So I’m on my commute back home after a rather eventful day (Tuesdays always seem to be) when I get this MasterCard alert. It turns out, I’m still in the Back to the Future mode!
MasterCard is apparently planning to turn ordinary items into contactless devices
My first immediate thought is the basement full of “average items” that need cleaning up. On a serious note, this is the first major move into a full blown Internet of Things (IoT) revolution.
This has the potential to usher in a whole new breed of startups with enormous application potential.
At the time, several forecasts illustrated the expectations surrounding connected devices:
- In 2013, Gartner projected that the Internet of Things (IoT) installed base would reach 26 billion units by 2020.
- Also in 2013, ABI Research predicted that more than 30 billion devices would connect wirelessly by 2020.
- The Pew Research Internet Project reported that 83 percent of its participating technology experts and engaged internet users expected widespread benefits from the Internet of Things, embedded computing and wearables by 2025.
The involvement of designer Adam Selman, Capital One, NXP, GM, Nymi, Qualcomm, Ringly and TrackR is significant. A lot of people will be hoping this effort spills over into the wider IoT space resulting into more investment.
What the IoT partners are saying
“We created Ringly to keep women connected to the people, messages and notifications that are important to them. Through our partnership with MasterCard, Ringly will not only be able to keep people connected, but will provide another layer to how our customers can use their jewelry while on the go. Our mission is to make women’s lives more manageable through beautiful jewelry and discreet technology.”
Christina Mercando d’Avignon Founder and CEO, Ringly
“Technology is vital to the fashion industry, from textiles, printing techniques, and innovations in garments, it keeps fashion changing and evolving. Usually technology’s role in fashion is behind the scenes. What sets the MasterCard program apart is that it features the technology, while still remaining invisible, yet interactive and totally functional with the wearer. It’s exciting to be part of a project that is creating something new and fresh. At the end of the day, that’s what fashion is all about.”
Adam Selman Fashion designer
The next wave of innovation is about to start. IoT adoption is already here. Households are more interconnected than ever before. What do you think this means in the longer term for IoT? What impact will this have?