I have been having consulting with some friends and there is a disconnect of giant proportions when it comes to M2M.

 

The friends are looking for an M2M play for a company that is good with some sensors but looking to expand their services. Going up the food change the device folks are looking for a vision.

 

 The problem is the banter is such now that social networking streams out of everything they say comes back to Facebook (News - Alert) and Twitter.

 

The reality of the M2M is that most applications are somewhat boring so as you look to move up closer to the application the natural tendency is to look for the buzzy exciting “bright shiny object”.

 

So you have to hit them with a doze or reality, like...

            - “Do you really want to track your fleet on the same platform as farmville?”

            - “When the sensors report sensitive information on the honey pot of twitter?”

And my favorite line...

            - “Should I friend your accelerometer?”

 

 A few decades ago childrens TV was having a war about anthropomorhizing animals and all these therapists were ranting that children should see adults. I think Barney won against the Woogles.

 

So I am not sure I have a chance of geting my point across, but let me try it this way.

 

I can make a case for back end systems to take advantage of tools such as Googlemaps and other systems, but when it comes to sensors tweeting or using Facebook as a NOC (News - Alert) interface I think we have crossed the line.

 

On the other hand it may be that augmenting reality will make a bigger market for M2M solutions and I should embrace my sensors want to friend me. ;<)