IoT: AllSeen Gains IBM, Thread Releases Wireless Networking Specs for Developers

Internet of Things (IoT) open source consortium AllSeen Alliance, backed by the Linux Foundation and anchored by Qualcomm’s (QCOM) AllJoyn open source device detection technology, said IT heavyweights IBM (IBM) and Pivotal have joined the group among 13 new members.

New members range from providers of IoT infrastructure to security, platforms, solutions and services and product makers. IBM and Pivotal are AllSeen’s newest IoT infrastructure members. CertiVox, a U.K.-based cybersecurity provider and Kona S, a unit of smart card maker Kona, which provides embedded solutions and services are the consortium’s latest security members.

Other new entrants include Appception, a mobile device software and services developer; Granite River Labs, a test methodologies and solutions specialist; Hackster, a community of hardware device makers; Novatel Wireless, a provider of IoT-related wireless solutions; Omni m2m, which offers a platform of management, automation and analytics for developers; and Visible Energy, a cloud-based provider of services to prototype Wi-Fi IoT solutions, APIs, libraries, cloud management and app monitoring.

Additional members include Fabita, an Italian maker of customized household appliances; Skyworth, a developer of consumption electronics; and, TopEast, which provides high-tech solutions to electrical household appliances.

A year ago, AllSeen gained big fish Microsoft (MSFT) as a Premier Member, joining a number of other IT heavyweights including LG, Panasonic, Qualcomm and others. The organization’s membership includes consumer electronics manufacturers, home appliance vendors, automobile makers, cloud providers, enterprise technology companies, startups, chipset manufacturers, service providers, retailers and software developers.

AllSeen is one of a growing number of IoT and IoE consortiums all with similar charters to establish and promote a common discovery and communication platform for connected devices.

The Thread Group

Another similar organization, the Google (GOOG)-backed Thread Group, released its new IP-based wireless networking protocol designed for low-power connected products in the home. The 160-member organization is focused on making Thread the foundation for IoT in the home.

Member developers now can access the Thread technical specifications and documentation to build Thread-compliant products. Thread said it will begin certifying those products in September and expects them to appear on the market sometime before year’s end.

The Thread protocol, which aims to connect hundreds of devices to each other and to the cloud using a low-power, wireless mesh network, is designed for consumers and devices in and around the home.

“Thread was designed to be the foundation of the Internet of Things in the home by allowing developers and consumers to easily and securely connect hundreds of devices within a low-power, wireless mesh network,” said Chris Boross, Thread Group president.

Thread said that mobile chip maker Qualcomm is joining its board. Since its inception in October, 2014, Thread has grown to 160 members.