BMW has started connecting its cars 17 years ago. In 1997, BMW was the first carmaker to introduce the e-call in their vehicles. In 2008, they were the first to provide free internet access in the automotive industry. In 2011, BMW integrated with third party app developers such as Spotify to enhance their drivers’ in-car experiences. And last year, BMW launched the BMW Connected Drive Store and navigation update “over-the-air”.

Most of the BMW fleet is now connected; the “Internet of Cars” is already here today. In the “Internet of Things,” the boundaries between home, office and other devices are disappearing. In the “Internet of Cars,” the most fascinating of devices – the automobile – are connected to personal digital assistant – seamlessly, safely, and easily.

By collaborating with companies in other industries like Samsung, which provides new eco-systems for their customers, BMW has been connecting the customers’ world to the company itself. Notable examples are the BMW Remote App, which allows users to control their BMW cars and know about their cars’ state anytime with the connected Samsung Gear S; the latest and world’s first “BMW Touch Command,” a Samsung tablet that is fully integrated into the environment of the car and comes with a dedicated BMW HMI.

BMW has also been connecting its cars to the Smart Home. For example, the Solar Car port can provide wireless inductive charging. Users are informed by their Smart TVs about the “Traffic situation” or “charge status” of their BMWs. Frickenstein claimed that Samsung’s Gear S, tablets and Smart Home integration are three steps towards the “Internet of Cars”.

Frickenstien strongly believes that connectivity will be the key technology for highly automated driving in the future. He predicts that car sensor information will be shared over the cloud with all other cars – swarm intelligence straight ahead.

For the full version of the BMW executive’s presentation, watch the video below:

According to Rifkin, every great economic paradigm shift in history brings together three new technologies that changes the way we organize our economic life: 1) new communication technologies to more efficiently manage economic activity; 2) new sources of energy to more efficiently power economic activity; and 3) new modes of transportation to more efficiently move economic activity.

Today, we are embarking on a revolution named the Internet of Things, in which every device and appliance communicate with each other, homeowners and businesses will be able to produce and consume their own solar and wind green electricity, and the automated Transportation and Logistics Internet will easy mobility by allowing us to use the mobile devices to share electric and fuel cell vehicles, monitor traffic flows.

While the economic opportunities brought on by prosumer electronics will transform our lives, the wholesale transition to an Internet of Things society comes with its own challenges. First, we need to ensure a common set of codes, regulations, and standards to advance interoperability, so that every device can communicate and share data with Internet users in an open system.

Rifkin brought to attention that Government, business, and civil society will have to join hands and collaborate to ensure access to the Internet of Things, protect personal privacy, and guarantee data security. Through these effort and collaboration, the rise of the Internet of Things can improve the lives of billions of people and create a more efficient, democratic, and sustainable future.

For the full version of the insight Jeremy Rifkin shared, check out the video below:

With UP, Jawbone has a totally integrated system that goes beyond just ‘hardware’ and ‘software’. It’s a system that includes advanced tracking, sophisticated algorithms, engaging applications, data science and API partners, and a full platform of partner applications. It’s all of these things working in concert. The system approach gives Jawbone unique insight into what is going on in and around the body – 24/7. When these are brought all together, “Jawbone can deliver amazingly rich experiences”.

However, Rahman strongly believes that these amazing experiences can only be delivered if Jawbone works together with others. In fact, Jawbone has completely opened up its open platform UP to third-party developers. One of its favorite developers is SmartThings. Its partnership with SmartThings is a great example of how Jawbone can make the Internet of Things work. By connecting UP to SmartThings, users can now activate their entire smart home through their UP band. It perfectly syncs their bedtime and wakeup routine with the rest of their houses.

More than 2,500 developers are building integrations for Jawbone – from fitness to smart homes to cars. But this is not just about getting the data. It’s about getting results and delivering great experiences for users. It’s the beginning of a path to a fully connected world centered around the user, which Jawbone thinks about and motivates itself. Jawbone plans to continue to build out these fantastic integrations. The role of developers and partnerships crucial; they are the people, who will identify the great new products and services that really make a difference in people’s lives.

For the full footage of Hosain Rahman speaking, watch the video below:

At the CES 2015 Opening Keynote, as BK Yoon, President and CEO at Samsung Electronics, addressed the world on IoT, Hawkinson was also there to share his two cents. Now, working with Samsung as a part of Samsung, SmartThings’ services not only work with all of Samsung’s wearable devices like Gear S and all its connected appliances, it’s been expanding ever since.

Hawkinson explained that the SmartThings ecosystem is now compatible with more devices than any other IoT or smart home platform in the world. “It gives consumers the freedom of choice across all top IoT services and applications — from security and energy savings to entertainment, health and beyond.”

Along with new SmartThings Hub and Sensors and an optional Premium Service, SmartThings also announced new integrations on the open platform including Netgear and D-Link cameras, Somfy window shades, Philips hue lighting, Honeywell thermostats, Chamberlain garage door openers and more. All its services will be available nationwide in April.

Also, as each person, family and country has different needs, a large, no, a huge developer community is required – you need all the inspiration and imagination from the different people. Not only the IoT software and IoT hardware, we need a truly open approach that embraces developers. Well, according to Hawkinson, “the number of developers working with the SmartThings platform has doubled since the partnership with Samsung.”

For more about what Alex Hawkinson had to share at the CES 2015 Opening Keynote, check out the video below: