One of the most used buzzwords in the technology sector is IoT or IoE, which stand for Internet of Things or Internet of Everything. Technology research company Gartner (NYSE:IT) defines IoT as “the network of physical objects that contain embedded technology to communicate and sense or interact with their internal states or the external environment”. In other words, after we added computing capabilities to our phones, televisions, watches, glasses, cars, etc. and turned them into mobile computers, the next phase is to computerize more objects like refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, ovens, boilers, clothes, plants, etc.

Once these objects have computing capabilities, they could interact with each other, improve aspects of our lives, inform us of certain actions we need to take, and add a data-based decision-making process to our everyday lives. According to Gartner,  the installed base of IoT units is expected to grow by up to 25 billion units in 2020, with an impressive 38% CAGR, as shown in chart 1 below.

All of these new computing systems have hardware and software requirements different from those of the computing systems we have known so far. The new systems require processors that can deliver more information faster, under lower power, and at a lower cost. In 2014, to address the changing needs of computing components, microprocessor giant,Intel (INTC)  introduced its Edison CPU, targeted for the IoT and wearables markets. Edison is unique because of its tiny size (only 35.5 x 25 x 3.9 mm) and broad capabilities compared to its size (WiFi, Bluetooth and USB controllers). Intel was obviously the most notable company to offer hardware solutions tailor-made for the IoT market. However, many other hardware companies spotted the trend and started developing ultra-low-power solutions for the IoT market. Now even GE has sights set on IoT, and with the recent announcement of GE Digital, GE’s push in that direction could get more focused. IBM also recently announced a new initiative to bring connected cars to the Internet of Things (IoT) cloud.