Samsung is testing Perplexity-powered responses inside Bixby ahead of the Galaxy S26 launch, signaling a major AI upgrade.
The integration lets Bixby handle basic tasks while Perplexity answers complex, web-backed questions with sources.
Early signs of the feature have appeared in the One UI 8.5 beta, despite being planned for Galaxy S26.
Samsung appears to be laying the groundwork for a major Perplexity-powered Bixby upgrade ahead of Galaxy S26 series launch next year.
Samsung’s Galaxy AI suite already offers some of the most capable AI features among all Android smartphones, but Bixby has consistently lagged behind competitors. At the moment, Samsung largely relies on Google Gemini for deeper and complex queries. The company’s own Bixby assistant, on the other hand, are limited to basic tasks and commands.
For some time now, Samsung has been rumored to be working with Perplexity to give Bixby a much-needed AI upgrade. With this integration, Bixby would continue managing basic system actions like toggling settings or opening apps, while Perplexity would step in to answer more complex, web-backed queries complete with citations, similar to how Apple tapped OpenAI‘s ChatGPT to handle advanced requests in iOS 26.
Samsung looks to fix Bixby’s biggest weakness
(Image credit: @achultra on X)
The feature was initially rumored to debut alongside the Galaxy S26 series, but signs of it have already appeared in the latest One UI 8.5 beta. A screenshot shared by the user @achultra on X (via SammyGuru) shows Bixby responses clearly powered by Perplexity.
We weren’t able to get the feature working on our Galaxy S25 Ultra running the latest One UI 8.5 beta. However, the shared screenshot shows a complex query (involving a French-language question about weather) being answered by Bixby with Perplexity listed as the source.
Samsung already offers free Perplexity Pro access for Galaxy smartphone users and has been using Perplexity-powered answers on its smart TVs and other appliances. Still, this marks the first time we’re seeing signs of that integration making its way to Samsung smartphones.
While the feature was originally expected to launch exclusively with the Galaxy S26 lineup, this early appearance gives us a clearer idea of how the integration will work. If rolled out widely, it could finally give Samsung users a strong alternative to Google Gemini, and we expect to see more developments around this in the coming days.
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Groundhog Day is a fun February 2 tradition that’s all about a famous groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil and his weather prediction.
What is the meaning of the shadow for the groundhog?
If the groundhog sees his shadow, it’s said we’ll have six more weeks of winter. If he doesn’t see his shadow, it means an early spring may be on the way.
Amazfit is supercharging its sports watch lineup with the Active Max, a new smartwatch that promises nearly a month of battery life and sports-watch level fitness chops. Launched ahead of CES 2026 as part of the wave of Consumer Electronics Show announcements, the Active Max builds on Amazfit’s existing Active line with a larger, brighter display and a bigger battery along with training and recovery tools typically reserved for far more expensive watches.
Amazfit has built a reputation for making competitive smartwatches with many of the same core health and fitness features as big-name flagships but at a fraction of the price. Because Amazfit runs its own Zepp OS, pairing isn’t as seamless as watches tied to their phones’ operating systems, but the payoff is cross-platform compatibility with both Android and iPhone.
Bright screen and big battery
The Active Max has a 1.5-inch AMOLED display with up to 3,000 nits of peak brightness. It’s framed in an aluminum-and-plastic case, weighs 35.3 grams, and is water-resistant up to 5 ATM.
The Amazfit Active Max is a sports-focused smartwatch that can lasts up to 25 days on a charge.
Amazfit
But its standout feature is its 658 mAh battery, which Amazfit says can last up to 25 days on a charge, or up to 10 days with the always-on display enabled. If those estimates hold up in real-world testing, the Active Max would outlast most mainstream smartwatches, competing at the dedicated sport watch level (some of which don’t even have a touchscreen).
Health and fitness features
The other major focus is fitness. The Active Max has more than 160 different workout options to choose from, including automatic strength training detection that can help you count reps, and even has its own AI-powered coach in the Zepp app.
It also debuted a new metric called BioCharge, which tracks energy levels based on output and recovery. It continuously updates based on activity, workouts and stress levels throughout the day to help you optimize training time, similar to Fitbit’s Readiness score and Garmin’s Body Battery.
The watch includes continuous background health tracking, measuring heart rate, sleep quality, blood oxygen levels and stress, with alerts for abnormally high or low readings. The watch supports Bluetooth calling, onboard music storage, offline maps and route navigation, including maps for more than 2,000 ski resorts.
How does it stack up?
At $169, the Active Max isn’t exactly budget smartwatch territory, but it’s a strong value in the sport watch category. It’s a worthy option for anyone prioritizing battery life and cross-platform compatibility without having to spend flagship-level money.
As with most CES-season announcements, real-world testing will ultimately determine how well it delivers on its promises, but on paper the Active Max continues Amazfit’s push to offer feature-rich wearables at lower prices than its big-name rivals. Amazfit says the Active Max will be available starting December 30.
For more announcements ahead of CES 2026, check out CNET’s full CES coverage.
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While the most online Path of Exile 2 players cry about a damaged economy from a recent exploit, one player has been more concerned with pulling off a feat many would think impossible.
Thanks to YouTube user isfooPoE, we now know its possible to kill some of the toughest bosses in the game without wearing a single piece of gear.
Loot is king in PoE 2, as it is in any other action RPG, but it’s also apparently optional if you’re playing a monk with the power to shock bosses in one swift strike. IsfooPoE’s build requires nothing but a set of unarmed skills that do a surprising amount of damage without any items to supplement them.
Their fight against Arbiter of Ash is mighty impressive to watch, mostly because it’s the clearest example of the soulslike bones in PoE 2. IsfooPoE dodge-rolls out of the bosses swings like they’re in a FromSoftware game. The boss has the power to set the entire room on fire and it still can’t land many hits on a dude wearing nothing but a t-shirt and pants.
The high damage largely comes from a skill that triggers lightning strikes when you dash. Those lightning strikes then explode the ice walls isfooPoE puts around the boss. It’s a simple combo that does more than enough damage without gear.
Normally, boss kill videos feature the player showcasing their gear to give people an idea of how hard it is to get. Powerful builds either take lots of time to farm up or lots of currency to buy the gear through trade. Not this one though.
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“What did I just witness? Holy..” Reddit user cryalote wrote in a post about the build.
I recently got my first kill on Arbiter of Ash a few days ago. It took me close to 15 tries and I had a full set of gear. Playing a squishy sorceress is rough, but now I know I was playing with training wheels compared to this person.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act into law on Friday, requiring social media platforms to display warning labels about features that can harm young users’ mental health. The law targets what it calls “predatory features,” including algorithmic feeds, autoplay, infinite scroll, push notifications, and like counts.
The SAFE for Kids Act requires platforms to display these warnings prominently and prohibits hiding them in terms of service documents. The mental health commissioner will determine the exact content and frequency of the alerts. Companies that violate these requirements face $5,000 civil penalties per violation, Jurist reports.
Hochul compared the warning labels to those required on tobacco and alcohol products.
“New Yorkers deserve transparency,” she said in a statement. “With the amount of information that can be shared online, it is essential that we prioritize mental health and take the steps necessary to ensure that people are aware of any potential risks.”
The law claims that addictive feeds have caused young users to spend more time on social media, which increases the risks of suicide, depression, and anxiety. It follows New York’s Child Data Protection Act, which took effect in June, preventing websites and devices from collecting or selling data from users under 18.
New York is the third state (after California and Minnesota) to require social media platforms to alert users about addictive features. The Los Angeles Unified School District also bans cell phone use by students during school hours.
Australia also recently took an aggressive approach, banning social media entirely for users under 16, with platform owners facing fines up to $32 million for non-compliance.
For entrepreneurs, buying a rental property isn’t just about finding a place someone will live. It’s about acquiring an asset that produces predictable cash flow without turning into a maintenance drain. A proper inspection is what separates a scalable investment from a costly distraction.
This home inspection checklist for entrepreneurs buying rentals is designed with one goal in mind: helping you evaluate a property the way an operator would, not the way an emotional buyer does.
Why Entrepreneurs Need a Different Inspection Mindset
Routine inspections gauge safety and habitability, yes, yet a property entrepreneur must look deeper—how the structure withstands years of use, how often repairs crop up, how tenants feel, and what it costs to run.
A loose handrail matters because it’s a liability risk. An aging roof matters because it can wipe out a year of net income. A hidden pest issue matters because it compounds quietly until repairs become unavoidable.
Seasoned rental owners often say the home inspection report isn’t just a checklist—it’s a forecast.
Structural and Foundation Issues That Affect Long-Term ROI
Foundation problems are among the most expensive issues a rental owner can face, and they rarely get better on their own. Cracks wider than a quarter inch, doors that won’t close properly, or uneven flooring can indicate shifting or settling.
One Midwest investor learned this the hard way after skipping a structural engineer review on a duplex with “minor” foundation cracks. Within three years, water intrusion led to mold remediation and structural reinforcement costing over $38,000—nearly three years of net cash flow gone.
Entrepreneurs should treat foundation stability as a non-negotiable, not a cosmetic concern.
Pest and Wood-Destroying Organisms: The Silent Profit Killer
Termites quietly carve profits out of rental deals, a risk many buyers gloss over, especially in humid Gulf and Atlantic counties.
Mud tubes tracing the slab, blistered paint along baseboards, hollow knocks on support beams, or doors suddenly scraping their frames all whisper infestation. Even a single disclosure note about past tenting or spot-drilling hints the fight is ongoing.
This is why experienced investors often consult a professional termite treatment provider before closing. Identifying active or historical infestations early allows buyers to renegotiate price, require remediation, or walk away entirely.
In Florida, for example, termite-related repairs are among the top unexpected expenses for first-time landlords, according to regional property management data.
Roofing, Drainage, and Moisture Control
Roofing problems are rarely isolated issues. A compromised roof leads to water damage, insulation failure, mold growth, and tenant complaints that escalate quickly.
Entrepreneurs should confirm the roof’s remaining lifespan, not just whether it’s currently leaking. Patchwork repairs often signal deferred maintenance. Poor gutter systems and improper grading can direct water toward the foundation, compounding structural risks.
A Texas investor who underestimated drainage issues on a four-unit property spent over $12,000 correcting water flow problems after repeated slab moisture issues triggered tenant move-outs.
Electrical and Plumbing: Liability and Scalability Concerns
Older electrical systems may technically function, but that doesn’t mean they’re adequate for modern usage. Insufficient panel capacity, aluminum wiring, or outdated breakers increase fire risk and insurance costs.
Plumbing issues follow a similar pattern. Galvanized pipes, slow drains, and inconsistent water pressure often indicate system-wide degradation. These problems don’t just affect maintenance costs; they impact tenant satisfaction and retention.
Entrepreneurs planning to scale should think in systems. If one unit has failing plumbing, others likely will too.
HVAC Systems and Operational Predictability
Heating and cooling systems are among the most expensive single components in rental properties.
During inspection, investors should document system age, service history, and efficiency ratings. An HVAC unit near end-of-life may still work during inspection but fail during peak season, forcing emergency replacements at premium prices.
A case study from a multi-state rental operator showed that proactive HVAC replacements reduced emergency maintenance calls by 42 percent over five years, improving tenant retention and budgeting accuracy.
Exterior Conditions and Tenant Perception
The exterior tells a story about how the property has been treated.
Cracked walkways, loose railings, damaged siding, or poor lighting aren’t just cosmetic flaws. They create safety risks and influence how tenants perceive management quality. Properties that look neglected externally often experience higher turnover and more complaints.
This is especially relevant in shared communities or HOA-managed properties. Understanding how associations handle maintenance is critical, and resources explaining what happens if an HOA goes bankrupt can provide valuable context before committing capital.
Legal, Zoning, and Market Fit Checks
Even a flawless home inspection checklist for entrepreneurs can’t save a deal that doesn’t work legally or operationally.
Entrepreneurs should confirm zoning compliance, rental restrictions, and local ordinances before closing. Short-term rental bans, occupancy limits, or licensing requirements can derail projected returns overnight.
Many investors pair inspections with broader acquisition research, including guidance on different ways to find a house to buy, ensuring properties align with both market demand and regulatory realities.
For authoritative guidance on housing standards and inspection benchmarks, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provides detailed resources on property condition requirements and safety standards at https://www.hud.gov.
Translating Inspection Findings Into Financial Decisions
The most valuable step happens after the inspection report is delivered.
Entrepreneurs should categorize findings based on urgency, cost, and tenant impact. Immediate safety issues require resolution before renting. Medium-term repairs should be budgeted into reserves. Long-term upgrades inform future capital planning.
This financial translation is what turns an inspection from a report into a strategy.
Conclusion: Inspect Rentals Like Revenue Assets
A strong home inspection checklist for entrepreneurs buying rentals goes beyond identifying problems. This will help you understand how a property will perform as a business asset over time.
When inspections are treated as due diligence instead of formalities, entrepreneurs avoid emotional purchases, negotiate more effectively, and protect long-term cash flow. That discipline is often the difference between owning rentals and building a rental business.
Apple keeps most of its product pricing on a tight leash, but we do see the company’s AirTags go on sale pretty frequently. Another cost cut has come around for this item just in time for the new year. Amazon is currently selling a four-pack of AirTags for $65. At a third off the regular cost, that price is pretty close to the record low discount of $63 we’ve seen for these Bluetooth trackers.
Apple
That’s a near-record low price on the Bluetooth trackers.
AirTags can be useful for people who travel frequently, helping you to keep track of essentials like your passport as well as a way to keep tabs on luggage while you’re on the go. If you do purchase some AirTags, we have some recommendations for useful accessories to go along with them, such as different styles of cases to best attach the trackers to different types of items. These are worth looking over and adding to your shopping cart in order to make the most of the product.
AirTags have an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance and their replaceable batteries should last for about a year. They can also support Precision Finding, which gives more exact directions to a lost item, when paired with most models after the iPhone 11. Up to five people can share an AirTag’s location, which is helpful for families or large travel groups.
Welcome to the world where coffee makers talk with phones, fridges keep grocery lists, and doorbells have opinions. The Internet of Things has turned everyday objects into smart, connected companions that make daily living a bit easier, faster, and a lot more exciting. But behind every brilliant gadget and slick interaction, there’s a team of ingenious designers and product design engineers turning ideas into smart products.
Locating the right amount of talent may sometimes be tricky, but that’s where Cad Crowd is a great starting point, because no matter if you need to create a prototype for some new smart device or manufacture a connected product, you are working with skilled IoT freelancers ready to make your vision a reality. Put on your virtual hard hat as we delve into the top IoT design companies that shape the future of connected products.
Cad Crowd
Cad Crowd connects innovators, startups, and businesses with a global network of professional IoT designers, engineers, and product developers. The platform offers customers an avenue for freelance talent in hardware design, sensor integration, embedded systems, or prototyping-anything they might want to bring their vision for IoT-enabled products to life. Customers hire freelancers on Cad Crowd for everything from developing a concept to designing a product or getting it ready for full-scale manufacturing. Offering flexible pricing and on-demand collaborative options, Cad Crowd lets customers go from concept to production sooner, faster, and at a lower cost than was previously possible. More than any other typical company, Cad Crowd offers scalability because customers can make custom IoT solutions more quickly at affordable costs by leveraging its trusted freelance marketplace.
10Pearls
10Pearls has the capability to design, build, and launch connected devices, each custom-built to elevate the digital experience and operations of a company. IoT services such as hardware integration, embedded engineering, and cloud connectivity for smart products are available. The team has experience in converting conventional systems into intelligent data-driven solutions, enabling predictive maintenance and real-time analytics. The company also offers services in digital strategy, UX design, and cybersecurity integration so IoT products remain secure and efficient. This includes support throughout the full product life cycle, but for those companies needing flexible, project-based collaboration, Cad Crowd’s freelance network around the world can be more adaptive and cost-effective with regard to product design and manufacturing related to IoT.
Alarm.com provides IoT-based security and smart home systems, intelligently monitoring and automating properties. The engineering company is experienced in integrating sensors, cameras, and devices into one system for safekeeping both at home and commercially. These range from IoT solutions with cloud-based, real-time data management, including mobile interfaces for the control and customization of such systems. Alarm.com focuses on reliability, seamless connectivity, and ease of use. The company is mostly focused on its proprietary smart home technology, and hence, companies that may need broader services in IoT product design or specific device development may find Cad Crowd’s diverse freelance talent ideal for custom projects.
IoT-driven communication platforms from AlertMedia power the future of workplace safety and emergency response. The company designs and develops connected systems for gathering, processing, and distributing sensor and communication channel data that enable an organization to coordinate in real time. Design and development teams develop robust hardware and software integrations with enterprise manufacturing and security networks. AlertMedia provides reliable cloud-connected systems for incident management. If your company is looking to prototype for IoT projects or industrial product design, Cad Crowd’s pool of engineers and designers may prove more versatile in terms of bringing your unique, connected product ideas to life fast.
Arm is an international Internet of Things design framework and semiconductor technology leader, providing organizations with the opportunity to design and manufacture energy-efficient, connected devices. Core competencies of the company include processor architecture, embedded design, and system optimization of smart hardware. With scalable IoT platforms, Arm supplies manufacturers and enables interoperability among devices and the cloud. In its ecosystem, product developers can prototype high-performance connected devices that can later be manufactured across industries. While Arm provides much-needed hardware infrastructure, businesses in need of design execution and product-specific IoT development will appreciate the flexibility given to them by freelance experts at Cad Crowd in personalized device design and quicker project turnover.
Armis is an IoT Security Solution that provides companies with the leading edge in advanced monitoring and protection of connected devices. Its team develops secure and scalable frameworks for protecting IoT products, from design and development through deployment. Armis seeks to help manufacturing design experts build cybersecurity into hardware and software systems to avoid vulnerabilities across industrial networks and consumer devices by combining analytics, automation, and continuous device visibility. While Armis brings vast security expertise, Cad Crowd offers a wide range of services in designing and prototyping IoT products and connects clients with specialists who will design, build, and secure devices for any given operational needs.
Augury develops IoT-enabled solutions for industrial performance, predictive maintenance, and health monitoring of machines, integrating smart sensors, data analytics, and AI-driven insights to realize huge gains in equipment reliability and efficiency in manufacturing. This will involve the design of connected systems that can detect failures and reduce downtimes at every stage of the production chains. By marrying innovative hardware with software intelligence, their IoT offerings have created unparalleled end-to-end visibility for industrial operations. While Augury specializes in machine health applications, Cad Crowd can support companies in general IoT product design and hardware development by engaging a diverse freelance community in everything from concept creation to full-scale prototype manufacturing.
IoT design and engineering services at Azilen Technologies span everything from embedded systems, sensor integration, and edge computing to cloud-based IoT platforms needed for connected consumer and industrial product development. Azilen supports customers in all respects, from the concept of a product down to its deployment, with seamless connectivity and efficient data exchange. Its engineers deal with everything, from hardware to software, that makes high-performance IoT solutions real. While Azilen provides end-to-end product engineering, companies that need flexible, project-based work or specialized freelance collaboration will find far more versatility, along with increased manufacturing support, through the Cad Crowd community of expert IoT designers and product developers.
C3 IoT provides intelligent products, managed connected assets, and advanced analytics. IoT solutions become implementations at enterprise scale: data, devices, and systems connected for business optimization. It makes predictive modeling, energy management, and operational efficiency accessible through cloud-based integration. Full services from C3 IoT will fit big organizations that are looking at scalable AI-driven IoT environments. For a startup or mid-size firm with more practical, product-level IoT development goals-e.g., custom IoT device design, prototyping, or manufacturing coordination- the flexible, on-demand network of Cad Crowd designers and engineers will be a much more approachable and affordable option.
Chamberlain Group designs and manufactures IoT-based access solutions for houses and commercial properties, such as smart garage door openers and connected entry systems. The value-added hardware of the company also includes software and radio frequency/wireless communication technologies to enable even more convenience, security, and automation in the immediate environment. Chamberlain introduces cloud connectivity and a mobile application that enables real-time management of access. Even though the company remains committed to its lines of proprietary products, Cad Crowd connects clients with experienced IoT designers and manufacturers of custom-connected products, made to meet particular user or industrial application needs.
Cisco has addressed the connected systems in the design of smart environments, incorporating hardware, software, and data management. The IoT Business Unit of Cisco provides for manufacturing automation, energy efficiency, and secure communications of devices. Cisco provides a scalable IoT framework architecture to enterprises for their product development and enhances processes related to industrial and commercial. Cisco ensures that real-time data flow and interoperability between devices exist. While Cisco remains focused on large-scale implementations, if your organization is looking for custom IoT product design and development, you’ll only find more agility through Cad Crowd and our network of freelance professionals that specialize in developing devices and prototype manufacturing.
IoT product development at Cody Solutions covers connected device design, prototyping, and manufacturing: embedded systems development, hardware engineering, and cloud integration on various smart consumer and industrial products. Cody Solutions helps its clients to create data-driven products for performance enhancement, monitoring, and user experience. Innovation applied with practical engineering brings the concept into efficient reality. Though good in-house development is provided by the company, Cad Crowd offers a broader flexibility to clients: connecting them with freelance IoT specialists able to take care of a variety of individual stages of a project or the whole design-to-production workflow according to the specifics needed by the business.
At Cooler Screens, IoT display technology reinvents the retail space. The company designs and develops connected screens on sensors, cameras, and analytics that power shopper engagement and drive store operations. Their IoT solutions are all about real-time data gathering, energy efficiency, and smart content delivery. Cooler Screens is one of the leading companies in building interactive digital merchandising systems where product design meets software integration. Companies wanting to design custom IoT hardware for applications off the beaten path tap into this pool of experienced designers and engineers at Cad Crowd for flexible, cost-effective connected product solutions.
Doodle Labs has developed advanced IoT communication technology to build industrial-grade wireless networking products for connected systems. The company designs and manufactures radio transceivers for highly reliable data transfer in drones, robotics, and industrial automation services. Engineering teams work on performance, miniaturization, and integration with IoT hardware platforms. Doodle Labs enables the enterprise to achieve good connectivity for mission-critical use cases. Even while the company provides robust wireless solutions, organizations that need more all-rounded IoT product design services, from prototyping right through hardware development, can look to Cad Crowd’s pool of freelancers for flexible, project-based collaboration that can help drive innovation from design through full-scale manufacturing.
Effortel provides IoT and telecommunication solutions to enable smart connectivity in enterprise operations, including system integration, data management, and device connectivity for enabling real-time monitoring and automation. They design, develop, and deploy customized IoT systems for customers by developing IoT platforms in consumer and industrial applications, hence optimizing connected devices. While Effortel focuses on network-driven innovation, Cad Crowd connects clients with freelance product designers and engineers who can deliver tailored hardware and software solutions for any scale of the project.
Elevat designs and develops IoT solutions to help manufacturers better digitize and manage their equipment. It is one of the main players in the design of connected products, data integration, and the development of predictive maintenance tools in industrial applications. Elevat connects machines to analytics for wiser insights, thus improving operations. The professional engineers in IoT device design at Elevat develop ways to enhance uptime by monitoring usage and optimizing asset performance. Full-cycle development support is provided right from concept through deployment. While Elevat focuses on industrial systems, Cad Crowd offers broader access to IoT professionals who design for multiple sectors, letting clients build tailored, connected products with flexible project collaboration options.
EnergySys Limited provides IoT-based software and system solutions in the vertical of energy and utilities. Essentially, it is good at designing cloud-connected applications that enable gathering, analytics, and visualization of data from production assets. EnergySys allows for the integration of IoT into the monitoring, control, and optimization of energy operations. Services include workflow automation and scalable data management in oil, gas, and renewables. While EnergySys creates very reliable software platforms, those customers who need hardware design services for IoT devices or prototypes will benefit from Cad Crowd’s freelance network, which connects customers with qualified engineers and designers able to create a complete IoT-ready product for industry and efficient deployment.
Fluidra North America designs, manufactures, and markets intelligent, connected pool and wellness systems to customers while using the IoT to better manage their use and maintenance. Product lines include intelligent pumps, lights, and water monitoring devices interconnected by mobile apps and cloud platforms. Its IoT solutions were intended to enhance user convenience, energy efficiency, and remote equipment control. Fluidra integrates robust hardware with intuitive software, integrated into residential and commercial applications. Clients can also take advantage of Cad Crowd’s platform to create their custom-connected products, hiring professional freelancers who design and prototype feature-rich IoT-enabled systems to meet their needs. It is also a company that is very oriented toward IoT innovation, mostly in specific product lines.
The industrial IoT solution by GE Digital includes the creation, connection, and management of smart manufacturing systems. It focuses on digital transformation through connected assets, predictive analytics, and process optimization. They go further in the creation of IoT platforms, which can support the monitoring and control of industrial operations in real time. Combining deep software experience with rich industrial hardware expertise, GE Digital increases productivity while enhancing equipment reliability. While best suited for large-scale enterprise needs, Cad Crowd can offer flexibility to smaller firms and startups, too, in a wide range of freelance IoT specialists who can deliver bespoke product design and manufacturing according to particular project goals and resource requirements.
Gembah develops IoT products, from an idea to actual manufacturing of IoT products, industrial design services, prototyping, sourcing, and production management of connected devices. As part of a global network, customers can take innovative IoT products faster to market. The responsible engineers at Gembah provide usability, functionality, and quality control to make them function well in mass production. While Gembah does solid end-to-end development, Cad Crowd allows more open access to freelance IoT professionals who can handle specific stages of design and manufacturing and therefore provide firms with more flexibility and efficiency during the process of smart product development and refinement.
Geniusee’s services range from designing and developing connected solutions to industries such as healthcare, logistics, smart home technologies, and more. It allows for seamless communication between devices, from embedded system design down to the development of firmware and its integration into the cloud. The company deals in scalable IoT ecosystems that can collect real-time data for further processing. Geniusee supports customers all the way from concept design up to product deployment. While it extends extensive technical support, Cad Crowd adds flexibility by directly hooking the customer up with freelance IoT designers and engineers who can create bespoke hardware, prototypes, and full product systems for particular needs in the market.
Honeywell builds IoT-enabled solutions to further automate buildings, enhance productivity in industry, and make operations safer. This is done through the development of a line of connected sensors, control systems, and software platforms supporting real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance. Combining advanced data analytics with hardware innovation, Honeywell designs and commercializes solutions that drive better energy use, productivity, and security across industries. Its strength lies in merging decades of manufacturing expertise with modern connectivity. However, companies seeking flexible IoT design and prototype development for smaller-scale or custom projects would find Cad Crowd’s network of experienced freelance engineers and designers more accessible for tailored and cost-effective product creation and support in manufacturing.
Indeema covers the development of IoT projects in all stages, from concept to deployment, with a focus on the enablement of solid connectivity, sensor accuracy, and ease-of-use performance in relation to IoT development services. The team is experienced in embedded engineering, hardware design, and cloud-based integration, developing solutions for industries ranging from energy and logistics to healthcare. Indeema is a name that stands for practical design and reliable data communication. Cad Crowd adds a degree of versatility to businesses in gaining access to specialized freelance talent in hardware design, prototype creation, and scalable IoT manufacturing, tailored to specific project needs.
Iomico covers the whole cycle of IoT product development, from concept to production and certification. Connected hardware development, embedded software development, and cloud integration represent the focuses for industrial, medical, and consumer electronics design services. Product design, prototyping, and testing fall within the scope of work of its engineers in developing top-connected devices. Iomico has already played an important role in enabling various enterprises to develop IoT systems with capabilities for gathering and processing data in real time with high efficiency. Consistency and reliability at each stage are a result of logical structure in development. While Iomico does exceptional work in solid in-house expertise, Cad Crowd opens its platform for clients to work with freelance IoT experts who offer flexible and cost-efficient solutions across different stages of product design and manufacturing.
ITRex Group designs products for the IoT and develops associated software with the aim of creating interrelated, data-driven systems. This company supplies embedded software, sensor networks, and cloud-based platforms that power smart devices and industrial solutions. It covers everything from prototyping to large-scale deployments for such customers who are going to embed IoT technologies into their existing infrastructure with a view to further efficiency and automation. Where ITRex is a good fit for enterprise IoT initiatives, organizations needing more flexibility in their approach to IoT design can tap Cad Crowd’s freelance network for flexible collaboration in hardware development and manufacturing.
Johnson Controls designs and manufactures IoT-based building management and energy efficiency systems, extending further into industrial automation. The company designs connected products for intelligent performance: smart HVAC systems, sensors, and control platforms that provide real-time monitoring. At Johnson Controls, IoT technologies come grouped together for comfort and sustainability, at the same time reducing operational costs. Large-scale manufacturing competencies join software engineering. While this company does enterprise automation, smaller businesses and innovators seeking custom IoT product design or prototype development may find more flexibility with Cad Crowd’s community of freelance engineers in custom, connected solutions across a number of industries.
IoT software and hardware development services from Maxiom Technology help corporations develop connected products and smart systems by embedding engineering, mobile integration, and cloud connectivity. Maxiom helps clients at each touchpoint in the IoT development process, whether it be the need to validate an idea or deliver a final product. Its engineers focus on crafting secure, scalable, user-friendly devices that will function seamlessly inside a connected environment. While Maxiom provides full-cycle in-house development, Cad Crowd gives clients more flexibility over their projects when they require exclusive IoT designers and manufacturers from their network who can deal with everything from custom product design to efficient transitions from prototype to production.
Memfault is an IoT device reliability and lifecycle management company. It offers a platform to manufacturers for remote monitoring, diagnosis, and improvement of connected products. Core activities undertaken by the Memfault team are optimization of firmware, data analytics, and tracking of device health in pursuit of better performance at reduced maintenance costs. Its solutions find application in companies manufacturing large volumes of IoT devices that need scalable support. While Memfault focuses on operational performance, Cad Crowd offers a wide range of services in IoT design and manufacturing and bridges clients with experienced freelancers in conceptual design, hardware prototyping, and full-scale IoT product development.
Motive designs and manufactures IoT-fueled fleet management and industrial monitoring systems with a view to improving safety, productivity, and efficiency. It deals in real-time data analysis, connected hardware, and software that would heighten asset tracking and operational visibility. Motive combines sensors with cloud analytics and AI-driven insights to support IoT solutions for business optimization of logistics and maintenance. It is focused on the development of data-driven hardware that can enable large-scale automation. While Motive is strong from an enterprise technology perspective, Cad Crowd offers more flexibility for companies looking to design new IoT devices or develop customized prototypes through their extensive network of freelance product designers and manufacturing pros.
PTC has developed an IoT solution for bridging gaps in product design, digital twin, and manufacturing optimization. ThingWorx is the platform for connectivity of devices, gathering information, and making smart decisions in manufacturing. It partners on connected product design and management for better performance and customer experience. It integrates a wide array of services that range from industrial automation to product lifecycle management, including augmented reality incorporation. PTC will be ideal for large-scale enterprises in search of digital transformation through IoT. On the other hand, if it is for a small organization or a startup in developing particular IoT hardware and prototypes, the freelance network at Cad Crowd is more approachable. This will offer personalized design and development talent across a wide variety of budgets and project scopes.
Samsara builds IoT-based solutions, connecting the physical operation digitally. This technology includes connected sensors, cameras, and even cloud platforms to build data on better fleet management, efficient energy consumption, and safer workplaces. The main verticals for Samsara IoT solutions include logistics, construction, and manufacturing. A big focus in hardware and software engineering is on scalability, reliability, and user experience. While Samsara performs exceptionally well in large-scale implementations of IoT, Cad Crowd grants flexibility to clients whose needs are limited to custom connected product design or prototype development through freelance engineers and designers with a focus on hardware innovation and efficient production.
Sierra Wireless has designed in-building routers, embedded modules, and connectivity platforms for real-time communications to connect devices and systems of industries like transportation, energy, and manufacturing. IoT services range from product design and integration up to cloud connectivity for the creation of smart device ecosystems. Sierra Wireless is the leading organization in terms of reliability and scalability, focusing on enterprise-grade solutions whereby businesses can scale their solutions anywhere across the globe with ease. While Sierra has many strong technical infrastructures, if your company is looking to create a custom IoT product design or hire prototype design engineering services, you have a unique opportunity to tap into the great pool of freelance engineers here at Cad Crowd. These freelance engineers work in custom design and manufacturing related to project- and customer-specific needs within a wide range of projects and industries.
SimpliSafe is an American company that designs and manufactures IoT-enabled home security products through intelligent design, manufacturing everything from connected sensors, cameras, and monitoring devices on mobile and cloud systems. This IoT in-home safety system by SimpliSafe allows users to take control of the safety of their homes remotely with robust data protection. SimpliSafe is all about ease of installation, reliable connectivity, and affordability. Companies looking to create other varieties of connected products can have a look at Cad Crowd’s platform, where clients can work with a vast pool of highly experienced freelance designers and engineers with wide-ranging experience in IoT product innovation and effective preparation for manufacturing.
SoluLab provides IoT design and development services that let enterprises create connected devices and intelligent systems. The company offers end-to-end solutions, starting from embedded software development up to sensor integration and mobile connectivity. SoluLab helps customers prototype, test, and scale IoT products to further automation and real-time data gathering. Its team focuses on security, performance, and user experience in very diverse industries, from health care to logistics and manufacturing. While SoluLab provides detailed engineering expertise, Cad Crowd allows more flexibility for clients who would like to cooperate project-wise with freelance IoT professionals able to handle particular stages of design or manufacturing in a cost-efficient, accurate, and flexible way.
Spectrum designs IoT-based connectivity solutions for consumer and commercial applications, including smart networking systems able to address devices in homes and offices, down to industrial areas. Its IoT technologies focus on a series of related areas: reliable data transmission, automation, and energy management. Spectrum offers integrated services with more control and monitoring by using hardware and software that connect. While the company focuses on large-scale network solutions, if an organization wants their designed or prototyped IoT product manufactured, then they can engage Cad Crowd’s community of freelance experts in creating and refining hardware for unique use cases, which allows for greater flexibility and permits more personalized project collaboration.
Superpedestrian is a micromobility company focused on IoT-enabled products, including electric scooters with intelligent systems that keep constant watch over safety and performance. This allows for real-time diagnostics, location tracking, and predictive maintenance in hardware and software development for electronic device design firms. Its IoT innovations guarantee the highest possible vehicle reliability while making urban transportation considerably more efficient. Here, teams design for product durability, sensor precision, and connectivity. Specializing in mobility hardware, via Cad Crowd’s platform, organizations seeking to design all types of connected products commission freelance IoT designers and engineers who can deliver bespoke prototypes and manufacturing-ready solutions for specific needs with regard to performance, scale, and budget.
Synergy Codes provides a wide range of services in IoT visualization and system design that help companies understand, manage, and optimize complex interconnected networks. It designs software tools for real-time monitoring, mapping, and controlling of IoT devices. The engineers develop user-friendly UIs and digital twins atop complementary hardware systems. Support is provided at Synergy Codes for applications ranging from industrial automation and energy management to logistics. While generally operating on the software side of IoT development, clients whose needs extend to the tangible creation of connected product design and manufacturing will appreciate the valuable resources Cad Crowd can draw upon within its pool of freelancers to create physical, tangible devices to meet exacting functional requirements.
Telit designs, manufactures, and markets IoT modules, platforms of connectivity, and integrated solutions for industries of any sector in the world. The offering of Telit in IoT includes hardware design, cellular integration, and cloud management, which provide smart devices with machine-to-machine communication capability. Telit supports developers of products at every stage, from concept through deployment, enabling seamless, efficient delivery of connectivity and data exchange. Its expertise spans industrial automation, energy, and logistics. While Telit provides solid technological infrastructure, for companies in need of custom IoT hardware design, prototyping, or specialized manufacturing, Cad Crowd freelance engineers and designers provide flexible, project-driven collaboration dedicated to the creation and refinement of innovative, connected products.
Vention offers manufacturing systems automation with the use of IoT. It helps its customers in designing, assembling, and managing factory equipment at a digital level. The platform ensures that the hardware and software work together for real-time monitoring and controlling of production lines. Offering IoT solutions for smart factories by connecting different machinery together, along with data analytics for increased efficiency, Vention engineers also work toward modularity and scalability. Much as the technology of Vention may be ideal in an industrial setting, companies seek custom IoT hardware design and prototype development from Cad Crowd’s network of freelancers on demand. It builds connected products and manufacturing systems that are particularly focused on meeting specific project goals and budgets.
Verizon offers IoT connectivity, design, and deployment services that are helpful for developers in order to build and manage smart devices at scale. It also offers IoT platforms for asset tracking, fleets, and industrial monitoring. The company’s engineers build secure networks, integrate devices, and perform analytics in the cloud, thus allowing seamless and efficient communication among all the connected products. Such solutions find their applicability in manufacturing, logistics, and a range of city applications. While Verizon does have a strong network, those businesses that need the creation of custom IoT products or prototype design services may make use of Cad Crowd’s access to competent designers and engineers who provide practical, ready-to-manufacture connected devices based on specific project needs.
Vivint designs and manufactures the IoT-powered smart home system that combines security, lighting, and energy management. The company has developed several connected devices and control hubs that allow users to automate their homes and keep an eye on them from the cloud or mobile applications. Vivint develops a host of intuitively designed products that create an always-connected, real-time experience to provide convenience and peace of mind. Vivint engineers bring hardware innovation, coupling it with continuous software integration. Although Vivint specializes in residential IoT systems, any businesses or startups involved in other kinds of connected products can find freelance experts at Cad Crowd who can design and prototype custom IoT devices for manufacturing and market readiness.
Wiliot offers an advanced platform that connects physical products to the digital environment through innovative IoT technology. It enables manufacturers and designers to gather real-time insights using smart tags and cloud-based data management tools. Freelancers working within Wiliot’s system can help companies design, integrate, and monitor connected devices that improve manufacturing efficiency and product tracking. The platform supports IoT development from prototype to large-scale deployment. While Wiliot is valuable for connecting objects and data, Cad Crowd remains a stronger choice for finding IoT freelancers who deliver complete design, engineering, and manufacturing solutions for diverse product development projects.
X_LOGIC is a platform that helps businesses develop automation and IoT-based control systems for manufacturing and industrial design experts. It connects users with professionals experienced in programming and configuring industrial devices to create efficient, data-driven processes. Freelancers skilled in X_LOGIC technologies can assist with designing smart systems that improve product performance and production accuracy. The platform emphasizes modularity and flexibility for different industrial settings. While X_LOGIC is a useful resource for technical IoT development, Cad Crowd provides access to a more diverse pool of IoT designers and engineers who handle both hardware and software aspects of product design and manufacturing.
IoT isn’t a fad but a blueprint of how we are going to be living, working, and interacting with technology for the foreseeable future. From smart thermostats to connected wearables, these companies lead the charge toward a seamlessly connected world. But if you are an innovator ready to join that movement, you don’t have to do all the building yourself. Meet expert IoT designers and product engineers at Cad Crowd who know how to combine creativity with functionality. Browse Cad Crowd today and hire the right freelance IoT experts to turn your next big idea into the next big thing. Request a quote today.
MacKenzie Brown is the founder and CEO of Cad Crowd. With over 18 years of experience in launching and scaling platforms specializing in CAD services, product design, manufacturing, hardware, and software development, MacKenzie is a recognized authority in the engineering industry. Under his leadership, Cad Crowd serves esteemed clients like NASA, JPL, the U.S. Navy, and Fortune 500 companies, empowering innovators with access to high-quality design and engineering talent.
The works of Plato state that when humans have an experience, some level of change occurs in their brain, which is powered by memory — specifically long-term memory.
This change is what Andre Fenton, professor of neural science at New York University, and Abhishek Kumar, assistant professor of cell and regenerative biology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, are studying at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) in Woods Hole, Massachusetts.
“My life’s work is to understand how minds operate, and especially to understand memory — not merely as a trace of the past in the brain but as an estimate of the future that the brain is afforded,” Fenton said.
The researchers have upleveled their project by harnessing NVIDIA RTX GPUs and HP Z Workstations to visualize massive datasets and by integrating custom AI tools and syGlass, a virtual-reality (VR) platform for scientific exploration.
This project is additionally supported by grants from the National Institute of Mental Health and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.
A Neural Forest Uncovered
Memory is the job of the brain’s hippocampus. This C-shaped structure, resembling a seahorse, is the main focus of the MBL research group.
Fenton describes the cells within the hippocampus as a forest, where billions of neurons look like tiny tree trunks and the lines coming off the trunks look like leaves.
Projection image of neuronal cell nuclei (left) and dendrites (right) or branched extensions of a nerve cell. Images were acquired by Matthew Parent and Daryl Watkins.
The team is studying a small portion of these “leaves” — representing protein markers: an incredibly tedious task due to their length, at about a micrometer each. A researcher must search through the forest of brain cells to find the correct protein markers, which make up only about 1% of all protein markers in the hippocampus.
The researchers were looking to ease the process of studying these proteins and what their varying structures may reveal about memory encoding.
Collecting and analyzing enough 3D volumetric data on protein markers was a bottleneck within the project until NVIDIA and HP technologies were introduced into the workflow.
“This is a massive computational challenge, and the HP and NVIDIA technologies have enabled us to do the first step: capture, check and store the 3D image data,” Fenton said.
Using these technologies, the MBL researchers captured 10 terabytes of volumetric data and then performed human visual-quality inspections.
Understanding Memory Could Prevent Neurological Diseases
The team’s ultimate goal of discovering the function of memory at a molecular level can boost research into the root causes of brain diseases tied to neurocognition, such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.
“People don’t normally think of memory as part of their mental health, but almost all mental dysfunction depends on what your brain stores — the beliefs, the anticipations, the anxieties that you have and the things that you expect,” said Fenton. “These are all different aspects of what happens when you have a memory, so almost all neuropsychiatric illnesses and manipulation depend on this understanding.”
As a step toward solving these large-scale problems, the researchers are looking at how memory is affected when proteins go to incorrect locations in the hippocampus.
The team is also examining the correlation between the structure and function of brain cells through high-resolution 3D images curated and stored using syGlass on the HP Z high performance workstation powered and supported with multiple NVIDIA RTX GPUs.
“If we can understand how something is built, then if there’s a problem, we can dissect that and get to the bottom of it,” said Kumar. “That’s what we’re trying to do: understand how we retain memory, so if a problem arises, we know how to fix it.”
Enabling Virtual Reality and Student Exploration
The use of syGlass on the HP Z6 desktop workstation, running on NVIDIA RTX GPUs, turned the researchers’ endeavor from a time-consuming operation into an interactive scientific exploration — ideal for high-school-student engagement.
“The HP-NVDIA-syGlass system lets us innovate by engaging three high-school interns,” said Kumar. “They had an abstract interest in our science, and we recognized that the syGlass virtual experience might enthrall them. We were right.”
The researchers brought these three curious students into their lab this summer to analyze the memory proteins using the VR headsets, which allowed for 3D visuals of the data.
Their task was to find the specific proteins that were memory-related and label them as such. While this may sound like a simple task, the interns had to sift through a sea of billions of neurons to find only a few thousand protein markers that were relevant to the research.
High school intern using the syGlass VR headset to identify protein markers. Image taken by Andre Fenton.
Due to the success of this pilot program, the team is now looking to expand high-school research opportunities for the project.
“Why leave it at three students?” said Fenton. “Next year, it could be 10 at multiple locations helping us learn about brains while they learn about brains.”
