Over 50 billion consumer devices and products will connect to the Internet by 2020, according to some estimates. The exponential growth of the so-called Internet of Things will create a host of product liability concerns, and potentially significant new business for lawyers, as the old law of the physical world runs up against the new law of the online world. “The next phase of huge product liability litigation will come from the Internet of Things,” plaintiffs' attorney Steven Teppler, a partner in the Abbott Law Firm in Jacksonville, Fla., told Bloomberg BNA recently.

Scientists have developed new moth-inspired, ultra-thin graphene sheets which can be used in 'smart wallpaper' that could generate electricity from waste light or heat, and power a host of applications at home. Using a technique known as nanotexturing, which involves growing graphene around a textured metallic surface, researchers from the University of Surrey in UK took inspiration from nature to create ultra-thin graphene sheets designed to more effectively capture light.   

The Federal Aviation Administration is setting up an aviation rulemaking committee – made up of industry stakeholders – that will consider easing restrictions on small commercial drones flying over groups of people "not directly involved in the operation of the aircraft," such as sporting events and urban areas. In February 2015 the FAA sought to establish a "micro" classification for drones weighing under 4.4 lbs and made of materials that give or break under pressure, meaning they wouldn't pose a threat of harm to passerby below, the Aviation Rulemaking Committee Charter [.pdf] explained. However, after reviewing comments collected during the open commenting period, the FAA …

In a case of "more is more," a small appliance company has created countertop multicooker with more than nine functions, Wi-Fi connectivity and an Android-powered operating system in a bid to connect the kitchen to the Internet of Things. The Gourmia GKM9000 multicooker kitchen machine includes a 7-inch LCD display that will play video instructions for recipes. Gourmia will debut the GKM9000 multicooker kitchen machine next month at the International Home + Housewares Show, a trade show dedicated to home goods. 

Right now, skilled adversaries are probing its defences seeking a way in. They are swift, relentless and smart. No weakness will escape their notice. But I am not without defences. I've tried to harden the most vulnerable devices to stop them being compromised and I've set up warning systems that should alert me if the attackers get inside. In the end, all that effort was for nothing because the attackers found so many ways to get at me and my home network. And, they said, even if the technology had defeated them, the weakest link of all - me - …

In 2015, Apple shipped 11.6 million Apple Watches, a new report from research firm IDC has revealed. That makes Apple the third-largest wearable maker last year, a period during which the Apple Watch was only available for nine months. The news should be of great interest to competitors and technology pundits since Apple has yet to break out official sales numbers for the device. In its quarterly financial reports, Apple groups the Apple Watch into the company’s "Other Products" category, which includes multiple devices, services, and accessories.

Coca-Cola is planning a wider rollout for a successful virtual reality headset strategy launched last year with Fanta, hoping to encourage more consumers to recycle cardboard packaging and pair it with a smartphone to create a content viewer. The beverage giant is the latest marketer to consider how to take advantage of the opportunity for more immersive experiences offered by virtual reality. The technology has been a big topic at Mobile World Congress this week and is the focus on new strategies from the New York Times, Retale and others. 

OK, enough with the Internet-connected refrigerator already. That appliance is becoming a reality, what with Samsung and its smart fridge. But it also leaves a lot to be desired as an example of the Internet of Things, the idea that network connections will spread to anything with a power cord and even to a lot of things without one. The big problem: convincing you that you might actually want one. It's no coincidence the Internet-connected fridge has been a tech industry joke for years.

Beacons might not work for every business. But for a company like Live Nation Entertainment, owner of ecom platform Ticketmaster and a bunch of major music festivals (Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, C3, Electric Daisy), beacons offer significant value-add for sponsors. Following a two-year pilot, Live Nation this year will roll out a location-powered platform, designed to help sponsors continue their relationships with customers before a festival begins and after it ends. There's no set release date for the features, which will be available to brand sponsors of Live Nation's festivals.

Select Samsung printers will now be able to tell when they are running out of ink and order their own refills from Amazon.com, the e-commerce giant said Tuesday. The new feature in Samsung’s service is made possible through Amazon’s Dash Replenishment service, which uses sensors built into devices such as printers, washing machines, and pet feeders to automatically re-order placement products.