This week’s Smart DevOps features a new developer community for the Internet of Things (IoT), a Software Developer Kit (SDK) that turns any wearable into a fitness tracker, and a location and zone management solution for developers.

IBM launches new IoT developer community

Big Blue announced the launch of the IBM developerWorks Recipes, a community designed to help developers — from novice to experienced — quickly and easily connect IoT devices to the Cloud. Developers will also learn how to use data coming from the connected devices.

Developers who join the community will be able to tap into IBM’s Bluemix, allowing them to implement step-by-step tutorials for embedding advanced analytics and machine learning into IoT devices and applications.

Some of the things developers can do include understanding vehicle performance by analyzing data from its On-Board Diagnostic system; linking real-time machine condition monitoring with IBM asset management to monitor everything from the health of household appliances to wheels on a railroad car; and even spotting trends and obtaining solutions to common problems through graphical representation of historical and real-time data from IoT devices.

Turn any wearable into a fitness tracker

Let’s be clear: Not every wearable device is a fitness tracker, as some wearable gadgets are merely companions for the smartphone. FocusMotion (Focus Ventures, Inc.) aims to change this with its Software Development Kit (SDK) that promises to turn any wearable tech into a fitness tracker.

The FocusMotion SDK works on any open platform and allows the developer to tap into the device’s gyroscope, accelerometer, magnetometer and electromyography so the wearer’s movements and pace can be better understood. This will allow developers to create apps that are more focused to human movements. Think of it a targeted approach to fitness.

An example is an app that tracks bicep curls. In a demo for The Next Web, FocusMotion CEO and Cofounder Cavan Canavan showed an app that tracks proper bicep curls and disregards any other movements, such as arm swinging while walking. The app only started counting when Canavan performed a proper bicep curl. Developers can set the SDK to track only specific movements so repetition and form are properly logged.

FocusMotion has partnered with Pebble Technology Corp. and Fitocracy, Inc., but its SDK, as earlier stated, can work with other devices that use an open OS. The FocusMotion SDK is now available for individual developers, and a public release is expected in the next few weeks.

Embarcadero’s new beacon-based solution

Embarcadero Technologies, Inc. unveiled BeaconFence, an indoor/outdoor beacon-based user location and zone management solution for developers. It enables developers and Independent Software Vendors (ISV) to easily add interactive user and device proximity support to iOS, Android, Windows and OS X applications.

Its proximity components track and report user or device location, zone presence/entry/exit, and movement in both indoor and outdoor scenarios with unprecedented precision. This technology enables the development of highly interactive apps that utilize end-user, customer or device proximity to or within any physical location, building or object.

While BeaconFence can be used in a wide range of applications, it is particularly well suited for retail, healthcare, entertainment and manufacturing application solutions.

BeaconFence features Bluetooth LE Indoor/Outdoor GPS-free user and device location tracking; radial and polygonal zone support; user and device location, intersection, movement, and enter/exit properties and events; support for standard iBeacons and AltBeacons available from a wide variety of vendors; Visual Zone designer with location blueprint and bird’s-eye view photo import; support for iOS, Android, Windows and OS X devices and apps; and support for Delphi, RAD Studio and C++Builder available today, with support for Visual Studio, Xcode, Java and Xamarin coming soon.

Photo by blickpixel (Pixabay)