One topic that will be well-covered at South by Southwest Interactive is the “Internet of Things,” a chip industry term for noncomputing devices that are connected to the Internet for remote control and monitoring. For example, a “Nest” smart thermostat is an Internet of Things product.
For Austin attendees who work for locally based chip companies that design and manufacture the processors that go inside these devices, Interactive is a chance to learn more about one of the fastest-growing segments in their industry.
There will be "Internet of Things" panels addressing how these internet-connected devices might transform health care from the comfort of your own home, with virtual checkups and smart devices monitoring your health.
Marketers get a panel on how to sell Internet of Things products. Entrepreneurs should check out a panel on how to distinguish your "smart gadget" device in the increasingly noisy "Internet of Things" industry. An Italian company called Casa Jasmina is going to talk about how IoT can change furniture and interior design.
There are multiple panels for skeptics concerned about what "Internet of Things" means for security and keeping data private. One panel about "moral coding," questions the ethical obligations software programmers have when it comes to safety, security and privacy. Another panel called "Internet of Junk" addresses how we are handling the vulnerabilities of these sophisticated devices - which are really like mini-computers.
It's not just panels. On Monday March 14, there is a meetup for folks in the hardware and Internet of Things industries specifically geared around wearables, which will feature a show-and-tell for inventors. And a March 11-14 Hardware House event at WeWork Austin promises to cover a lot of consumer electronics ground.
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