Can you even imagine any reason your motor oil would need to be a connected product? To stretch your thinking a bit more, how about pharmaceuticals? These are some of the cutting edge examples of how connectivity in packaging and everyday products is making a difference both to the consumer and the cost and production inherent in bringing those products to market. In this episode of Mr. Beacon, Steve talks with Marcin Pilarz, CEO of Talkin’ Things, a company that integrates connected technologies with everyday products. In this conversation you will hear why this particular application of NFC technology is beneficial, the particular hurdles encountered when implementing it - especially with well-established brands, and how the industry is poised to grow in the next few years. Outline of This Episode [0:17] Why Steve decided to feature a company that centers its business around objects [1:16] How Talkin' Things connects products; the types of products and the tech [6:26] Connected Products: a new but quickly growing market [9:26] Examples of the early projects the company has done: anti-counterfeiting [11:40] The drive for anti-counterfeiting from both sides: brand VS consumer [15:11] Motivating new consumer behavior - solving the problem of old consumer habits [18:20] The challenge of integrating tech with creativity and product appeal [21:08] Lessons learned about embedding NFC into containers, packaging, etc. [26:04] Adapting well established brands’ existing packaging processes [29:56] The types of data brands are looking for through connected products [35:10] How the Talkin' Things team vets clients effectively [38:07] A variety of ways to save because of the implementation of smart packaging For more interviews and articles from the author of Beacon Technologies see Facebook: Twitter: LinkedIn: Listen to the audio version at Sponsered by Wiliot - Scaling IoT with Battery-Free Bluetooth Connect with Marcin Pilarz and the Talkin' Things Team