Intel wants to make development of internet-of-things applications easier
Intel has announced its IoT Platform. With the new platform, the chip manufacturer says it wants to make internet-of-things hardware, mostly small devices that are connected to the internet, and the associated software easier.
The Intel IoT Platform should serve as a reference model that can be used for future internet-of-things products, such as compact gadgets that make an internet connection, but also ‘smart’ sensors and home automation products. This provides companies with a ready-made blueprint on which to base their internet-of-things offering. Intel will drop its existing APIs, management tools and related technology under the IoT Platform umbrella and add new ones. The chip manufacturer also wants to enter into partnerships with other companies that are active in this sector.
Intel is, among other things, releasing an update of its IoT Gateways: gateway systems with Atom or Quark socs that provide the connection of the sensors and controllers of devices with the cloud infrastructure. The IoT Gateways will be integrated with the Wind River Edge software, intended to be able to manage internet-of-things applications. McAfee, a subsidiary of Intel, is introducing Enhanced Security for Intel IoT Gateways, a security platform, while the chip manufacturer also wants to market its enhanced privacy identity technology.
In addition, performance improvements, cheaper memory options and more communication options have come to the Gateways, according to Intel. This year, seven manufacturers are said to have released their own versions of the IoT Gateways and 13 more manufacturers are expected to follow in early 2015. Additionally, Intel has announced a partnership with Accenture, Capgemini, HCL, Dell, NTT DATA, SAP, Tata Consultancy and Wipro, among others. Intel promises to announce more products and services in the coming months.
With its new IoT Platform, Intel wants to respond early to the rapidly growing market for Internet-of-things applications and the necessary hardware, so as not to miss the boat and lose market share to ARM. According to the chip maker, which is still trying to gain market share in the mobile market, only multi-company partnerships can deliver hardware and software needed for a broad rollout of Internet-of-things applications.