Mister Beacon

Proximity and location technologies are key to the Internet of Things (IoT) and are causing our digital and physical worlds to converge. Mr. Beacon is a series of interviews with the leaders of companies that are at the center of this revolution. Steve...

  • 52 minutes 48 seconds
    From “Search” to “Find”: Transforming Manufacturing with Ambient IoT

    In this episode of the Mr. Beacon Podcast, Dr. Karsten Königstein of Sinfosy explains how ambient IoT is transforming manufacturing by turning smartphones into powerful tracking tools. Using Bluetooth and QR codes, his team delivers real-time, precise visibility into assets and workflows. The result is a scalable, cost-effective system that replaces “search” with “find” across modern industrial environments.


    Karsten’s Top 3 Songs





    Mister Beacon is hosted by Steve Statler, CEO of ambientChat.ai — Using AI to connect people with places and products  with an app that puts you in control of YOUR data.


    Our sponsor is Identiv https://www.identiv.com, whose IoT solutions create digital identities for physical objects, enhancing global connectivity for businesses, people, and the planet. We are also sponsored by Blecon http://www.blecon.net. Blecon enables physical products to communicate with cloud applications using Bluetooth Low Energy.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    21 April 2026, 2:00 pm
  • 51 minutes 15 seconds
    The Truth About AI Content: Why C2PA Might Save the Internet

    Dominique Guinard returns for his fifth appearance to explore C2PA, a rising standard for verifying digital content in the age of AI. As synthetic media becomes harder to detect, C2PA acts like a “nutrition label” for images, video, and text, revealing provenance and authenticity. We discuss how it works, who’s adopting it, and why it matters for misinformation, trust, and the future of digital media.


    Dom’s Top 3 Movies





    Mister Beacon is hosted by Steve Statler, CEO of ambientChat.ai — Using AI to connect people with places and products  with an app that puts you in control of YOUR data.


    Our sponsor is Identiv https://www.identiv.com, whose IoT solutions create digital identities for physical objects, enhancing global connectivity for businesses, people, and the planet. We are also sponsored by Blecon http://www.blecon.net. Blecon enables physical products to communicate with cloud applications using Bluetooth Low Energy.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    7 April 2026, 2:00 pm
  • 45 minutes 34 seconds
    The Smart Grocery Revolution: How Stretch Is Reinventing How We Shop

    Andy Ellwood, Founder & CEO of Stretch, joins the Mr. Beacon Podcast to discuss reinventing grocery shopping with AI-powered insights. By turning shopping lists into smart comparison tools, Stretch helps consumers save time and money. Andy also shares lessons from building in public, the power of shopper-first design, and his vision for AI agents that advocate for consumers in retail.


    Andy’s Top 3 Songs





    Mister Beacon is hosted by Steve Statler, CEO of ambientChat.ai — Using AI to connect people with places and products  with an app that puts you in control of YOUR data.


    Our sponsor is Identiv https://www.identiv.com, whose IoT solutions create digital identities for physical objects, enhancing global connectivity for businesses, people, and the planet. We are also sponsored by Blecon http://www.blecon.net. Blecon enables physical products to communicate with cloud applications using Bluetooth Low Energy.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    24 March 2026, 2:00 pm
  • 1 hour 8 minutes
    The Ambient IoT Tipping Point: Every Zebra Device is a Cloud Gateway

    Simon Ford, founder of Blecon, returns to the Mr. Beacon Podcast to discuss a major milestone for the company and the broader IoT industry. Blecon’s new collaboration with Zebra enables existing frontline devices to become nodes in a Bluetooth network, unlocking asset tracking and operational visibility without new infrastructure. Simon and I explore practical use cases, supply-chain insights, and why this approach could help IoT finally scale.


    Simon’s 3 Favourite Movies





    Mister Beacon is hosted by Steve Statler, CEO of ambientChat.ai — Using AI to connect people with places and products  with an app that puts you in control of YOUR data.


    Our sponsor is Identiv https://www.identiv.com, whose IoT solutions create digital identities for physical objects, enhancing global connectivity for businesses, people, and the planet. We are also sponsored by Blecon http://www.blecon.net. Blecon enables physical products to communicate with cloud applications using Bluetooth Low Energy.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    10 March 2026, 2:00 pm
  • 53 minutes 58 seconds
    Connected Packaging: Turning Every Product Into a Digital Media Channel

    In this episode of the Mr. Beacon Podcast, Jenny Stanley, Founder of Appetite Creative, explains how connected packaging is transforming products into digital engagement channels. From QR codes and Digital Product Passports to data-driven marketing and post-purchase experiences, she shares real campaign insights, best practices, and emerging trends shaping retail and CPG. Discover how brands are using packaging to build loyalty, gather first-party data, and create meaningful two-way conversations with consumers.


    Jenny’s Most Meaningful Songs:





    Mister Beacon is hosted by Steve Statler, CEO of ambientChat.ai — Using AI to connect people with places and products  with an app that puts you in control of YOUR data.


    Our sponsor is Identiv https://www.identiv.com, whose IoT solutions create digital identities for physical objects, enhancing global connectivity for businesses, people, and the planet. We are also sponsored by Blecon http://www.blecon.net. Blecon enables physical products to communicate with cloud applications using Bluetooth Low Energy.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    10 February 2026, 6:04 pm
  • 41 minutes 38 seconds
    Secure by Design: Ambient IoT, AI, and the Future of Trust

    In this episode of the Mr. Beacon Podcast, we speak with Infineon Distinguished Engineer, Steve Hanna, about security in Ambient IoT, AI, and connected systems. We explore real-world risks like counterfeit goods and privacy breaches, plus practical approaches such as cryptographic identity and low-power security. Steve also shares insights from standards work at IETF and Matter, along with career advice and personal reflections.


    Steve’s Favorite Songs:




    Mister Beacon is hosted by Steve Statler, CEO of ambientChat.ai — Using AI to connect people with places and products  with an app that puts you in control of YOUR data.


    Our sponsor is Identiv https://www.identiv.com, whose IoT solutions create digital identities for physical objects, enhancing global connectivity for businesses, people, and the planet. We are also sponsored by Blecon http://www.blecon.net. Blecon enables physical products to communicate with cloud applications using Bluetooth Low Energy.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    27 January 2026, 3:00 pm
  • 43 minutes 28 seconds
    100,000 Radios Per Store: The Quiet IoT Revolution Reshaping Retail

    Retail’s next transformation isn’t driven by chatbots—it’s powered by scale, signals, and ambient IoT. In this episode of the Mr. Beacon Podcast, Thaddeus Segura, SVP of Product at Vusion, the global leader in electronic shelf labels, joins again. They explore how tens of millions of connected labels are reshaping pricing, fulfillment, computer vision, and in-store intelligence—and why these real-world signals are the foundation for the AI-driven store of the future. https://bit.ly/4aSBkog



    Mister Beacon is hosted by Steve Statler, CEO of ambientChat.ai — Using AI to connect people with places and products with an app that puts you in control of YOUR data.


    Our sponsor is Identiv https://www.identiv.com, whose IoT solutions create digital identities for physical objects, enhancing global connectivity for businesses, people, and the planet. We are also sponsored by Blecon http://www.blecon.net. Blecon enables physical products to communicate with cloud applications using Bluetooth Low Energy.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    13 January 2026, 3:00 pm
  • 57 minutes 59 seconds
    Retail 301: The Science Behind the Shelf with Leon Nicholas

    In this episode, retail strategist Leon Nicholas—VP of Retail Insights & Solutions at Smurfit WestRock—breaks down the forces reshaping modern commerce. Leon explains why smart packaging, AI, automation, and shifting consumer behavior are transforming everything from supply chains to in-store experiences. He reveals how retailers can stay relevant, why “everything will be tagged,” and how small chains can now punch above their weight. A fast, insightful look at retail’s future.


    Leon’s Top 3 Songs:




    Mister Beacon is hosted by Steve Statler, CEO of ambientChat.ai — Using AI to connect people with places and products  with an app that puts you in control of YOUR data.


    Our sponsor is Identiv https://www.identiv.com, whose IoT solutions create digital identities for physical objects, enhancing global connectivity for businesses, people, and the planet. We are also sponsored by Blecon http://www.blecon.net. Blecon enables physical products to communicate with cloud applications using Bluetooth Low Energy. 



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    18 November 2025, 3:00 pm
  • 1 hour 9 minutes
    No Batteries Required: WePower’s Kinetic Revolution

    In this episode of the Mr. Beacon Podcast, we talk with Lawrence Richenstein, Founder and CEO of WePower Technologies, about how kinetic energy harvesting is powering the next wave of battery-free IoT devices. Lawrence shares WePower’s journey from startup rescue to innovation leader, unveiling self-powered sensors and switches that generate energy from motion—redefining sustainability, reliability, and the future of ambient IoT.


    Lawrence’s Most Meaningful Songs:




    Mister Beacon is hosted by Steve Statler, CEO of ambientChat.ai — Using AI to connect people with places and things with an app that puts you in control of YOUR data.


    Our sponsor is Identiv https://www.identiv.com, whose IoT solutions create digital identities for physical objects, enhancing global connectivity for businesses, people, and the planet. We are also sponsored by Blecon http://www.blecon.net. Blecon enables physical products to communicate with cloud applications using Bluetooth Low Energy.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    4 November 2025, 3:00 pm
  • 1 hour 28 minutes
    Digital Supply Chains: Food Transparency, Blockchain, and the IOTA Foundation

    In this episode of the Mr. Beacon Podcast, José Cantera from the IOTA Foundation explains how IOTA’s distributed ledger technology is transforming global supply chains. We discuss the Tangle, the Twin project in Africa and the UK, and Europe’s Digital Product Passport, showing how open-source, energy-efficient infrastructure is building trust, transparency, and sustainability across industries — turning blockchain theory into real-world impact.


    Jose’ Favorite Songs:



    Mister Beacon is hosted by Steve Statler, CEO of ambientChat.ai — Using AI to connect people with places and things with an app that puts you in control of YOUR data.


    Our sponsor is Identiv https://www.identiv.com, whose IoT solutions create digital identities for physical objects, enhancing global connectivity for businesses, people, and the planet. We are also sponsored by Blecon http://www.blecon.net. Blecon enables physical products to communicate with cloud applications using Bluetooth Low Energy.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    21 October 2025, 2:00 pm
  • 1 hour 5 minutes
    AI Meets IoT: Ersan Günes on Inpixon’s Vision for Smarter Factories

    In this episode of the Mr. Beacon Podcast, we unpack Avery Dennison & Wiliot’s latest partnership, share lessons from coding with AI tools like Cursor, and explore Amazon’s Alexa+ upgrade. Then, we sit down with Ersan Günes, SVP IoT & Head of AI at Inpixon, to discuss Chirp technology, AI-powered tools like Ask Pixie, and how IoT and AI are converging to reshape factories, logistics, and smart environments.


    Ersan’s Favorite Songs:



    Mister Beacon is hosted by Steve Statler, CEO of ambientChat.ai — Using AI to connect people with places and things with an app that puts you in control of YOUR data.


    Our sponsor is Identiv https://www.identiv.com, whose IoT solutions create digital identities for physical objects, enhancing global connectivity for businesses, people, and the planet. We are also sponsored by Blecon http://www.blecon.net. Blecon enables physical products to communicate with cloud applications using Bluetooth Low Energy.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    7 October 2025, 2:00 pm
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