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Big Tech In Edge Computing How the big 5 tech companies are going after the $500B opportunity in edge computing. 1 WHAT IS CB INSIGHTS? CB Insights helps the world’s leading companies make smarter technology decisions with data, not opinion. Our Technology Insights Platform provides companies with comprehensive data, expert insights and work management tools to drive growth and improve operations with technology. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR A FREE TRIAL 1 CB Insights helps us compress our time-to-decision when gathering and analyzing data and getting an external view on what's happening in the market so we can quickly take action. Meraj Mohammad Vice President, Ventures Group, ADP Contents 4 Overview 5 Why now? 1 3 Amazon 2 3 Microsoft 3 1 Google 3 9 Apple 4 6 Facebook 5 3 What’s next? 3 Summary of findings Advances in wireless standards — like 5G — and the explosion of connected devices are driving interest in edge computing, the processing of data closer to its source. This emerging approach to computing has implications for cloud providers, device manufacturers, software makers, and more. Intricately involved in these technical areas, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Apple, and Facebook have invested in building edge infrastructure, developing new applications, and improving device capabilities. These companies are aiming to establish favorable positioning for emerging trends associated with edge computing and capture a piece of the $500B market opportunity. Big Tech In Edge Computing • Amazon: The e-commerce & cloud computing powerhouse seeks to maintain its dominance in cloud by extending its infrastructure to the network edge and rolling out capabilities that support edge computing use cases (such as predictive maintenance, device management, and more.) It has also invested heavily in emerging areas that should benefit from edge computing, like self-driving cars. • Microsoft: The enterprise software giant is looking to deepen its role in the telecommunications space while extending its public cloud infrastructure to the edge of the network and meeting enterprise demands for device security and management. • Google/Alphabet: Google’s wide-ranging initiatives include cloud capabilities, devices, and investments in emerging applications like augmented reality. Its data analysis and AI capabilities could set it apart from the competition as it approaches edge computing opportunities. • Apple: With its expertise in devices, Apple is operating at the very edge of the network and looking to improve the data processing that occurs there. The company’s investments in artificial intelligence allow more computing to take place on devices rather than in the cloud. • Facebook: The social media giant expects edge computing to support emerging applications like virtual and augmented reality, where the company has invested heavily. These new communication mediums will help the company keep its users active and engaged on its platforms. 4 TECH GIANTS IN EDGE COMPUTING What is edge computing? 5 Edge computing is the processing of data closer to where it is generated Cloud computing enables companies to store and process data (among other computing tasks) outside of their own physical hardware, across a network of remote servers. Fog computing refers to the network connections between edge devices and the cloud, i.e., the extension of the cloud to the edge of a network. Edge computing is computational processing done at or near the “edge” of a network, i.e., at the device level. Edge computing stands to complement cloud computing. One key difference between the two is the centralized nature of cloud computing and the decentralized or local nature of edge computing. CB Insights 6 Edge’s potential is attracting media attention • Faster (or real-time) data processing and analysis: Data is processed closer to the source, not in an external data center or cloud, which reduces lag time. • Lower costs: Enterprises spend less on data management solutions for local devices than for cloud and data center networks. • Less network traffic: With an increasing number of IoT devices, data generation continues to rise at record rates. As a result, network bandwidth becomes more limited, overwhelming the cloud and leading to a greater bottleneck of data. • Increased application efficiency: With lower latency levels, applications can operate more efficiently and at faster speeds. News mentions of “edge computing,” 2015—2020 YTD (12/16/20) CB Insights 7 TECH GIANTS IN EDGE COMPUTING Why Now? 8 A convergence of technical trends is creating a sizable market opportunity Roll out of 5G The new wireless standard supports bandwidthintensive, low-latency applications. Proliferation of edge devices In 2020, there were 50 billion IoT devices — a number only expected to grow. Emerging technologies New technologies like autonomous vehicles, virtual reality, and the internet of things (IoT) will be best serviced by an edge computing model. CB Insights, Network World $500B Edge computing market An explosion of data By the year 2025, an estimated 463 exabytes worth of data will be created per day globally — equivalent to over 200 million DVDs per day. 9 Edge could hugely impact Big Tech’s business lines Edge computing will impact numerous components of today’s computing model in which Big Tech is entrenched. • Cloud: Cloud providers offer the tools to manage devices and analyze data, but face challenges supporting new low-latency applications. • Devices: The increasingly diverse device landscape, with wearables, smartphones, smart home products, and more, requires a new computing model. • Applications: An edge computing model will best serve many emerging applications and use cases — like autonomous driving — that require high bandwidth and low latency. CB Insights 10 Big Tech has an incentive to act The last 80 years have seen shifts in computing trends from centralized mainframes to decentralized personal computers to centralized, hyperscale data centers (i.e., cloud computing). These changes have made technology companies household names: first IBM, then Microsoft, and finally Amazon. Edge computing would represent a swing back to the decentralized approach to computing, akin to the PCs of the early 2000s. With substantial revenue implications, the risk of inaction by big tech companies is significant. 1950s – 1970s: The mainframe computer is introduced, IBM dominates the market 1970s – 2000s: The personal computer (PC) is introduced, with Microsoft’s Windows becoming the dominant operating system 2000s – present: Amazon creates Amazon Web Services and provides hosted compute resources Present – ??: Companies are pursuing several approaches to data processing at the edge 11 Big Tech has the resources to invest Q3 2020 cash & short-term investment holdings by company 1.5B Active Devices 2020 Third Quarter Cash & Short Term Investments = $15B $138B $132.6B $91B $68.7B $55.8B 12 TECH GIANTS IN EDGE COMPUTING Amazon in Edge Computing 13 AMAZON’S CORE COMPETENCIES FOR EDGE COMPUTING Amazon has invested from the cloud down to devices Amazon seeks to establish a foothold in edge computing by extending the capabilities of Amazon Web Services (AWS) and investing in emerging applications like smart homes and autonomous driving. The company has also invested in devices that operate on edge, like smart speakers, tablets, and drones. CB Insights 14 AMAZON’S CORE COMPETENCIES FOR EDGE COMPUTING: CLOUD COMPUTING Amazon leverages its cloud capabilities The leader by revenue in the public cloud space, Amazon is turning to its cloud services to differentiate itself on the edge. • AWS IoT Greengrass manages connected devices and enables them to run applications offline by providing access to serverless functions and Docker containers. • SageMaker Neo helps companies create machine learning algorithms in the cloud that can run autonomously on the edge. • AWS RoboMaker allows companies to deploy robotic applications at the edge. Amazon 15 AMAZON’S CORE COMPETENCIES FOR EDGE COMPUTING: EDGE INFRASTRUCTURE Amazon is extending its cloud to the edge AWS Local Zones provides clients — typically located in densely populated areas — with data centers closer to their operations to deliver a faster, more responsive experience to end-users. Amazon has already rolled out this new infrastructure model in Los Angeles and counts Netflix and Luma Pictures among its initial customers. Wavelength supports 5G applications by using telecom providers’ infrastructure to place AWS storage and compute resources on the wireless network. The first of these telecom-AWS arrangements is in Chicago, where Bethesda Softworks and the National Football League are early adopters. Amazon, Amazon 16 AMAZON’S CORE COMPETENCIES FOR EDGE COMPUTING: EDGE INFRASTRUCTURE Telecom operators are partners in an edge future Telecom providers are upgrading their infrastructure to support the emerging wireless standard 5G. Part of this upgrade process includes the virtualization of network infrastructure, essentially the replacement of hardware used for network functions with software running in the cloud. This transition to software makes telecom providers valuable potential customers for cloud providers, as well as promising partners for the roll-out of new cloud-based applications. Amazon has partnered with several telecoms as part of its Wavelength initiative to bring cloud resources to the network’s edge. Amazon, CB Insights 17 AMAZON’S CORE COMPETENCIES FOR EDGE COMPUTING: APPLICATIONS Amazon’s edge infrastructure will support new applications Edge computing applies to numerous emerging applications that require or could benefit from increased responsiveness. Applications like gaming, autonomous driving, and factory operations, where real-time decision making is critical, would benefit from closer data processing. Amazon seeks not only to support this local data processing but also to invest in the emerging applications expected to benefit from it. Amazon 18 “AWS Wavelength provides the same AWS…that they’re using today at the edge of the 5G network. While some ultra-lowlatency use cases like smart cars, streaming games, VR, and autonomous industrial equipment are well understood today, we can’t wait to see how builders use 5G edge computing to delight their mobile end users and connected device customers” Andy Jassy, Amazon Web Services CEO 19 Source: Amazon AMAZON’S CORE COMPETENCIES FOR EDGE COMPUTING: APPLICATIONS A big bet on autonomous driving Self-driving vehicles could rely on Amazon’s cloud and edge infrastructure to support real-time decision making and ensure regular software updates. The emerging application could also benefit Amazon’s quickly growing delivery business. In June 2020, Amazon acquired autonomous vehicle developer Zoox for $1.2B. The company also purchased a minority stake in electric vehicle company Rivian in 2020 and participated in self-driving car company Aurora’s Series B in 2019. CB Insights 20 AMAZON’S CORE COMPETENCIES FOR EDGE COMPUTING: APPLICATIONS Amazon sets its sights on other emerging areas Over the past few years, Amazon has invested in several areas expected to benefit from advances in edge computing. Smart home Homes are becoming an ecosystem of connected devices, and Amazon doubled down in this area in 2018 with its $839M acquisition of home security provider Ring. Gaming In September 2020, Amazon announced its cloud gaming platform, Luna. The company also owns the popular game streaming service Twitch, which it purchased in 2014. Drones Amazon has filed patents for new drone designs and in August 2020 received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to deliver packages via drones. CB Insights 21 WHERE COULD AMAZON GO NEXT? A brick-and-mortar cloud strategy From its roots as an online marketplace, Amazon has quickly expanded its brick-and-mortar presence by building Amazon stores and acquiring the grocery chain Whole Foods. The company now operates more than 500 physical retail locations as well as 100+ distribution centers. Its partnerships with telecommunications providers further extend its physical presence across the United States and beyond. This brick-and-mortar network could serve as the infrastructure for a distributed computing model that services its own edge needs (such as drones and autonomous vehicles), as well as the needs of its clients. Walmart, Amazon’s often-cited retail rival, has reportedly explored leveraging its much larger store presence for edge computing purposes. CNET, Wall Street Journal 22 TECH GIANTS IN EDGE COMPUTING Microsoft in Edge Computing 23 MICROSOFT’S CORE COMPETENCIES FOR EDGE COMPUTING Microsoft is betting big on edge computing In 2018, Microsoft announced it would invest $5B over the next four years in IoT and Intelligent Edge. These investments largely center on extending Microsoft’s Azure cloud services and capabilities to the edge of the network. Beyond edge infrastructure and the cloud, Microsoft’s devices, virtual/augmented reality, and gaming businesses could benefit from an edge computing model. Microsoft 24 MICROSOFT’S CORE COMPETENCIES FOR EDGE COMPUTING: CLOUD COMPUTING Public cloud supports edge use cases Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform delivers services for devices (industrial assets, drones, etc.) at the edge of the network. • Azure Sphere: Secures edge devices and monitors their activity. In June 2020, Microsoft boosted these edge security capabilities with its acquisition of IoT security provider CyberX. • Digital Twins: Creates a digital model of real-world environments (e.g., devices, processes, people) to test and predict connected use-cases. • IoT Hub: Manages connected devices and their communications with the cloud. Microsoft 25 MICROSOFT’S CORE COMPETENCIES FOR EDGE COMPUTING: EDGE INFRASTRUCTURE Microsoft rolls out three edge computing models 1. Azure Edge Zones are micro data centers in cities that will support end users running low-latency and high-bandwidth applications such as gaming or media production. 2. Azure Edge Zones place Azure capabilities on the 5G infrastructure of telecom providers. This proximity to the wireless network will enable applications on mobile devices to run with low latency. 3. Azure Private Edge Zones bring Azure’s IoT and device security offerings onpremises. This managed service targets companies running private wireless networks to support applications requiring high levels of reliability and low latency, such as robotics or assisted surgery. Microsoft 26 MICROSOFT’S CORE COMPETENCIES FOR EDGE COMPUTING: EDGE INFRASTRUCTURE Telecom providers help expand Microsoft’s reach Microsoft has entered the world of telecommunications in earnest: • Acquired the cloud-native networking provider Affirmed Networks in March 2020 for $1.4B. • Acquired virtualized network softwaremaker Metaswitch Networks in May 2020. • Partners with leading telecom providers, including Telefonica and Verizon. These acquired capabilities and business relationships should help Microsoft extend its cloud capabilities to the edge. Microsoft, CB Insights 27 “But at the same time, the architecture of the cloud itself is going to be — have the cloud and the edge…That's why even what we are doing on our edge compute, what we did with Affirmed Networks, what we did with even the launch of Azure Edge Zones, all speaks to, I think, what is going to be the secular infrastructure architecture going forward.” Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft 28 Source: CB Insights MICROSOFT’S CORE COMPETENCIES FOR EDGE COMPUTING: APPLICATIONS Microsoft positions for edge computing tailwinds From investments in gaming to augmented and virtual reality over the past few years, Microsoft is expanding its foothold in areas with edge computing tailwinds. Gaming In September 2020, Microsoft released its cloud gaming platform, xCloud. Known for its gaming console, Xbox, Microsoft may have an advantage in the hotly contested market. Augmented/virtual reality Microsoft updated its chief augmented reality product, the HoloLens, in 2019. This headset targets the enterprise to support use cases like training and situational awareness. Robotics Microsoft is an investor in and partner with Sarcos Robotics, a developer of robotic systems. The company also launched a platform for creating autonomous systems in 2019. CB Insights, Microsoft, Sarcos Robotics 29 WHERE COULD MICROSOFT GO NEXT? A move into networking and telecommunications Microsoft made its interest in the networking and telecommunications space clear with its acquisitions of Affirmed Networks and Metaswitch earlier this year. The opportune moves come as a technical shift to software-defined networking makes the industry more hospitable to Microsoft, an enterprise software company. Further, amid concerns of Chinese dominance in 5G and critical telecommunications infrastructure, USbased Microsoft may receive a warm welcome in an industry dominated by just a few firms. As for its traction in the space, Microsoft cites that 200 operators have already used its ExpressRoute service to link corporate networks to Azure services. Components of the Azure for Operators Cloud platform Customers of Affirmed Networks Microsoft 30 TECH GIANTS IN EDGE COMPUTING Google in Edge Computing 31 GOOGLE’S CORE COMPETENCIES FOR EDGE COMPUTING Google’s opportunity in edge spans multiple fronts The edge computing opportunity for Google will impact the tech giant on several fronts — most notably, its cloud platform and hardware portfolio. To position itself for these changes, the company has developed relationships with telecom providers, expanded its cloud capabilities to the edge, and invested in devices like activity trackers and smart glasses. CB Insights 32 GOOGLE’S CORE COMPETENCIES FOR EDGE COMPUTING: CLOUD COMPUTING Google brings AI from the cloud to the edge Google has sought to differentiate its cloud computing capabilities with innovation in AI and data analysis. It now looks to bring these capabilities to the edge. A crucial component of this initiative is the Edge TPU, a custom computer chip designed to run algorithms at the device level. This chip allows companies to train algorithms in Google’s cloud and run them at the edge, supporting use cases from predictive maintenance to anomaly detection to robotics. Through its IoT Core offering, Google provides device management and security capabilities while connecting devices to cloud-based analytics tools (Cloud Dataflow, BigQuery, etc.). Google 33 GOOGLE’S CORE COMPETENCIES FOR EDGE COMPUTING: EDGE INFRASTRUCTURE Google partners with telecom providers Google is placing its cloud capabilities on the burgeoning 5G network through a series of partnerships with telecom providers, including AT&T and Telefonica. While the company has not announced an investment in local zones like AWS Local Zones or Azure Edge Zones, its telecom partnerships will expand its existing infrastructure of edge points of presence (PoPs) and edge nodes. These outposts can be used to deliver cached content and, in some instances, services such as Google Search. In March 2020, the company announced Anthos for Telecom, a cloud application platform for telecom providers to run at the network’s edge. CB Insights, Google 34 “Organizations with edge presences — like retailers operating brick-and-mortar stores, transportation companies managing fleets of vehicles, or manufacturers relying on IoT-enabled equipment on shop floors — have an opportunity to modernize processes and deliver new experiences with cloud capabilities at the edge.” Amol Phadke, Managing Director at Google Cloud 35 Source: Google GOOGLE’S CORE COMPETENCIES FOR EDGE COMPUTING: APPLICATIONS Google bets on low-latency applications Through acquisitions, an active venture capital arm (Google Ventures), and a moonshot program, Google has made bets in several emerging areas that could benefit from edge computing. Autonomous driving Google subsidiary Waymo took outside investment ($3.2B) for the first time in 2020 to advance its self-driving technology. Augmented / Virtual reality Early to market with its Google Glass product in 2014, the company has iterated on the product and focused on selling into the enterprise space. Gaming Google launched its cloud-based gaming platform, Stadia, in November 2019. Supporting its efforts in this area was a 2019 acquisition of game developer, Typhoon Studios. Google, CB Insights 36 GOOGLE’S CORE COMPETENCIES FOR EDGE COMPUTING: DEVICES Google takes a larger role in connected devices Google’s hardware interests include augmented and virtual reality devices (smart glasses), smartwatches (Fitbit), and smart home products (Google Home). These devices, running applications either at the device level or on the edge cloud, are integral components of the edge computing model for gathering and processing data. To strengthen its hardware chops, Google has acquired several companies in the past few years: • In 2020, Google purchased AR headwear company North, which could boost its Google Glass product that continues to search for product-market fit. • In 2019, Google acquired fitness wearable company Fitbit for $2.1B. • In 2018, Google closed its $1.1B purchase of a portion of HTC’s smartphone business. CB Insights 37 WHERE COULD GOOGLE GO NEXT? Google targets enterprise opportunities in specific industries Companies seeking to digitalize operations and leverage emerging, low-latency, or device-centric applications will drive the adoption of edge computing. Google’s footprint in the enterprise space is small in comparison to its consumer businesses. However, with its Google Cloud Platform, it has made inroads, especially related to helping companies manage and analyze data. Edge computing provides a means for gaining traction in the enterprise market – Google can help companies run AI on the edge and make sense of ubiquitous device data. With its troves of data and reliance on medical devices, the healthcare industry represents one area of promise for Google. CB Insights 38 TECH GIANTS IN HEALTHCARE Apple in Edge Computing 39 APPLE’S CORE COMPETENCIES FOR EDGE COMPUTING Apple takes a device-centric approach to the edge Taking advantage of recent innovations in battery and semiconductor technology, Apple supports more bandwidthintensive processes locally on its devices. In the case of AI, this typically involves inference, or the execution of algorithms on the device, while the more data- and power-intensive processes of algorithm training occur in the cloud. CB Insights 40 APPLE’S CORE COMPETENCIES FOR EDGE COMPUTING: DEVICES Apple sees local AI as a key differentiator Likely looking to bring more AI capabilities to its devices, Apple acquired AI chipmaker Xnor.ai for $200M in January 2020. Xnor.ai simplifies AI algorithms such as image recognition so that they require less battery and processing power, making them easier to run on devices like smartphones. The acquisition of Xnor.ai is part of Apple’s broader strategy to establish more ownership over the components within its devices. In 2019, Apple released its A13 chip with a “neural engine” to support machine learning tasks. In June 2020, it announced it would use its custom chips for MacBooks — a move away from its former supplier, Intel. CB Insights 41 APPLE’S CORE COMPETENCIES FOR EDGE COMPUTING: DEVICES Apple’s investments reflect the importance of AI More than a third of Apple’s investments since 2015 have been in AI companies. This investment strategy has allowed the company to support local AI applications like Siri, the virtual assistant running on its devices. Local AI supports more than Siri, however. The iPhone’s camera and applications like the News app or Apple Maps also benefit from AI running at the edge. In March 2019, for example, Apple purchased AI company Laserlike, which helps surface personalized news content for users based on their viewing history. Other Apple devices like AirPods, the company’s wireless headphones, could implement AI on the edge to better filter noise and improve sound quality. CB Insights 42 “We've embedded machine learning directly into the silicon with our A12 Bionic chip...it also enables processing of data and transactions directly on the device. This means iPhones can recognize patterns, make predictions, and learn from experience.” Tim Cook, Apple CEO 43 Source: CB Insights APPLE’S CORE COMPETENCIES FOR EDGE COMPUTING: APPLICATIONS Apple bets on areas dependent on low latency With more than 60 acquisitions since 2015, Apple has at times expanded beyond its device-centric nature to new areas like autonomous driving and gaming. Autonomous driving Apple purchased self-driving car startup Drive.ai in June 2019 and has poured resources into Project Titan, a team tasked with developing autonomous vehicle tech, for years. Augmented / Virtual reality In April 2020, Apple acquired virtual reality developer NextVR for $100M. Apple has also filed dozens of patents for AR and VR related technology. Gaming Apple launched its subscription gaming platform, Apple Arcade, in September 2019. The offering competes with those from cloud giants like Microsoft and Google. Apple, CB Insights 44 WHERE COULD APPLE GO NEXT? A vertical approach to an AI future Apple’s recent split with Intel’s highlights its interest in designing its devices from the silicon upward. With greater control over device inputs, Apple can make improvements in battery, memory, and processing capacity, which will enable more data processing to occur at the device level. Apple’s latest A14 chip (launched in September 2020) offers capabilities like image recognition and natural language processing with its new Neural Engine, CPU machine learning accelerators, and high-performance GPU. Apple’s more powerful iPhone, iPad, and PC devices can also serve as hubs for an expanding ecosystem of devices (e.g., smartwatches, headphones, etc.) Apple 45 TECH GIANTS IN EDGE COMPUTING Facebook in Edge Computing 46 FACEBOOK’S CORE COMPETENCIES FOR EDGE COMPUTING Facebook looks to emerging applications for user engagement Receiving most of its revenue from advertising, Facebook’s current business model relies on an ability to procure a large, engaged audience. Today, much of this audience comes to the social media platform for news, picture and video sharing, and to chat with friends. Facebook’s ability to maintain and grow this audience could depend on its use of new communication mediums and services like video and VR. CB Insights 47 FACEBOOK’S CORE COMPETENCIES FOR EDGE COMPUTING: EDGE INFRASTRUCTURE Edge infrastructure required for new applications The emerging applications (such as VR) that Facebook hopes to leverage for increased user engagement and connectivity require advancements in telecom infrastructure. While not directly involved in creating edge infrastructure, Facebook formed the Telecom Infra Project (TIP) to collaborate with other companies to develop new telecom technologies. Specifically, the TIP aims to create open, standards-based technical solutions that support a significantly larger ecosystem of devices and high-bandwidth applications in the coming years. Telecom Infra Project participants Telecom Infra Project 48 “The things that I would point to are things like AI as well as our investments in AR and VR. Those are things that will play out – AI in the near term, but the investments in AR and VR are really about building the next generation of computing, and that's got a longer-term return window.” David Wehner, Chief Financial Officer at Facebook 49 Source: CB Insights FACEBOOK’S CORE COMPETENCIES FOR EDGE COMPUTING: APPLICATIONS Video, gaming, and AR/VR attract attention Facebook has invested heavily in a host of data and compute-heavy applications such as video, AR/VR, and gaming. Since its 2014 acquisition of headset maker Oculus, Facebook has purchased 9 other AR/VR related companies. In gaming, Facebook acquired Spain-based PlayGiga for $78M in 2019. Before the acquisition, the company was working with telecom providers to leverage 5G for game streaming. Implicit in many of these applications is artificial intelligence, a technology Facebook has also targeted with M&A deals. Since 2014, Facebook has acquired 7 AI-focused companies. CB Insights 50 FACEBOOK’S CORE COMPETENCIES FOR EDGE COMPUTING: APPLICATIONS New products launched in emerging areas From its investments in gaming, AR/VR, and video, Facebook has launched new products in the hopes of increasing user engagement. Gaming Following its acquisition of PlayGiga in 2019, Facebook launched a gaming app for users to interact with the gamer community while playing livestreamed games in April 2020. Augmented / Virtual reality In 2014, Facebook acquired the virtual reality unicorn Oculus for $2B. The company has since doubled down on the nascent communications medium to create an immersive environment for games. Smart Home Facebook launched its video calling device, Portal, in November 2018 to enter the smart home market. The hardware includes AI features that enable motion tracking. SiliconAngle, Facebook 51 WHERE COULD FACEBOOK GO NEXT? Establishing a new communications paradigm The Covid-19 pandemic pushed a greater portion of activities and communication online, and accelerated a move to technologies like video and messaging — areas where Facebook has long invested. With 5G and edge computing, emerging communication mediums like augmented and virtual reality will offer new ways to interact virtually. Facebook’s bets on AR/VR and gaming highlight an interest in ushering in a future where a more significant portion of our social interactions and purchases takes place in virtual environments. CB Insights 52 TECH GIANTS IN EDGE COMPUTING What comes next? 53 WHAT COMES NEXT? An uncertain road forward for edge computing Edge computing faces two fundamental challenges to adoption: supply and demand. On the supply side, establishing an expansive network of distributed servers, especially in more rural areas, poses a challenge — a difficulty telecom providers are currently facing with the roll-out of 5G. On the demand side, the current need for edge computing’s properties — low latency, data sovereignty, battery management, etc. — does not justify the cost of investment, requiring further maturation and adoption of applications like augmented and virtual reality. 54 WHAT COMES NEXT? Steep competition from tech heavyweights and newcomers alike The FAMGA companies are not alone in their pursuit of the edge computing opportunity. Competition is fierce from other large tech companies, like IBM, Oracle, and VMware, as well as a sea of startups. From Vapor IO‘s network of edge data centers to Swim‘s edge-based machine learning software, young tech companies have rushed to develop applications for the edge and create supporting infrastructure. Vmware, CB Insights Note: This market map is not meant to be exhaustive of companies in the space. Categories are not mutually exclusive. 55 WHAT COMES NEXT? A new era of computing While in its early stages, edge computing would usher in a new way of computing. The tech is not a replacement for the cloud, but rather an approach for supporting the latest applications and devices created by advances in hardware, software, and wireless networks. In a future where all devices and systems are connected — from refrigerators to traffic lights to clothing — a decentralized computing model will allow for the prioritization of data processing and management of device communications. Edge computing will impact devices, applications, and infrastructure, while also creating some big opportunities. Leading tech giants want to be ready. TechTarget 56
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