IoT news of the week for Sept. 25, 2020

Did the CBRS auctions fail? For the last few years, I’ve been writing about the creation of private cellular networks created using newly freed spectrum in the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) band. The idea was that corporate campuses, universities, and other organizations would buy their own spectrum and use it to deploy their own 5G networks. Now, after the auctions held this summer, one analyst is disappointed that more universities and companies didn’t walk away with their own airwaves. When spectrum is auctioned off, the buyers are bidding on a set chunk of spectrum over a defined geographic area. Generally, the area is large metropolitan areas, but in the case of the CBRS auction, the FCC shrunk the area so smaller players could bid. It wasn’t small enough to really open up the bidding for most, however, which is why Iain Gillott, founder and president of iGR, believes these auctions failed. I think what’s more likely is we’ll see organizations using unlicensed spectrum to set up their own geographic network using the services of companies such as Federated Wireless or Comscore. Private 5G networks are coming, even if thousands of companies don’t own the airwaves. (Fierce Wireless)

On-device AI software gets funding: I write a lot about AI hardware for edge devices. There are scores of companies building specialized chips that can run neural networks at low power and on small processors with less memory, but it’s much rarer to find a company trying to provide software to help improve edge-based AI. XNOR was one company focused on improving computer vision on edge devices in software, and it was purchased by Apple. But this week, DeepCube, an Israeli software company that lets companies run their neural networks on edge devices, raised $7 million. It’s worth noting that DeepCube’s version of the edge includes CPUs, GPUs, and specialized ASICs as opposed to microcontrollers, but I have plenty of devices that have both power and a small CPU that could take advantage of this. (Crunchbase)

This is what I’m talkin’ about! I’ve long wanted my Amazon Echo or Google Assistant to speak up when it had relevant information to share. For example, if my travel time is going to be extra long because of an accident, I’d like it to proactively let me know. So far, the only notifications I get are Alexa asking me to rate a purchase (I told Alexa to screw off). But now Google Assistant will tell me when I’ve been sitting too long, remind me to drink water, and let me know about upcoming meetings. Google has launched something called a Workday routine that will remind you of your calendar events (unless you’re using G Suite) and let you customize reminders throughout the day to tell you to take a walk or grab some water. It can also remind you at a set time that you should start winding down from work. This seems silly on one hand, but as a remote worker for the last two decades, the hardest thing to do at the end of the day is leave your desk. (The Verge)

AT&T will offer IoT modules that integrate Microsoft’s Azure Sphere security service: This story is exactly what it sounds like. AT&T will sell modules (the radio and processors with a secure enclave) to customers that want to securely connect devices to the AT&T network that link back to Microsoft’s Azure security service. The idea is these modules are easy to put into new and even existing devices so companies can connect their equipment to the internet for better monitoring or tracking. I wish AT&T would make it easy for people to see how much this costs, but unfortunately Ma Bell still wants buyers to pick up the phone and give their sales staff a call. Bummer for developers or smaller companies that don’t want the hassle. (Fierce Wireless)

Intel’s edge processors are worth a look: I talked about Intel’s new line of high-end chips for edge computing and its new Atom processors on the podcast this week. I was impressed because the specs were good and they also were the first chips to add silicon level support for Time-Sensitive Networking. In line with other companies marketing IoT solutions, Intel also unveiled industry-specific packages of technology to help overwhelmed CIOs and tech buyers figure out how to deploy the IoT. (ZDNet)

Nozumi Networks signs security integration with Waterfall Security Solutions: Securing the OT network has become a greater and greater priority in the last three to five years and Nozumi, which is spanning the gap between IT and OT networks, has been very focused on signing partnerships with both IT and OT security providers. As businesses adopt IoT they are trying to layer on a variety of security products to cover the expanding attack surface of networked devices. To make life easier for CISOs, security companies are trying to handle integrations between businesses so they can help provide all of the necessary layers seamlessly. With this partnership, Nozumi adds Waterfall’s OT security hardware, which provides a physical firewall for OT networks to prevent ransomware, zero-day exploits, and other incoming threats. (AIthority)

Machine Metric and Fiix team up to analyze factory data and take action: Machine Metrics, a startup that pulls in machine data from factories, has teamed up with Fiix to ensure that problems or action items determined with Machine Metrics analysis get resolved. Fiix makes software that lets plant operators schedule maintenance work with people or lets operators enable automated fixes. After linking the tow software platforms a plant operator could see problems developing and set an automated fix or ensure a worker handles the job. (Fiix)

Latch has sold $100M in smart locks for apartments: Latch, a company that makes access control devices for smart apartments, managed to hit revenue of $100 million in 2019. It also is launching a platform called Latch OS that will let building owners manage their smart locks as well as other smart home devices such as Sonos speakers, Honeywell and ecobee thermostats, and Jasco and Leviton light switches. It even supports integrations to larger property management software providers such as RealPage.  Looks like LAtch is moving up the stack. And beyond locks. (Latch)

Amazon’s device news overview: Kevin focused on the smart home and IoT news from Amazon’s device day. (StaceyonIoT)

Interested in trying out your own hearables? Kevin is getting old and losing his hearing, so he’s been on a quest for a decent pair of hearables (devices that enhance your hearing, but aren’t an actual hearing aid that requires an audiologist) for a while. With the Nuheara IQ2 Bus Max, he may have found his new pair. (StaceyonIoT)