[stevekemp]

I've started getting interested in hardware for the past half-year or so. Thus far I've built a few projects that are generally useful and have lasted for a while - most of my projects are for learning so they get assembled, played with, then recycled for parts.

Things that I've kept have been:

* A system which sends me a text-message when the washing machine cycle is complete.

* A device that displays the departure times of the trams from the stop at the end of my street.

* A button that you can press which does "something" on the PC - generally plays "alarm.mp3".

* A bunch of temperature sensors which submit their data to a central service on my PC - so I can measure heat/humidity on my balcony, in my bathroom, and elsewhere nearby.

None of these projects are earth-shattering, but they are small enough to be useful. They all use WiFi to fetch data, or submit it. And should be hacker-proof ;)

[petra]

I think most of the uses of the consumer IOT add small value, so in order for them to see demand, they needs to have very low costs, both monetarily, and otherwise(0 install, extremely easy usability- not sure if smartphone is easy enough - maybe voice , interoperability between devices,no security fears or spying issues, no bugs ) combined with really tight UX design.

And there's no technical reason why this couldn't be achievable(maybe with some collaboration). But the companies view IOT differently - as a giant purse, as a lock-in mechanism, as a way to spy on customers, and as a way to do half-work - on UI,security, etc.