This week’s Smart World Series features the battery woes of the upcoming Apple Watch, a refrigerator that brews you a cup of coffee on a schedule, Canonical’s push into the Internet of Things (IoT) and more.

For those who missed last week’s Smart World Series, here’s a chance to catch up on the exciting developments in the connected world.  Each week, SiliconANGLE rounds up the top news trends regarding smart homes and cars, smart data centers and IT, smart infrastructure and all things related to the Internet of Things.

Future-proofing the smart home startup

We are approaching the era of Internet-connected everything, but will connected devices today still be useful in the next five to ten years? This is one of the major issues manufacturers and startups are aiming to address with their various connected products, since few consumers are willing to purchase a new home appliance every time a new feature is launched.

Find out what startups, retailers and manufacturers have planned for the future of the Internet of Things here.

Canonical ushers Ubuntu into the Internet of Things

Canonical Ltd. is entering the Internet of Things with a revamped version of Ubuntu Core, an operating system launched about four years ago with little fanfare. To get into the IoT business, Canonical is updating the container-based updating mechanism of Ubuntu Core called Snappy, which handles the changes to apps and kernels similarly to how relational databases execute transactions.

Learn more about the revamped Ubuntu Core here.

HTC to enter smartwatch market

According to reports, HTC Corp. is set to unveil a new flagship smartphone during the Mobile World Congress 2015. But the fun doesn’t stop there, as the company is said to be also launching a smartwatch. The rumored smartwatch is said to integrate with Under Armour Inc.’s fitness app and website.

Learn more about HTC’s rumored devices here.

Startup to create light-based Wi-Fi substitute

Light communications technology company pureLiFi has raised approximately $2.26 million in a round of funding led by London & Scottish Investment Partners (LSIP) with the participation of Scottish Investment Bank (SIB) and Old College Capital. The round of funding will be used to further develop its products, as well as for sales and marketing.

Learn more about pureLiFi and its recent round of funding here.

Connected home trends: what to expect in 2015

The year has barely started, but we have already seen some interesting devices debut at CES 2015. Many are directed at the connected home and wearable tech, but what else can we expect for the Internet of Things this year? Recapping the highlights of last year’s trends, Icontrol’s Nathan Yang shares his vision of what 2015 will bring in smart home design and functionality.

Find out what we can expect for the Internet of Things this 2015 here.

Industrial Internet could add $14 trillion to global economy

According to a new report released by Accenture at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the world’s industry could stand to lose $14 trillion in potential income related to the Industrial Internet of Things if the industry fails to understand and take action. Many in the industry are focusing on the consumer side of IoT, but experts believe that the potential in raking in more revenue lies in industrial opportunities.

Learn more about Accenture’s report here.

2.5 hours of battery time for Apple Watch

The Apple Watch is slated for an early 2015 release with a hefty price tag of $349 for the basic model. As with any new Apple product launch, we can expect long lines at Apple retail stores when the Watch officially hits shelves. But will you still be interested in purchasing the Apple Watch if its battery only lasts about 2.5 hours with heavy use? The good news is, if you barely use it, the battery could last up to two or three days, but who would want a watch that needs to be charged so frequently when a regular watch has a battery that could last years?

Learn more about the Apple Watch’s poor battery expectations here.

These familiar brands are geekifying your cities

Navigant Research released a list of the Top 10 smart city suppliers, with IBM topping the list. Navigant determined which suppliers are leading based on a set of criteria that establishes a company’s strategy, partners, market reach, sales, and product performance, to name a few. Also featured in this roundup is the possibility of the U.S. and India teaming up to create smart cities of the future.

Learn more about the list of smart city suppliers and the US-India smart city partnership in our Smart City roundup.

Tune in next week for more interesting stories, discoveries and innovations in the world of smart and connected things.

 
photo credit: Nuchi Corp via photopin cc