Warming Up To IoT - Tendentious Thermal Tools
Dave Jones and Chris Gammell discuss the evolution of hardware tools, contrasting the complexity of modern four-layer PCBs with older two-layer designs, and the rise of accessible IoT platforms like the Electric Imp, Spark, and Blue Bean. They critique the Anonabox Kickstarter for its dishonesty, highlighting the risks of crowdfunding, while exploring the privacy implications of data collected by devices like the Nest thermostat and Dropcam. The conversation also covers the challenges of building hardware startups outside major tech hubs, emphasizing the critical need for local talent pools in cities like Silicon Valley versus Akron, Ohio.