This week’s Smart World Series features the latest developments in transportation tackling congested roads and ports with the Internet of Things (IoT), Apple’s latest possible plans for the smart home, what you need to know about the Amazon Dash button, a new developer community 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 IoT.

Untangling world’s biggest traffic jams: Where IoT meets transit

Our ports and cities may soon see decongestion thanks to IoT. In New Jersey, the state has partnered with IBM to utilize its traffic management system to access tools needed to manage speed limits and send travel messages to motorists. In Germany, the Port of Hamburg has seen some changes over the years that allowed it to gather traffic data thanks to sensors installed on the port, including traffic volume, speed and types of vehicles, as well as weather conditions that can affect motorists.

Read more about how the Internet of Things is decongesting traffic here.

Is Apple using biometrics for smart home service?

A new patent application from Apple may reveal the Cupertino giant’s plan for the smart home. The patent application describes how biometrics can be used to deliver personalized environment for the user.

Also featured in this roundup: how consumers are now choosing to purchase smart thermostats; Elgato’s Eve home monitoring devices are powered by ams AG AS-MLV-P2 MEMS VOC (volatile organic compound) gas sensor; the high-tech man cave The Skysphere; and how consumers are more interested in purchasing home automation products from insurance providers.

Read more about these updates in our Smart Living roundup.

How to use Amazon’s Dash Button, now available to Prime members

Amazon’s Dash Button is now available for purchase to Amazon Prime subscribers for only $4.99 per button. There are 18 buttons to choose from; each button represents a different brand. You can program each button to reorder one specific product from the brand line, which means the button caters to people who frequently order one specific item.

Read more about the Dash Button, how to set it up and the brands available here.

New IoT recipes for developers, from IBM hub

IBM launched a new developer community that would help developers of all levels to quickly connect IoT devices to the Cloud.

Also featured in this roundup is FocusMotion’s SDK to turn any wearable device into a fitness tracker, and Embarcadero Technologies, Inc.’s BeaconFence, an indoor/outdoor beacon-based user location and zone management solution for developers.

Read more about these new developer tools and community in our Smart DevOps roundup.

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

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