New data shows that there are more than a half billion smart devices in use  in U.S. households today. Tim Beyers, of Motley Fool Rule Breakers and Motley Fool Supernova, says there's a good reason for this: The infrastructure to support smartphones and tablets is geometrically better today than it was even two to three years ago.

In the video below, Tim talks with the Fool's Alison Southwick about the changes, and how they helped make the annual South By Southwest interactive conference a truly connected affair despite tens of thousands of attendees crowding both the networks and streets of Austin, TX.

He also shares three stock ideas based on his experience, so be sure to watch, and please leave a comment to let us know what you think.