This week’s Smart World Series features upcoming Internet of Things (IoT) events for this month of August, the first Windows 10 smart home hub, where to purchase accessories for the Apple Watch, how developers and device makers can secure IoT gadgets, the latest from General Electric Co.’s new Cloud service for the Industrial Internet, a new marketplace dubbed the IMDb of IoT and more.

For those who missed last 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 the top news trends regarding smart homes and cars, smart data centers and IT, smart infrastructure, and all things related to IoT.

Smart World events we’re watching in August 2015

If you’re following IoT events, then the month of August will be a busy one for you. We have gathered information about some of the hottest IoT events this month, looking at the noteworthy keynote speakers and expected product launches from top brands, including details about the IoT Evolution Expo that kicks off next week.

Read more about the upcoming IoT events this August here.

New smart home hub for Windows 10 arrives

CastleOS Software, LLC announced that its CastleHUB will be one of the first smart home hubs to support Windows 10, and will add voice-control assistant Cortana and far-field control with Microsoft’s motion-detecting Kinect.

Also featured in this roundup is the change in leadership at Quirky, Inc., as well as August Home, Inc.’s addition of Apple Watch support to its iOS app.

Read more about these news on our Smart Living roundup.

GE’s Industrial Internet heads to the Cloud

General Electric officially announced Predix Cloud, the company’s Cloud-based machine data analytics software. The Predix Cloud is designed specifically to handle industrial data between various industries, such as aviation, healthcare, transportation and oil/gas utilities. Despite the ease it would offer industries in handling their data, there is concern that it will be a very appealing target for hackers.

Read more about GE’s Predix Cloud here.

Tips for gadget makers to secure the Internet of Things

Hackers breaching smart devices, such as connected cars, cameras and home automation devices, is quite a concerning development in today’s tech-driven world. And even if consumers do their best to secure a device, manufacturers must take the first step to ensure the best security possible. If you’re a developer or gadget maker for IoT and want to protect your device from attacks, we’ve rounded up top tips from security experts who have shared their experienced perspective on how to keep connected devices secured.

Read more about these security tips here.

Where to buy Apple Watch accessories

Still looking for ways to spice up your Apple Watch but not sure where to buy affordable accessories aside from what Apple offers? Look no further, as we dug up the best stands, chargers and other Apple Watch add-ons.

Read more about where to buy bands, stands and protectors here.

We’d rather connect ourselves than our devices

A survey from Element14 Pte. Ltd. revealed some interesting facts regarding people’s thoughts on IoT. Most believe that healthcare should be connected to the Internet, and some respondents would like their bodies to be directly connected to the Internet.

Also featured in this roundup is ShotTracker, named as the National Association of Basketball Coaches’ “Official Wearable Technology,” as well as the Carrot Rewards app, which rewards people for getting fit and healthy.

Read more about these news in our Smart Health roundup.

IoT pushes growth in smart parking and retail

ReportsnReports.com released a report that reveals the significant growth in the smart parking market and its continuous growth until 2019 at a Compound Annual Growth rate of 31 percent. The hope is that growth in this sector can resolve many of the traffic congestion issues in cities across the world.

Also featured in this roundup is a report from MarketsandMarkets that tackles the growth of the IoT market at a CAGR of 20 percent, as well as a partnership between the  Wi-SUN Alliance and the India Smart Grid Forum (ISGF) to accelerate smart grid tech in India.

Read more about these reports in our Smart City roundup.

Meet the IMDb for the Internet of Things

Tech bloggers and entrepreneurs Anil Dash and Gina Trapani launched a service dubbed the IMDb for Internet stuff, called Makerbase. The service aims to give credit where it is due, connecting consumers with the plethora of connected devices hitting the marketplace today.

Also featured in this roundup is Frontline Test Equipment, Inc.’s Bluetooth low-energy Innovator suite and CSR plc’s new Bluetooth platform that will accelerate development of IoT device and decrease time it takes to get to market.

Read more about these news in our Smart DevOps roundup.

5 unexpected smart home items that double as stereos

Technology has come a long way, and thanks to advancements in IoT we now have everyday devices that multitask better than ever. Speakers seem a popular add-on to many connected devices for the home, and we take a look at some of the most unexpected hidden speakers available on the market. Fancy a shower head that doubles as a speaker? What about light bulbs that also have built-in speakers?

Read more about these exciting products here.

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

Photo via Morguefile