While Su's keynote will focus on the convergence of the Internet and mobile communications, the emergence of 'embedded' connectivity, with once-standalone, closed systems such as white goods, home automation and remote monitoring devices now also connected to the Internet, cannot be overlooked.

"We'll get a lot of data from these devices," she told EETimes, and the manipulation, display and communication of this data using new, yet-to-be developed application software will be enabled by these standard interfaces.

Such efforts toward standardization may seem paradoxical in the context of open platforms such as those round the ARM ecosystem, as well as Linux, Chrome and Android, all of which depend on openness to allow innovation. However, as Su points out, even these ecosystems have interfaces that are controlled, though that control is nowhere near the levels of handsets and PCs, where "control was in the hands of a few top players." That, she said, is why there is such a strong pull for open approaches to system design. "People want them platform to succeed," she said.

With openness and innovation comes a multitude of implementations, so to fully enable these platforms and to promote a rich application environment, Su sees a burgeoning need for standard interfaces that will allow portability of applications across systems and make the next generation of devices easier to use for the mass market.

Developing standards without stifling innovation upon open platforms is tricky, but Su believes it can be achieved using relevant software hooks and application programming interfaces (APIs) . In the context of 2D and 3D graphics, "OpenGL is a great example," she said.

For more on the key trends and in Internet and mobile connectivity, particularly in the area of Smartbooks, Auto Infotainment, Smartphones and eBooks, see Su's full keynote comments at this week's EETimes Virtual Conference: Connected Devices conference: Entering a new age of embedded design.

Other highlights of the event include panels on middleware, development, processor choices and networking and security, along with group chats, virtual booths and one-on-one interactivity.