Build your own Nest-like Thermostat

I am sure you must have heard about Google’s 3.2 billion-dollar acquisition of Nest by now. Nest as you know builds home devices such as thermostats, smoke alarms, etc. The only difference between them and the thousands of other such devices is that they make them cool. Really really cool. Their mission as they stated on their site is “We take the unloved products in your home and make simple, beautiful, thoughtful things.”

True that.

 

Following Google’s announcement of the acquisition, I came across this interesting article where someone built a nest-like thermostat within a day using open-source software. Read more about it on FastCompany

I have not tried it but if it’s true, then perhaps it’s possible to build a multi-billion dollar company in a day…

How to get 50GB of cloud space for your mobile device

If you haven’t heard already, Box.net has upped the ante against rival cloud storage providers dropbox by offering users a whopping 50GB of cloud storage!

All you have to do is download the box.net app from the iTunes App Store or Google Play and signup for the box.net service through the mobile app. And you’re done!

I love Dropbox.com and have been using it for the past few years, however between ~5GB (Dropbox gives 2GB free as a start, but you can earn free space by referring friends) and Box’s 50GB, the choice is clear!

More info here

 

The rise of the Internet of Things

By Oxford’s definition – The internet of things is a proposed development of the Internet in which everyday objects have network connectivity, allowing them to send and receive data.

Simply, it’s a future where everything that use on a daily basis will have network connectivity. Think washing machines, fridges, etc.

Gartner, the technology research firm has identified the Internet of Things as being one of the Top 10 Strategic Technologies in their yearly reports since 2012. In addition, the Internet of Things had been added to their Hype Cycle research in 2011.

Some new products have been announced recently:

  1. Internet-connected toothbrushes – http://sg.news.yahoo.com/internet-connected-toothbrush-makes-ces-debut-002900976.html
  2. Internet-connected washing machine – http://www.techinasia.com/youll-chat-refrigerator-line/

By many reports, the Internet of Things will be more than just a next step in the evolution of the internet. It is seen as a major transformation in the way we utilise the Internet. Imagine a world where every device we use is connected to the internet and is accessible via our smart-devices such as smartphones, tablets, etc.

Cisco Systems has a neat counter which ‘counts’ in real-time the number of internet-connected devices here. By their estimates, in 2020 there could be 50 billion Their page also has a write-up on the Internet of Things.

We’re definitely living in very exciting times ladies and gentlemen.

 

More articles on this topic here: