The European Commission will release its vision for a...

The European Commission will release its vision for a trusted European cloud later this week, said Digital Agenda Commissioner Neelie Kroes Tuesday at the Future Internet Assembly in Athens. The future Internet will have four main characteristics, she said: The cloud, big data, the Internet of Things and fast networking. They're now converging, supporting and reinforcing one another, she said. Further into the future, there could be more innovations, such as advanced networking or 5G, she said. The most important ingredient for the next Internet isn’t gadgets or tools but the entrepreneurs, startups, businesses, researchers, engineers and academics in the audience, she said. The EC will support innovations with the “three Ps,” Kroes said: (1) A public-private partnership on the Future Internet with a lab that offers building blocks for inventors to use. (2) Platforms where ideas can be safely tested. (3) Prizes to spur innovation. The EC will put 100 million euros ($139 million) on the table to help about 1,000 small businesses and startups develop services and apps, she said. The EC talked up four user-driven projects on tomorrow’s Internet, in a memo (http://bit.ly/1l0sGoU). They include the FIcontent initiative to develop cutting-edge information and communication technology platforms devoted to applications and services in the areas of social connected TV, smart city services and pervasive games; and smart toys that will be able to connect computers and online games to deliver personalized content.