An international study conducted by Evans Data Corp has highlighted the surge in IoT app development.
Development for the Internet of Things has seen significant growth in the past 12 months, according to a newly released Global Developer Population and Demographics Study from Evans Data Corp.
The study suggests that the number of developers currently working on IoT applications has increased by 34 percent since last year. The figure of IoT developers currently working on projects in the space is thought to stand at just over 6.2 million.
Findings from Evans Data Corp also show that the increase of development for mobile devices, up 14 percent since last year, has led to smartphones being the most commonly connected IoT platform.
“We’re seeing how in the space of just a year, the possibilities introduced by the Internet of Things has attracted many developers,” said Michael Rasalan, director of research for Evans Data Corp.
“This transition to IoT, while not without barriers, is rapid because developers are able to leverage existing knowledge and expertise in complementary technologies like cloud and mobile to create entirely new use cases.”
Rasalan also highlighted the wide scope for potential IoT developments. “We’re also seeing developers branch out from concepts centered on wearables to applications for more complex tasks, seen in the industrial space.”
IT giants can push IoT app development forward
The findings have surfaced in the same week that Samsung has announced huge IoT investment, to the tune of $1.2 billion, in research and development.
Speaking to Internet of Business, Dr Kevin Curran, senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), highlighted the challenge that developers face when choosing connectivity options.
“One frustrating aspect of the IoT is the enormous choice of connectivity options for developers working on systems for the Internet of Things (IoT). Even in the communications aspect, you have to decide on whether you adopt Bluetooth, WiFi, Zigbee, 6LowPAN, Z-Wave, Thread, Cellular, SigFox, Neul, LoRaWan and more.”
“That is also only one part of the stack. We have not even touched on the all-important middleware or application layers. No wonder there is no killer IoT application as of yet. Initiatives from IT giants like Samsung can help bridge some of the gaps in competing standards in the IoT space. We really have to welcome it.”
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