Fing is an network-scanning solution that allows users to discover and view IP-connected devices … and smart things connected to IP-connected devices. Acquired by Domotz in 2016, Fing now has a cloud-based service that analyzes data across households (85% of users are consumers), allowing the system to become smarter at discovering IP devices through the collective.
When consumers manually label their connected devices, everyone in the network of networks benefits. Domotz learns the IP signatures of these devices and can apply them elsewhere.
New! NuVo Support
Domotz Pro users can now enjoy enhanced features for remotely monitoring and managing the Player Portfolio music streams from NuVo Technologies.
The Nuvo features include:
- Automatic device discovery
- One-tap remote reboot
- Integrators can launch a support session with the device manufacturer for streamlined troubleshooting
- Firmware version is automatically displayed on the Domotz app. If the firmware is out of date, an upgrade can be performed remotely using the Domotz Pro remote connect feature.
In other words, Domotz is “crowd-sourcing” device recognition. Over 18 million users have downloaded the Fing app, and the number of cloud registrants is escalating. The growing “Fingpedia” database of instantly-recognizable devices now numbers over 9 billion, according to the company.
Company principal Domenico Crapanzano explains that user privacy is strictly maintained. In fact, users no longer must supply email addresses or other personally identifiable information to register Fing.
“It’s not even close to having personal information,” Crapanzano says. “The networks are assigned random numbers. We just get brands, make and model, nothing about the consumers. It’s all digital. It’s all 0s and 1s.”
Customers benefit, he says, because “they’re helping themselves understand what’s on their network.”
Now Fing has about 933,000 users worldwide, which makes for a nice research lab for product penetration and usage. The first round of number-crunching has commenced, and Domotz has released some early results.
The research can go much deeper with cross-tabulations, Crapanzano explains, but today he marvels at the sheer volume of useful data that can be collected through a popular app.
“Forget those surveys based on a few thousand responses,” Domotz explains. “This is real insight.”
Fing users may be skewed to technology enthusiasts that would download the app in the first place, but the potential for this type of data is clear.
Already, service providers have requested specialized research based on the data, and Best Buy’s Magnolia stores have committed to using the platform for remote monitoring and tech support.
The “Mag Care” app and service were launched last year, but Crapanzano says the service will be expanded this summer.
Fing IP Discovery Survey Results
n=933,000 Fing-connected households
Most popular connected streaming media devices by country: Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku
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