Samsung: Industry must pull together to make Internet of Things happen

President and CEO Yoon appeals for greater openness and data sharing

Samsung president and CEO BK Yoon used the company's opening keynote speech at this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) to urge the tech industry to collaborate more in order to "unlock the infinite possibilities of the Internet of Things".

"The Internet of Things has the potential to transform our society, economy and how we live our lives," said Yoon. "It is our job to pull together - as an industry, and across different sectors - to make true on the promise of the Internet of Things."

Yoon was supported by the founder and CEO of smart meter firm SmartThings, Alex Hawkinson, who said open standards that allow products from different vendors to communicate with each other are essential to making the IoT a "science fact".

"For the Internet of Things to be a success, it has to be open," said Hawkinson. "Any device, from any platform, must be able to connect and communicate with one another. We've worked hard to accomplish this, and are committed to putting users first, giving them the most choice and freedom possible. The SmartThings ecosystem is now compatible with more devices than any other platform."

Yoon said vendors should work together for their mutual benefit. "I know in my heart that neither one single company nor one industry alone can deliver the benefits of the Internet of Things. To create this IoT universe, we have to see the potential of the Internet of Things across all kinds of industries. Only if we work together can we improve people's lives."

Yoon's comments come as Samsung continues to struggle in the consumer technology arena, with its mobile business in particular seeing sales and profits tumble.

With a 15.4 per cent year-on-year drop in its smartphone shipments against market share gains by Apple, LG and even Microsoft, its not entirely surprising that Samsung is keen to level the playing field in the emerging IoT and wearables markets.

Meanwhile, the South Korean firm is sticking by its Tizen operating system, which was launched in 2012 but has so far failed to mount any kind of challenge to iOS or Android, showing off a range of Tizen-driven televisions at CES.