IoT news of the week for Nov. 9, 2018

Wemo adds HomeKit support to its dimmer switch: Rejoice, Apple fans! Those of you with the Wemo dimmer switch can now update the switch to add support for HomeKit. This is Wemo’s first software-based implementation of HomeKit, which is a pretty big deal for both Wemo and Apple. Earlier versions of Wemo devices require a bridge with a dedicated chip to upgrade them for HomeKit compatibility. But this integration is the future. (AppleInsider)

This is an energy-smart home: I love reading about how people connect their homes, and this blog did not disappoint. The author used to run a lab for a utility where he checked out various connected devices; this post details his experience tracking energy use once he purchased his own home. He’s a SmartThings user, so his description of the way he organized the disparate systems was valuable, as was his selection of dashboards. He reminds me of several of our more die-hard IoT Podcast listeners. So if smart homes are your jam, check this out. (LinkedIn)

Texas Instruments brings 60GHz into the factory: I’m going to do a deep dive on 60GHz in a week or two, but for now, know that the wireless technology is really good for detecting shapes (in this case, people-shaped shapes). It  has been used as radar in automotive for a while. But TI is now bringing it into the factory to detect people near robots or people in places they shouldn’t be. As automation continues, this capability helps make it safer for humans and robots to work together. This new chip designed for factory environments is also a signal that TI wants in on the potentially huge industrial automation sector. (EETimes)

GE’s Current business bought by PE firm: Since the launch of GE’s IoT lighting business back in 2015, I’ve been excited to follow its progress. It began with big goals to help conserve power through smarter lighting installations, but also planned to offer what was going to be lighting as a service, including power costs. It was ambitious, and ultimately too much so. GE walked the plan back to an intelligent lighting platform and then with the restructuring, just left it in limbo. It now has been sold to American Industrial Partners, a private equity firm. I find this a bit worrisome, mostly because it has me thinking about what private equity firms will do with gobs of data and the need to optimize their investments. There are two elements to my worry. One is that data from this portfolio company could be really tantalizing for the PE firm as it tries to evaluate deals, and two, that as businesses become more data-driven, PE firms can optimize even more finely for short-term profits over business success or longevity. (Lighted)

Food for thought: While this story isn’t exactly an IoT story, the beauty of the internet of things is that I can stretch it as needed to write about other interesting things. And this article, about what the development of AI for military use means for national security, is certainly that. It discusses how a lack of information about AI programs as well as a lack of understanding of how AI will change warfare makes relationships between the U.S. and China more volatile. While the piece is focused on national security, many of the issues it details could also apply to companies trying to assess how AI changes the competitive landscape. (Lawfare)

Bookmark this page for Black Friday deals: For those who are looking to gift a connected gadget this holiday season, CNET has created a running list of the best Black Friday deals available online and in person. I’ve already got my eye on an Echo upgrade and the Amazon smart plug. (CNET)

Schlage launches Zigbee lock that will work with Amazon Key: Schlage has launched a $199 Zigbee-based connected lock. The lock joins the HomeKit and Z-wave locks Schlage already makes. And, if the ability to let Amazon delivery folk into your home using Amazon’s Key program is important to you, the Schlage lock is certified to work with that program as well. I’m still not sold on letting the people who randomly toss packages up my stairs or fling them against my garage door into my home, but you guys do you. (Engadget)

Ericsson selected for DISH’s new NB-IoT network: Earlier this year, satellite communications company DISH Networks said it would launch an NB-IoT network. Interestingly, this network would not take advantage of DISH’s satellite capability, but would be a new terrestrial network. Now it has selected Ericsson and SBA Communications, a tower company, to provide the gear. DISH plans to spend about $1 billion on the network and have it up and running by March 2020. The effort is a bit controversial as T-Mobile has alleged that DISH is merely investing in the NB-IoT network to use its spectrum holdings so it can avoid losing them. DISH denies that claim and says it actually plans to build a full 5G network at some undetermined time in the future. (FierceWireless)

Talk to NIST about industrial IoT security: The National Institute of Standards and Technology needs your thoughts on its current draft of security rules for industrial control systems. In this particular draft, NIST is trying to provide industry with information to establish an anomaly detection and prevention capability in their own environments. It will help manufacturing companies understand if their systems and processes have been compromised. (NIST)

Two cool glimpses into the future of self-driving cars: The first story, from Ars Technica, is a detailed look at a startup that’s cramming thousands of lasers onto a chip to improve lidar for better computer vision. Lidar helps provide images and depth information for computers, so is thought to be essential by most for self-driving cars. The second story is from Wayve, a company building new imaging models for self-driving cars. That story shows people what computers see when they drive as well as how far computer vision has progressed. Both give you a better understanding on how machines see the world. (Ars Technica, Wayve)

Want to sponsor this newsletter and the podcast? Request our new 2019 media kit today. Contact andrew (at) staceyoniot.com.