Microsoft’s Azure Internet of Things (IoT) Hub is now officially open for business. The hub, initially announced in September 2015, is a crucial element in Microsoft’s IoT suite, a managed service for analysing and visualising data from internet-connected devices. The Azure IoT Hub provides secure, reliable two-way communication between these devices and the cloud, across a broad range of scenarios.

The hub supports a wide variety of operating systems and languages, including Windows, iOS, Linux, Python, Java, and JavaScript. It also allows for reliable device-to-cloud and cloud-to-device messaging at scale, enabling millions of simultaneously connected devices. Furthermore, it offers built-in, end-to-end security from physical devices to the cloud, with per-device authentication.

Microsoft has also announced a new, lower-cost tier for its IoT Hub services, making it more accessible for businesses of all sizes. The company aims to provide a comprehensive IoT solution that simplifies the complexities of IoT infrastructure for businesses. This move is part of Microsoft’s broader strategy to establish itself as a major player in the rapidly growing IoT market.

The Azure IoT Hub is available in three tiers: Free, S1, and S2, with varying levels of features and capacity. The Free tier offers up to 8,000 messages per day, while the S1 and S2 tiers offer higher message quotas and additional features.

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