If you've been thinking about trying groov, now's a good time.

In this short video, Opto 22's Ben Orchard walks you through getting the free trials of both groov Server for Windows and the KEPServerEX tag server, installing them, and building and testing your own groov mobile interface.

We're delighted to announce the second-generation groov Box, GROOV-AR1. With solid-state fanless operation, a tiny footprint, and operating temperature of 0 to 70 °C (32 to 158° F), the new groov Box hosts the same easy-to-use groov software.

With groov you can build mobile operator interfaces for just about any automation system and securely use them on virtually any smartphone or tablet.

It's the mobile app you build yourself, without programming or coding.

Are you as fascinated as we are by the variety of "smart" devices now becoming available—and affordable?

One of these is Belkin's WeMo switch. Plug the switch into an electrical outlet, plug in a light or appliance, and you can remotely turn it on or off with your smartphone.

Our own OptoMary couldn't resist writing a little PAC Control code for the WeMo so she could add it to her groov mobile operator interface. She explains how she did it and includes her sample WeMo flowchart in this Control "smart" devices - WeMo Example OptoForum post.

You've heard us talk about how you can control your system on your mobile with groov.

• "Your system" means any industrial automation, building automation, or other system that talks OPC UA. (Check out the list of compatible systems.)
• "Your mobile" means any smartphone or tablet with a modern web browser. (See compatible devices.)

Why this flexibility? Because groov is based on the automation standard for interoperability (OPC UA), and on Internet standards for web browsers (like SVG and HTML5).

If you have a groov Box, we recommend you install the latest groov Admin update, version R1.570.35

This update is in response to the June 5 OpenSSL security advisory. To make sure you're as safe as possible using groov, we've immediately applied the necessary fixes.

The new update guards against a man-in-the-middle attack, where a remote attacker with a man-in-the-middle vantage point on the network might be able to decrypt or modify traffic between the computer you use to administer the groov Box and the groov Box itself.

Opto 22 engineer Ben Orchard is just like a lot of us—he can't resist tinkering with controls whether he's at work or at home.

So of course he's automated his home: sprinklers (key item in a hot area like Temecula that gets little rainfall), Philips hue lights (atmosphere!), and WeMo electrical outlet switches (safety, convenience).

Ben's got them all set up so he and his family can monitor and control all these from the computer in the kitchen or from smartphones and tablets anywhere. And everything's managed in the same operator interface, which works on any brand PC or mobile device because it runs in a modern web browser like Firefox or Chrome or IE10.

All this talk about the Internet of Things... but what does it really mean to you and me?

At the Internet of Things North America conference this week in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Opto 22's Ben Orchard presented some new ideas on how we can approach these "smart" sensors and devices and equipment so they make sense for us.

Ben starts in his own geeky house, where his Philips hue lights, WeMo switches, and Twitter account (among other things) make up his own personal Internet of Things.

To build a mobile user interface in groov, you drag and drop pre-built gadgets—like gauges, switches, and indicators—onto the screen. Then you tag each one with an input, an output, a variable, or another tag from your tag server.

If you're building a groov interface for an Opto 22 SNAP PAC System, your tag server is the tag database in PAC Control.

More than 180,000 visitors from over 100 nations came to Hannover Messe 2014 to explore the future of industry at the world's leading industrial tradeshow—and to see groov, Opto 22's tool for easily building and viewing your automation system on your mobile device.

With the theme of Integrated Industry – Next Steps, this year's trade fair focused on methods and products for intelligent, self-organizing factories—often called Industry 4.0.

If you see someone using an Apple iPad or a Samsung Galaxy at an industrial site, what's your reaction?

Whether you think it's "Russian roulette" or the "new normal," you'll want to read our new white paper. It takes a good look at the pros and cons of using commercial, off-the-shelf smartphones and tablets to monitor and control automation systems and equipment.