Peggy Smedley discusses new smart-energy solutions including a pocket-sized wireless display that connects to consumers’ energy meters and gives them constant data pertaining to their energy consumption and the associated costs. Another solution collects data on how homeowners adjust their thermostats and then automates the process, enabling them to use less energy. Smedley also discusses a new partnership that aims to bring new connected devices to the Canadian market.;

 

Kevin Carter, media relations specialist, TomTom Inc., discusses some of the features of the company’s new connected navigation devices and the types of services they make available to consumers. He compares two different devices to help consumers determine which would be a better choice based on their personal preferences, and he also discusses TomTom’s plans for expansion.;

 

Kittur Nagesh, director, service provider marketing, Cisco Systems Inc., talks about what machine-to-machine means to Cisco and what the company’s position is on the technology in general. He explains how M2M can help with improving network communications and what is required for a network to be able to support and manage data communications.;

 

Smedley, and Mike Carrozzo, chief editor, M2M magazine, discuss the top five factors that are holding connected consumer M2M devices back from hitting the mainstream market. Some of the factors they discuss include the public’s fear of ‘big brother,’ product availability, and consumer awareness.