Nissan has said an IoT-enabled connected car has the ability to transform and deliver unprecedented benefits to society, while Jasper has questioned the billing strategy of data usage in the future vehicle. Speaking at Connected Cars 2016 at 5G World in London, Gareth Dunsmore, Nissan’s GM of electric vehicles, said electric and connected vehicles in the future have the ability to interwork with the smart home, provide electricity efficiency to users in the home and the car, as well as boosting mobility for the older generation or those less capable of driving themselves. “Are we really ready for autonomous vehicles?” said Dunsmore. “Rather, do we …

During a Senate subcommittee hearing, a legislator pushed for security protections in internet-connected vehicles. "The Internet of Things leads also to the Internet of Threats, because obviously every vehicle that has the Internet built into it then becomes subject to hacking,” said Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), during the Surface Transportation subcommittee hearing of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation on Tuesday. Markey warned that security protections “cannot be an afterthought.” He mentioned one previously reported  vulnerability that allowed security researchers Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek to control a Jeep Cherokee's engine, transmission, wheels and brakes remotely through the vehicle's in-car entertainment system.

“What you get with the upper bands is … instantaneous downloads,” says Paula Boyd, Microsoft’s director of government and regulatory affairs. “We’re going to move away from streaming to very quick downloads of the entire content.” Ms. Boyd was part of a panel of industry leaders discussing the future of the Internet last week at The Microsoft Innovation and Policy Center. A rapid 5G network would shatter typical Wi-Fi speeds, but the implications of 5G reach much farther than just faster Netflix. 5G connectivity to “the Internet of things” would mean more smart technology in everyday objects. "It’s not just, ‘Oh my god, …

BMW is using SIM card-based Connected Drive technology to integrate all of its new cars into the Internet of Things and enable remote software updates. Currently, the technology pairs a car to an owner’s smartphone to communicate with other connected devices, but BMW plans to directly pair its cars with other devices, such as an owner's house and heating system, to offer a wide range of intelligent connected services. “All UK cars have a SIM card built into them, so that’s enabling every car to be connected,” said Andrew Furse, product manager at BMW UK. “That means we can keep the car connected …

Google just gave a serious facelift to Google Fit. “Everything looks more colorful, images fill the first screen, and there is more data and new charts filling the screen,” Android Police writes. “Basically, everything looks different -- but in a way, most of it is still familiar.” Meanwhile, “Almost everything is still where it was before, so this update shouldn't require much adjustment.”

The Container Store is deploying voice-controlled wearables to streamline operations, heighten customer service and improve efficiency for its 3,000 store associates. Following a successful pilot program, Theatro's wearable solution will be live in 70 of the retailer's 80 stores by July 2016, and the remainder will be online by year's end. “At The Container Store, we are constantly looking for innovative solutions to not only enhance our customers’ experience, but also help our employees work even more efficiently,” said John Thrailkill, EVP of IT & business development for The Container Store. “Theatro’ s service is an intuitive, hands-free solution that lets us deliver …

The Internet of Things is gaining muscle as developers flock to participate in its potential. According to research firm Evans Data, there are 6.2 million developers worldwide working on IoT applications and systems, a 34% increase from the 4.1 million doing so 12 months ago. The Global Developer Population and Demographics Study, released June 22, combines the Santa Cruz, Calif.-based research firm's developer population model with the results of its biannual Global Development Survey. According to the report, there's been a 14% increase in development for mobile devices in the past 12 months, making the smartphone the most commonly connected IoT platform.

After the initial euphoria over the Internet of Things (IoT), the reality of the market is rapidly sinking in among investors, marketers and designers. The underlying technologies and ecosystem designed to support the elusive IoT market remain too immature to reap profits for many corporations and investors. In fact, anecdotal evidence shows that anyone pitching a startup in the IoT space faces kneejerk skepticism from the investment community. In short, IoT backlash has begun.  Against that backdrop, Resin.io, a London-based four-year-old IoT startup, announced Monday (June 27) that it has secured $9 million in funding from DFJ, GE Ventures, Ericsson, and …

Seeking to find the fastest way to the Olympics? Now travelers going to Brazil for the worldwide competitions can get directions via beacons. Rio de Janeiro’s Galeão International Airport recently launched a mobile app and beacons to aid the travelers headed to the city for the Summer Olympic Games, which run Aug. 5-21. Beacons are small pieces of hardware that can determine a traveler’s location via Bluetooth. In order for beacons to work, a traveler has to download the RIOgaleão Airport app and turn on the Bluetooth feature on her smartphone. The RIOgaleão Airport deployed 3,000 beacons across its 100,000-square-meter building, …

U.S. fashion label Michael Kors is allowing consumers to try on its Kendall II sunglasses via a one-day-only Snapchat filter lens. Using Snapchat as a virtual mirror, consumers are able to try on three colors of the Kendall II style. Luxury has incorporated Snapchat into its marketing efforts to show candid behind-the-scenes footage of brand happenings, but promoted interactions on the social channel may resonate better with its millennial and Generation Z user base (see story).