M2M hardware company Queclink and data management business RacoWireless have teamed up to produce a development kit for those looking to explore the Internet of Things.

Cisco, IBM and Intel are among the companies who have co-founded a group aiming to drive standards and adoption of the Internet of Things.

Wireless Logic has overhauled its M2M SIM control platform with a host of new functions, including the remote configuration of new settings onto a SIM.

JT and Progressive Platform have unveiled a smart tracking M2M device that combines GPS tracking, “black box”-style data recording about acceleration and cornering and a SIM card to communicate through the mobile phone network.

The Channel Islands operator aims to provide the device as part of a managed service to the motor insurance market.
 

Jasper Wireless has launched the world's first commercial end-to-end Global SIM product after signing a technical partnership with Giesecke & Devrient (G&D).

Apple has launched a new Siri-based, hands-free service for consumers that enables them to use an iPhone while driving.

According to the US-based company, a consumer can use CarPlay to access contacts, make calls or listen to voicemails by using its voice-activated Siri software.

Siri can also read received messages, allow consumers to verbally make responses or make calls. 

BlackBerry has announced that its BB10 mobile OS will offer native support for Bluetooth Smart Ready, a key enabler of seamless connectivity between Bluetooth Smart devices, and could help drive consumer applications of M2M.

Bluetooth Smart Ready (formerly known as Bluetooth Low Energy) enables devices to communicate with each other using short data transfers with low power requirements to help preserve battery life in both smartphones and Bluetooth Smart devices.

By Mary-Ann Russon

Last week, Nokia unveiled a new smartphone featuring a world-first 41-megapixel camera powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon S4 chip.

However, research from IDC shows that camera resolution is far down the list of features that consumers look for when purchasing a smartphone.

According to a survey of smartphone owners in 25 countries, camera resolution ranked 15^th behind audio voice quality, battery life, device security and browsing.

GeoSIM has announced a new global M2M data transfer solution that enables customers to be charged a flat rate for each data message that is transmitted, no matter where in the world the device is roaming from.

The new solution, the GeoSIM Global M2M Data System, uses Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) technology to transmit data in small packets no longer than SMS text messages to the customer’s server in only a few seconds.

Standards need to come into force to enable Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communications to be carried across 4G LTE at the same price point as it currently transmits over 2G GSM networks, according to Vodafone.

During the Future of Wireless International Conference on Monday, Vodafone presented a session on “Making LTE fit for the Internet of Things (IoT)”, where it examined the technical and economic challenges that remain as M2M applications start to mature.

The benefits of white space technology fuelled some debate amongst attendees at the Future of Wireless International Conference 2013 on Monday, who gathered to discuss the Internet of Things and Machine-to-Machine technology.

Qualcomm caused something of a stir by taking a sceptical view of white space, which shocked many of the attendees, particularly as Cambridge has been the heart of the UK’s white space trial since 2012.

T-Mobile Netherlands has selected transaction management software vendor Openet to provide its charging platform for mobile services.

Openet’s “Evolved Charging” solution promises a flexible catalogue of mobile services, enabling operators to quickly define and launch dynamic pricing models, innovative device plans and support comprehensive combinations of services for its pre-paid and post-paid subscribers.

Global SIM unit shipments have increased by six percent over the last year as the overall value of the SIM market has risen.

According to trade body the SIMalliance, its members’ shipment volumes rose from 4.4 billion in 2011 to 4.6 billion in 2012.

Networking leader Cisco has predicted a 13-fold increase in mobile Internet traffic over the next four years in its annual Visual Networking Index (VNI) global mobile data traffic forecast due to an increased number of mobile devices and wireless machine-to-machine (M2M) connections.

Telia Sonera made the news this week with an announcement that it is deploying Ericsson's M2M platform.

Embedded wireless and module developer Option has released financial details that cast doubt on the future of the company. The company is facing a 72% drop in revenue as a key licensing deal expires at the end of October, and is cutting costs and trying to access cash to provide working capital while it hopes new product lines come to the rescue.

Only two M2M ecosystems are on the verge of a market "breakthrough", according to Arthur D Little Associate Director Ansgar Schlautmann.

All the rest are still in a "trial and error" stage, due to combination of underdeveloped ecosystems,  a lack of tangible user benefits, and there being no dominating players.

Turkcell ups M2M forecast

The Turkish government has enacted law to exempt M2M SIMs from a tax levied on any new SIM subscription.

Currently, Turkish mobile customers pay TRY37 (€16.7) as a fixed tax on a new SIM connection, but businesses and service providers installing M2M SIMs will now be exempted from the levy.

Turkcell, which recently announced the launch of an M2M platform, said that the change would speed up M2M market growth.