Brazilian authorities have introduced real-time 'smart apps' that track gunfire in an effort to divert citizens away from gun violence which has engulfed Rio de Janeiro. Gun violence and crime has spiked in the beautiful seaside city. Drugs gangs are engaging in a bloody territorial war and police officers are forced to patrol the slums in a bid to try and exert some control.

The Brazilian government is continuing to aggressively pursue its ambitions to digitize the country after announcing a new initiative aimed at discovering and subsequently integrating new Internet of Things solutions into its cities.

Smart City Natal is a development by Planet Smart City, a smart affordable housing company, which has integrated digital, architectural, social and environmental innovation.

The Brazilian government has taken proactive steps in an effort to combat the increasing problem the nation faces in relation to cybercrime - by entering into a collaborative partnership with Europol. Brazil has encountered significant problems with cybercrime from both an international and regional perspective. However, officials have expressed confidence that the partnership agreement with Europol will alleviate and significantly reduce cyber-attacks.

The Brazilian government has announced that it has defined its priority areas for the application of Internet of Things, as the public policies and legislation around the technologies begin to shape. Authorities have targeted smart cities, health and agriculture as the main target areas for digital transformation.

A Brazilian telecom operator has disclosed its intentions to launch a 'Smart Cities' platform that will be targeted at both public and private sector. Brazilian company Oi, formerly known as Telemar, is the largest telecommunications company in Brazil and South America and is headquartered in Rio de Janeiro.

A security organisation will present futuristic artificial intelligence camera and sensor technology that sees, smells and listens for potential problems, at the Future Cities Show in Dubai in a push to make Dubai the world's safest smart city.

Satellite communications giant Intelsat said it will provide communications solutions for maritime customers in Latin America under an agreement with Brazil's Mareste, a privately held firm based in Rio de Janeiro.

Rio de Janeiro and Bogotá have announced their plans to join the C40 Clean Air Cities Declaration in an effort to meet the World Health Organization’s air quality guidelines for cleaner air.

A number of America's leading technology companies are collaborating through the use of automation and robotics in an effort to prevent the spread of the deadly Zika virus which is caused by mosquitoes.

A ministerial working group has been established - and is tasked with the responsibility of developing the Brazilian Digital Strategy. The group held its first meeting in the last few days - and has been given sixty working days to establish guidelines designed to boost the digital economy and define the basis and role of the EDB.

One of Brazil's largest cities is utilizing ‘smart data' in order to effectively overhaul its public transportation system. Belo Horizonte has a population of over 2million and contains the third largest metropolitan agglomeration in the South American country. Public transportation in the form of buses is the preferred method of travel for the majority of Belo Horizonte's residents.

Nokia has announced a partnership with SENAI-SP (Brazil’s National Service for Industrial Training) to implement its portfolio of technology and connectivity solutions at SENAI-SP’s lab in São Caetano do Sul, a well-known facility for mechatronics training that features an Industry 4.0 factory.

Planet Smart City, the global leader in smart affordable housing, is pleased to announce its partnership with Brazilian real-estate specialist InLoop and the subsequent development of more than 2,250 high-quality, low cost apartments in São Paulo, the largest city in the Americas by population.

With the new Monet submarine cable to the US and the new SAC submarine cable to Africa, the connectivity in Brazil is growing by leaps and bounds. In conjunction with this growth the cloud/data center business is getting stronger. Global provider Equinix has opened a $69m International Business Exchange (IBX) data center in São Paulo, Brazil, the company's largest to date.

A US online media corporation that is specifically designed for moviegoers has announced exciting expansion plans for Latin America. Fandango, which is the leading digital network globally for film enthusiasts has decided to switch its focus towards South America - and has unveiled a new global brand strategy for the continent.

US telecommunications colossus AT&T is reportedly mulling over a move to launch wireless services in Brazil.