M2M : Machine 2 Machine

This tie up between Nike shoes and IPod seems to solve a similar problem faced by M2M system - how to get smart systems (e.g iPOD) talking to a simplistic system (e.g Nike Shoes)

LOS ANGELES/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Nike Inc. said on Tuesday that it is making running shoes that will be able to send data about the wearer’s performance to an Apple Computer Inc.’s iPod using a new wireless system called Nike+iPod.

Shares of Nike rose over 2 percent as it capitalized on the popularity of the iPod line, which dominates portable digital music players. But one analyst said a relatively narrow section of Nike consumers would be interested in the running products.

Using a Nike+iPod Sports Kit, expected to retail for about $29, consumers will be able to access time, distance, pace and calories burned through the earphones of a nano version of the iPod via a sensor in the insole of special shoes that communicate with the digital music player.

Nike also launched a line of performance clothing, including jackets and shorts, that holds iPods and keeps wires untangled and out of sight.

“We share the same types of consumers,” said Trevor Edwards, Nike’s vice president of global brand management, who said more than half of nano users already use the device while running. “We know that these two brands work really well together.”

A 2002 deal between Nike and the Netherlands’ Philips Electronics NV that resulted in an mp3 player that tracked time and distance fizzled, Edwards said, because of differences in the two companies’ target consumers.

SELLING MORE FOOTWEAR?

Analyst John Shanley of Susquehanna Financial Group said the Nike+iPod launch was innovative but would not appeal to the company’s core base of teenage boys.

ampa, FL (PRWEB) March 19, 2006 — Simple Com Tools, LLC — creator of the award-winning COM1000 Industrial Internet Appliance, and leader in the M2M hardware market, and Motient Communications Inc. — nationwide provider of terrestrial wireless data solutions, today announced a new Joint Marketing Agreement designed to help integrators and customers ease the deployment of M2M applications.

Under the new agreement, the two companies will work together to simplify M2M solution building in several ways:

• Introducing Motient wireless data products and services to the rapidly expanding list of Simple Com Tools M2M oriented value-added resellers and customers;

• Providing compelling activation bundles for SCT products deployed on the Motient network with approved wireless data modems;

• Ensuring cross-training of products and services to assure that customers using SCT equipment on the Motient network have an exceptional M2M deployment experience.
Motient Communications is a Data MVNO providing wireless M2M and Telemetry solutions to Fortune 500 and the small to medium enterprise business market. Motient draws on over 15 years of experience as a network operator to offer one source support and wireless consulting services utilizing the Sprint (1xRTT) and Cingular (GPRS) data networks for a variety of industries and applications. Motient simplifies the wireless experience for application providers, hardware vendors, value-added resellers and customers by offering services that enhance the performance, efficiency and cost-effectiveness of enterprise wireless data networks.

“Motient is excited to be working with Simple Com Tools, first as a customer and most recently as a partner,” said Deb Peterson, Senior Vice President Systems and Business Development for Motient Communications, Inc. “Simple Com Tools minimizes the effort to collect machine data, as we enable solutions for the M2M/Telemetry marketplace. As a Data MVNO, Motient recognizes the value of top notch partners such as Simple Com Tools in engineering end-to-end solutions. Customers and Systems Integrators alike will benefit from the decades of wireless data experience, pre-sales engineering support and customer service provided by Motient and Simple Com Tools.”

The first joint promotion arising from the new Simple Com Tools/Motient partnership will be their ” Unwire Your Machines” promotion to be launched at CTIA in Las Vegas on April 6th, 2006. Under terms to be announced, SCT and Motient will be offering a special service discount for customers deploying SCT devices using modems from the Motient approved partner list. The list of approved modems is extensive, and includes such popular names as AirLink, BlueTree, Digi, Enfora, Multi-Tech, and Sony-Ericsson.

M2M, Automation, Telemetry, Remote Monitoring, LBS

aJile Systems Inc. (www.ajile.com), a company founded by the developers of the world’s first direct execution Java™ technology microprocessor, is demonstrating the world’s first edge controller implemented entirely in Java technology. aJile’s JNIB™ is a compact, cost-effective system that enables system integrators, OEMs and enterprise developers to employ Java software throughout an organization, from back-end enterprise databases and applications, right through to data acquisition and automation functions in multiple remote locations.

By offering the world’s the first Java technology edge controller, aJile’s new JNIB enables developers to seamlessly integrate their core enterprise applications with remote edge applications using a single development language throughout an entire organization. And by using a single language—Java—that enjoys wide acceptance, a substantial ecosystem of third-party developers, a large pool of web-based applications, industry-standard APIs and protocols, and programming environments on every PC platform, developers can reduce development time and maintenance costs, while improving reliability, portability, reusability and system security

M2M, Automation, Telemetry, Remote Monitoring, LBS

Telcordia Technologies, Inc., (www.telcordia.com) today announced a strategic alliance with NorBelle, LLC (www.norbelle.com), an international wireless location technology provider, to commercialize and deliver mobile-to-mobile tracking solutions that provide real-time location reporting and significantly improved accuracy in tracking to end users. These applications will be part of the Telcordia(R) Maestro(TM) IMS portfolio delivering product- and hosted-based solutions to wireless carriers globally.

This new and innovative product offering is based on the Telcordia(R) Maestro(TM) IMS portfolio and NorBelle’s flagship product, Cearch(TM), which increases the accuracy and extends the application of location based solutions. Based on sophisticated algorithms developed and patented by NorBelle, it is maximized for handset-to-handset and handset-to-tag transactions. This state-of-the-art GPS and location accuracy enhancement system dynamically allows one wireless device in motion to track and locate any other wireless device in motion with precision.

M2M, Automation, Telemetry, Remote Monitoring, LBS

A new research report from the analysis firm Berg Insight forecasts that at least 25 million machines will be connected to mobile networks in Europe by 2009. Currently Berg Insight estimates the number of wireless M2M connections on the continent to 5 million. “We know that growth in the number of mobile phones is coming to an end in the developed world. There is however now clear evidence that other devices will assume the leading role in market developments. As people migrate to the new 3G networks in growing numbers, the old reliable GSM-networks will increasingly become the domains of our machines”, comments Tobias Ryberg, senior analyst at Berg Insight.

Utility meters and vehicles are identified as the segments with the far greatest potential. “Right now we have several projects where up to 500,000 electricity meters will be connected to mobile networks for automated meter reading and that is just the beginning”, says Tobias. “It is the same in the vehicle sector. Half a million trucks are now monitored with GSM/GPS as part of Germany’s Toll Collect system and over one hundred thousand motorists in Italy have signed up for pay-as-you-drive insurance schemes.” Tobias believes GSM/GPS tracking technology will soon become widely used for mileage-based motor vehicle taxation and speed limit enforcement, as well as voluntary reporting of driving behaviour to insurance companies.

The report also identifies several other growth areas for wireless M2M in the security and retail sectors. Mobile communication technology is today commonly used in alarm systems, payment terminals, parking machines and various industrial remote monitoring systems.

M2M, Automation, Telemetry, Remote Monitoring, LBS