tech:

taffy

Broadcom Bets Big On Internet Of Things With WICED Portfolio

broadcom

Broadcom has unveiled its Wireless Internet Connectivity for Embedded Devices (WICED) portfolio.

WICED is a platform that simplifies the implementation of Internet connectivity into an array of consumer devices, according to the company. By integrating Wi-Fi Direct (a specification that allows two devices to communicate with each other securely via Wi-Fi, without an access point or computer) into the WICED platform, OEMs can develop wearable products that communicate to the cloud via smart mobile devices.

Rahul Patel (Vice president, Marketing, Wireless Connectivity Combos, Broadcom): The value of a wearable device lies in its ability to connect to a smartphone or the Internet with minimal impact on battery life. 

Emerging segment leaders are currently designing health and wellness devices based on Broadcom WICED technology, including blood pressure monitors, glucometers, smart watches, and fitness bracelets, among other things, says Broadcom.

Near Field Communication (NFC) enables a consumer to buy a new wearable device and simply tap it to their smartphone so the devices can start to communicate instantly and securely.

Bluetooth Smart and Wi-Fi allow the consumer to collect data from their wearable device (i.e. calories burned, heart rate, etc.) and transfer it to their smartphone or into the cloud without draining the battery.

A wearable device combined with location technology allows for interesting new use cases such as doctors tracking patients in clinical environments or retailers sending targeted advertising to consumers.

Just in

Apple sued in a landmark iPhone monopoly lawsuit — CNN

The US Justice Department and more than a dozen states filed a blockbuster antitrust lawsuit against Apple on Thursday, accusing the giant company of illegally monopolizing the smartphone market, writes Brian Fung, Hannah Rabinowitz and Evan Perez.

Google is bringing satellite messaging to Android 15 — The Verge

Google’s second developer preview for Android 15 has arrived, bringing long-awaited support for satellite connectivity alongside several improvements to contactless payments, multi-language recognition, volume consistency, and interaction with PDFs via apps, writes Jess Weatherbed. 

Reddit CEO Steve Huffman is paid more than the heads of Meta, Pinterest, and Snap — combined — QZ

Reddit co-founder and CEO Steve Huffman has been blasted by Redditors and in media reports over his recently-revealed, super-sized pay package of $193 million in 2023, writes Laura Bratton. 

British AI pioneer Mustafa Suleyman joins Microsoft — BBC

Microsoft has announced British Artificial Intelligence pioneer Mustafa Suleyman will lead its newly-formed division, Microsoft AI, according to the BBC report. 

UnitedHealth Group has paid more than $2 billion to providers following cyberattack — CNBC

UnitedHealth Group said Monday that it’s paid out more than $2 billion to help health-care providers who have been affected by the cyberattack on subsidiary Change Healthcare, writes Ashley Capoot.