No one wants to pay for a repeat of the CableLabs certification fees (HUGE!) nor HDMI certification (expensive!)."

Noting that the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) recently started a new working group on IoT, Doherty explained, "Things like a CEA plugfest may serve to deliver confidence and peace of mind that the right products talk to each other."

It's easy to talk about how big an opportunity IoT could bring to the electronics industry. Harder is to formula a credible pitch for consumers.

"Business, services, government and most of all consumer, citizen mindshare of trust is needed for IoT to work and scale," said Doherty. Without it, "massive failure is looming," he warned.

- Junko Yoshida
  EE Times

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