Linux Foundation Builds Internet of Things Effort

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The Linux Foundation does many different things, and is now leading an effort to help advance the Internet of Everything.

The Internet of Everything, sometime also simply referred to as the Internet of Things (IoT) is the idea that every device whether it’s a toaster, consumer electronics or a computer is going to be connected to the Internet. The new AllSeen Alliance effort, which is a Collaboration Project operated by the Linux Foundation, is an initiative that aims to make the IoT a more seamless and safe technology for everyone.

Among the vendors that are currently set to participate in AllSeen are: Haier, LG Electronics, Panasonic, Qualcomm, Sharp, Silicon Image and TP-LINK. Community members include Canary, Cisco, doubleTwist, Fon, Harman, HTC, Letv, LIFX, Lite-on, Moxtreme, Musaic, Sears Brand Management Corporation, Sproutling, The Sprosty Network, Weaved and Wilocity.

At the core of the AllSeen alliance is open-source technology first built by Qualcomm, known as the AllJoyn project.

Rob Chandhok, president, Qualcomm Connected Experiences, explained to Datamation that by bringing AllJoyn to the Linux Foundation, Qualcom will help the market as well as itself.

“This is a good business thing for Qualcom to help create an interoperable ecosystem,” Chandok said.”If it’s interesting for things to be connected, we will sell more connectivity.”

AllJoyn was open-source prior to becoming part of the Linux Foundation, though Chandok noted that governance is always important. By bringing AllJoyn into the Linux Foundation, a more open and transparent governance and contribution model can be enabled.

By having the Linux Foundation operate the project, vendors that might be considered to be Qualcom’s rivals should be able to openly participate as well. Chandok explained that there is nothing specific in AllJoyn that limits it to running on Qualcom gear.

“Qualcom will say to customers that we have a tested working version of AllJoyn on a particular chip and that’s a solution that other vendors will be able to do,” Chandok said. “I’d be thrilled if Broadcom picked this up and offered a solution based on it.”

As to why the Linux Foundation is the right place to be hosting the effort as opposed to bringing AllJoyn to a standards body, Linux Foundation Executive Director Jim Zemlin stressed that code is key.

“What’s most important is that code talks here and that’s what will create a standard for the Internet of Everything in terms of interoperability,” Zemlin said.

Though the new AllSeen Alliance is being hosted by the Linux Foundation, the technology is not specific to Linux.

“This is really OS agnostic and we like it that way,” Zemlin said. “It’s better for this to run on lots of platforms — it is after all, the Internet of Everything.”

Sean Michael Kerner is a senior editor at Datamation and InternetNews.com. Follow him on Twitter @TechJournalist

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