This week’s Smart World Series features a new line of set-top boxes to make home automation more manageable, a smart ring that lets you control connected devices with the wave of a hand, the European Union (EU) Commission’s call for smart city partners, and a home automation provider’s role in delivering clean energy to China.

For those who missed this week’s Smart World Series, here’s a chance to catch up on the exciting developments in the connected world.  Each week, SiliconANGLE rounds up top news trends regarding smart homes and cars, smart data centers and IT, smart infrastructure and all things related to the Internet of Things.

New set-top boxes blur the line between entertainment + home automation

Automated home management may soon be as easy as interacting with your television, as the line between smart homes and TVs is being blurred by set-top box manufacturers.  At the Cable TV Show 2014, LG showcased its new line of set-top boxes that not only benefits consumers, but also allow cable operators to deliver solutions in response to consumers’ growing demand for entertainment and home automation.

Find out more about LG’s set-top boxes, as well as what a connected car platform has for developers in this week’s Smart Living roundup.

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Smart ring controls your environment via gestures

Ever dream of controlling your environment with just the wave of your hand?  The dream will soon be reality  when Nod, a smart ring created by Nod Labs, ships in Fall 2014.  Nod is a BLE-enabled device that connects with Internet-connected things such as the Hue, Nest and other smart home appliances, as well as tablets and smartphones. A series of gestures can control the connected devices around you, from thermostats to home stereos.  It can even be used by gamers, as it acts as a 32K DPI high-precision controller.

Learn more about Nod and other intriguing gadgets in this week’s Smart Health roundup.

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EU Commission calls for Smart City partners

Despite its economic troubles, Europe is leading in the Internet of Things (IoT) adoption, all thanks to the government backing such initiatives.  To ensure that it’s staying on top of the IoT movement, the European Commission is looking for partners in its European Innovation Partnership on Smart Cities and Communities.  Interested parties can apply online before the June 15 deadline.

Find out more about the EU Commission’s invitation in this week’s Smart City roundup.

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Honeywell is bigger than the smart home, selected for automated pipeline system

Honeywell, a company known for its smart home solutions, has been tapped once again to work on the third pipe for the Central Asia-China Gas Pipeline Project (CACGP).  Asia Trans Gas, the company, which will be constructing the 530-kilometer Pipeline C, selected Honeywell’s Experion Process Knowledge System (PKS) and Safety Manager technology to make the infrastructure smart so it can be remotely managed and monitored to maintain operations and safety.

Read more about how Honeywell’s system will help create a pipeline that delivers clean energy to China in this week’s Smart Infrastructure roundup.

Tune in next week for more interesting stories, discoveries and innovations in the world of smart and connected things.

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