While participating in two recent events, Hanne Melin of eBay Inc. Public Policy Lab discussed the importance of consumer empowerment and the Internet of Things. Although some believe the Internet of Things is still just a concept, it is already here and estimated by Gartner to encompass 30 billion connected devices by 2020. These “connected devices” are made up of a physical object plus embedded processing, actuators and sensors plus connectivity and the Internet. Processing is not only getting more powerful, but cheaper; computing can be affected remotely; and data communication is becoming pervasive. These are the components and some of the developments transforming physical objects into conduits to services.

For example, the Lechal shoe is a hands-free navigation system directing you to your destination, while the Ambient Devices umbrella checks the local weather and alerts you to rain. Interfaces – or touch points – weave together product with service systems. Ensuring consumer empowerment in this "Everything-as-a-Service" world is crucial as healthy markets and sustainable growth require active consumers making informed choices.

On 26 November, Nexa Center for Internet & Society organized a lunch seminar on the topic "What is 'ownership' in an Internet of Things world?". As the key speaker, Melin challenged the audience on whether a "new normal" is unfolding where property rights are replaced by control over code as products become service avatars. We already see examples of products transformed remotely through changes to the associated service (i.e.the code), whether that is deleting content or adding functionalities. This same remote control is also used to dictate what the consumer can and cannot do with the product.

On 9 December, at a seminar by the Dutch and Swedish governments on the future of cross-border e-commerce, Melin encouraged the audience to reflect on how the Internet of Things will change what we trade, the actors participating in commerce, and the power dynamic between them.

For more details, you can read Melin's presentation or a Roadmap for Emerging Internet of Things.