This week’s Smart DevOps roundup features connected device market growth, SmartThings’ hiring of Google exec Dora Hsu to further its Internet of Things (IoT) developer platform and how a familiar software giant is gearing up for IoT opportunities.

Mobile developers shifts focus to IoT

According to a report from Evans Data Corp., connected device development grew by 190 percent in 2014, and this growth is driving mobile developers to shift their focus. Another interesting point Evans Data presented is that as development for IoT increases, the development for tablets is decreasing because developers are more interested in creating apps for wearable devices, which saw a 24 percent increase over the past year.

“The measure for maturity isn’t just the number of installations or percentage of people developing for it; it’s also measured in terms of how much it is being extended to other new uses that were not originally envisioned for those platforms,” said Michael Rasalan, director of Research at Evans Data. “For instance, in 2008, we would not have equated Android with car stereos, and now the majority of connected car application developers are targeting Android Auto.”

SmartThings hires Google exec

SmartThings, Inc., the Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. owned IoT company, has hired Dora Hsu, former Google executive, as its chief platform officer to lead its IoT developer platform. Hsu will be responsible for attracting developers to use the SmartThings developer environment and integrate devices to the SmartThings ecosystem as Samsung hopes to create an IoT unifying platform.

Aside from Hsu joining the SmartThings team, its CEO Alex Hawkinson stated that the company will be adding analytics, certification and other features to its platform to help developers get the most out of it.

“We will also be making investments in certification, marketing, and monetization support to help developers and device makers to reach significant numbers of new customers through SmartThings,” Hawkinson told Gigaom, Inc. “The goal is to not just help developers to rapidly innovate, but to also help them to improve the lives of many consumers while building a great business in the process.”

Windows 10 will be available for $35 Raspberry Pi 2

The Raspberry Pi Foundation has made the $35 Raspberry Pi available for purchase. Raspberry Pi has played a crucial role in the advancement of connected devices and Microsoft wants in on the game. The software giant announced that it is expanding its Windows Developer Program for IoT by making a version of Windows 10 compatible for use with the Raspberry Pi 2.

“We are excited about our partnership with the Raspberry Pi Foundation and delivering a version of Windows 10 that supports Raspberry Pi 2, and we will be sharing more details about our Windows 10 plans for IoT in the coming months,” Microsoft announced in a news release.

Photo source: http://www.raspberrypi.org/raspberry-pi-2-on-sale/