Apple, GE to bring 'Predix' industrial IoT apps to iPhones, iPads

Apple and GE on Wednesday joined hands to deliver industrial Internet of Things (IoT) apps designed to bring predictive data and analytics on iPhones and iPads.

The two companies unveiled a new Predix (GE's industrial IoT platform) software development kit (SDK) for iOS, which gives developers the tools to make their own powerful industrial IoT apps.

The new Predix SDK for iOS will be available to download from October 26.

"GE is an ideal partner with a rich history of innovation across the industrial world in areas like aviation, manufacturing, healthcare and energy," said Tim Cook, Apple's CEO, in a statement.

"Together, Apple and GE are fundamentally changing how the industrial world works by combining GE's Predix platform with the power and simplicity of iPhone and iPad," Cook added.

The SDK gives developers the ability to make powerful, native apps that take full advantage of the industrial analytics from Predix and tap into the iOS platform.

The apps will give industrial operators more insight and visibility into the performance of their equipment and operations right from their iPhone or iPad.

For example, a Predix app can notify a worker on their iPhone of a potential issue with equipment such as a wind turbine and allow them to collaborate with remote teams when performing inspections and repairs, collecting relevant data instantly.

In collaboration with Apple, GE is also developing apps for both internal use and its customers, giving workers powerful tools to enhance their jobs and help operations run more efficiently.

"The partnership between Apple and GE is providing developers with the tools to make their own powerful industrial IoT apps," said John Flannery, Chairman and CEO, GE.

GE will standardise on iPhone and iPad for mobile devices and also promote Mac as a choice for its global workforce of more than 330,000 employees.

Apple will promote GE's Predix as the industrial IoT analytics platform of choice to its customers and developers.

--IANS

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