The Internet of Things will replace mobile phones as most connected device in 2018

Internet of thing sensors and device are expected to exceed mobile phone as the largest category of connected devices in 2018. Growing at a 23% compound annual growth rate from 2015 to 2021 according to an Ericsson report.

Internet of things (IOT) sensors and devices are expected to exceed mobile phones as the largest category of connected devices in 2018, growing at a 23% compound annual growth (CAGR) from 2015 to 2021.

By 2021 there will be 9B mobile subscriptions, 7.7B mobile broadband subscriptions, and 6.3B smartphone subscriptions. Worldwide smartphone subscription will grow at a 10.6% CAGR from 2015 to 2012 with Asia/Pacific (APAC) gaining 1.7B new subscribers alone.

These and insight are from the 2016 Ericsson mobility report (PDF, no opt-in). Ericcson has provided a summary of the findings and a series of interactive graphics here. Ericsson created the subscription and traffic forecast baseline this analysis is based on using historical data from a variety of internal and external sources. Ericsson also validated trending analysis through the use of their planning models. Future development is estimated based on macro economic trends, user trends (researched by Ericsson Consumer Lab), market maturity, technology development expectations and documents such as industry analyst reports, on a national or regional level, together with internal assumptions and analysis.

Internet of things (IOT) sensors and devices are expected to exceed mobile phones at largest category of connected devices in 2018, 23% compound annual growth rate (CAGR 2015 to 2021). Ericsson predicts there will a total approximately 28B connected devices worldwide by 2021, With nearly 16B related to IOT. The following graphic compares cellular IOT, non cellular IOT pc, laptops and tablets mobile phones, and fixed phones connected devices growth from 2015 to 2021.

Global mobile broadband subscriptions will reach 7.7B by 2021, accounting for 85% of all subscriptions. Ericsson is predicating there will be a 9B mobile 7.7B internet user by coming flow year of 2021. and 6.3B smartphone subscriptions by 2021 as well. 

Apple Seeds Sixth Beta of watchOS 3 to Developers

Apple today seeded the sixth beta of an upcoming watchOS 3 update to developers for testing purposes, one week after seeding the fifth beta and two months after first unveiling watchOS 3 at its 2016 Worldwide Developers Conference.

The sixth watchOS 3 beta can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on an iPhone by going to General --> Software update.

To install the update, the Apple Watch needs to have 50 percent battery, it must be on the Apple Watch charger, and it must be in range of the iPhone. watchOS 3 also requires an iPhone running iOS 10 to install.

watchOS 3 introduces significant changes to the watchOS operating system. A new dock, accessible by pressing the side button, replaces Glances and houses 10 favorite first and third-party apps. Apps in the dock are kept continually up to date and are stored in memory for a new instant launch ability.

New Activity Sharing options allow Apple Watch owners to share workout and activity information with friends, and there are new fitness features for Wheelchair users. A Breathe app guides users through daily deep breathing sessions, an Apple Watch can unlock a Mac, and Apple has added apps for Reminders, Find My Friends, and accessing one's heartbeat.

Additional watch faces support complications, there are three new watch faces to choose from, including a new Activity watch face, and an SOS feature will make sure an option to get help in an emergency is always right at your fingertips. On the iPhone, there's a new Face Gallery for customizing Apple Watch faces, and watchOS 3 allows the Apple Watch to be located via Find My iPhone for the first time.