On the company"s Internet of Things blog, Microsoft announced today that it will be investing $5 billion in IoT throughout the next four years. The firm said that its "goal is to give every customer the ability to transform their businesses, and the world at large, with connected solutions."
Microsoft says that it was investing in IoT since before the name was even around, and this is part of the firm"s continued investment in the intelligent edge. The company didn"t go into any specifics as to what that $5 billion will be spent on, but it will continue with software, cloud, and device offerings.
The company also boasted various partners that are already using its IoT products, such as Johnson Controls. JCI makes a smart thermostat called the GLAS that runs Windows 10 IoT Core. It"s a transparent piece of glass with a touchscreen and Cortana support. We went hands-on with it at CES and it"s pretty interesting.
Other companies involved with Microsoft"s IoT products include Steelcase, Kohler, Chevron, United Technologies, Schneider Electric, and the Alaska Department of Transportation, which is building smart roadways that can monitor the weather.