The “Internet of Things”, which is commonly abbreviated to IoT, is a notion or concept that all everyday objects are connected via a network so they can send and receive data. You should care about the IoT because it has the potential to change not only how you work, but also how you live your life on a day-to-day basis.
In this article...
The Concept
Those who are responsible for helping to develop the Internet of Things often have a vision that they can simply put a button on nearly anything that will allow it to connect to or disconnect from the Internet. Once upon a time, only computers could connect to the World Wide Web, but this is no longer the case. Now, we carry the internet in our pockets. We use it to protect our homes through our security systems. We even use it while we’re shopping; thanks to the IoT and Internet-connected appliances, you can see inside of your own refrigerator while you’re miles away at the grocery store. You may never forget the milk again.
Why People and Things Should Be Connected
Although being able to look inside your refrigerator may be beneficial to a degree, the impact of the IoT on your everyday life could be far more profound. Here are some examples.
- You’re running late for an important meeting at work, but because your mobile phone is synced to your car and connected to the internet, your car can determine your destination and provide you with the best and fastest possible route. You save time by doing very little.
- You’re a teacher, and each of your students has a laptop computer provided by the school. You can add tracking devices to each device and use your mobile phone to locate them, or even to determine whether your students are using them appropriately.
- You’re in charge of keeping an office running smoothly. Your new Internet-connected printer can automatically determine when it needs supplies and place its own order. All you must do is restock when those supplies arrive.
But, What About Security?
Although the IoT affords humankind luxuries and simplicity like never before, it does come with a risk. People often ask if someone could hack into their home networks through their smart refrigerators, and the truth is that they just might. However, like all other technologies, the companies that produce these gadgets work very closely with the top IT professionals in the world. Security is always a major consideration, especially when it comes to major corporations. Right now, things are still growing, but in a few years, this security will be a major concern. Fortunately, professionals around the world are working to close loopholes long before they even exist.
The Internet of Things is everywhere. It’s all around you. In fact, you’re using the Internet of Things right now while you’re reading this article, and you’ll probably use it later if you use an Internet-connected app on your smartphone, or surf for a program on your smart TV. It’s already revolutionizing the way we live and work, and it’ll only keep changing as time goes on.
