What is the Internet of Things?

The IoT may sound like a sci-fi series where everyday objects come to life, but it's more subtle than that.

Think:

• Smart switches that talk to smartphones

• Smart TVs playing videos from a laptop

• Smart thermostats that sync with your smartwatch

So it's things that are using the internet now? Yup!

Before the IoT, the internet was used for and consisted of information made by and for people.

• We sent messages and called each other.

• We posted and downloaded images, videos, and MP3 files.

These actions were all for our own use.

In less than a decade we have gone from using our fingers to interact with a device (the first touch screen devices like the iPod)

To being able to able to talk to our devices (asking Google on your laptop for a recipe)

To now have devices talk to each other without our help (your phone telling your apartment thermostat that you've reached home and to turn on the A/C)

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Technology is only getting started: soon the IoT may become the IoE (the Internet of Everything)!

Those fitness trackers or smartwatches you wear? The ones that can track your movement, heart rate and sleep patterns?

IoT!

The smart devices in your home such as the smart tv, lights, fridge, and your Alexa/Google Home/Siri/Cortana?

IoT!

There are even smart pills that you can ingest so that doctors can monitor your insides, make diagnoses, and help you get better.

It's safe to say that the IoT is here to stay!

Now that you know what the Internet of Things means, how does it apply to you?