The Wifi Alliance presents a new certification program-- Wifi Aware, a means to validate the capability for energy-efficient, proxy-based service discovery among wifi-enabled devices.

In other words, it allows devices to discover other devices, applications and information nearby before making a wifi connection. The system continuously scans surroundings, anticipates actions and notifies users of available services and selected preferences.

The alliance adds the Wifi Aware operates indoors and in dense environments, and does not require cellular, wifi or GPS connectivity. Instead it makes use of small, power-efficient messages to create a common "heartbeat" between devices before an app initiates wifi connection to follow-up on activities such as photo sharing or multiplayer games.

The Thread Group, the organisation behind the IP-based wireless networking protocol founded by the Google-owned Nest, announces addition of Qualcomm to the board of directors together with the launch of the the protocol.

"Thread was designed to be the foundation of the Internet of Things in the home by allowing developers and consumers to easily and securely connect hundreds of devices within a low-power, wireless mesh network," the group says. "Today's announcement means that Thread products are on the way and will be in customers' hands very shortly."

According to the makers Thread is superior to current 802.15.4-based networking technologies such as ZigBee or Z-Wave, since it is standards-based (including IEEE 802.15.4, IPv6 and 6LoWPAN) and makes use of "robust" low-power mesh networks. The technology also promises "banking-class" encryption and simple connectivity via PC, smartphone or tablet.

Google presents another framework for the Internet of Things (IoT) at its I/O conference in the shape of Brillo, an Android-derived operating system promising "an end-to-end, complete solution" for device connectivity.

Described as an "end-to-end functioning OS," Brillo is designed to power the lightweight devices making the IoT, as well as any number of smart home devices.

Networking comes through Weave, a communications layer allowing IoT devices to talk to each other and with the cloud. Similar to offerings such as the ZigBee Cluster Library, it supports wifi and Bluetooth Low Energy, as well low-power networking protocols such as the Google-owned Nest's Thread.

Gefen says the Matrix Controller (EXT-CU-LAN) offers an easier way to detect, configure and configure Gefen HDMI, DVI and VGA over IP products through a user-friendly web interface.

It detects all Gefen sender and receiver units on a LAN, and assigns IP addresses to each one. Once senders and receivers are configured it controls AV signal routers just like a traditional cross-point matrix, but with no need for traditional AV cables.

Instead, AV is distributed over LAN via network switch, allowing for flexibility in source and display placement, scalability and expansion.

Researchers at the University of Washington propose wifi can do more than simply wirelessly connect devices to networks and the internet-- it might also be able to charge device through "Power over Wifi" (PoWiFi).

The system consist of two components, namely an access point (or router) and specially-built sensors. The access point features custom software allowing it to simultaneously act as power delivery source and wifi router, while the sensors harvest RF power and convert it into DC power.

Admittedly wifi signals carry a limited amount of power-- 1W to be precise, making it unsuitable with smartphones but still ideal for small connected devices. As such the researchers have used PoWiFi to power a small camera located 5m away from a router, as well as charge a fitness charger and temperature sensors.

Pakedge launches the WK-1-- an enterprise-grade wireless access point with a built-in 2x2 radio the company claims pushes three times more speed and throughput than wireless-N access points.

It features polycarbonate housing and internal antennae, with an industrial design one can blend into any installation. Customers can also paint it to blend it further in almost any architecture environment.

Power comes through PoE+, and a high signal-to-noise ratio promises a clear signal from anywhere, making it ideal for installation (via included brackets) in hard to reach places. Setup comes through a redesigned GUI Packedge says is intuitive and easy to use.