What Is IoT? – A Simple Explanation of the Internet of Things
What is IoT
Why does IoT matter
When something is connected to the internet, that means that it can send information or receive information, or both. This ability to send and/or receive information makes things smart, and smart is good.
Let’s use smartphones (smartphones) again as an example. Right now you can listen to just about any song in the world, but it’s not because your phone actually has every song in the world stored on it. It’s because every song in the world is stored somewhere else, but your phone can send information (asking for that song) and then receive information (streaming that song on your phone).
To be smart, a thing doesn’t need to have super storage or a super computer inside of it. All a thing has to do is connect to super storage or to a super computer. Being connected is awesome.
In the Internet of Things, all the things that are being connected to the internet can be put into three categories:
- Things that collect information and then send it.
- Things that receive information and then act on it.
- Things that do both.
Popular IoT Devices to Know
The Internet of Things is a complex network of smart home devices, the internet, and ourselves. We still have a ways to go in developing IoT technology, but this form of technology is undoubtedly useful, as it allows us to automate even the most mundane household tasks.
Let’s take a look at a few of the most commonly used IoT devices.
SMART SPEAKERS: AMAZON ECHO
Amazon’s popular voice-controlled smart speaker can answer questions, play music upon request, control other smart home devices, set alarms, read the news, and even make hands-free phone calls.
AUTOMATED HOME LIGHTING: PHILLIPS HUE
Phillips Hue is a smart home lighting system that involves the use of smart light bulbs, a smart hub called Hue Bridge that connects the bulbs to your mobile device, and the Hue mobile app that controls your home’s lighting from your smartphone.
SMART THERMOSTATS: NEST
The Nest smart thermostat customizes and controls your home’s temperature. This thermostat even learns your schedule so it can develop the most optimal temperature settings for your home based on what time it is.
VIDEO DOORBELLS: RING
The Ring smart doorbell connects to your smartphone or tablet through an app that alerts you when someone is at your door, shows you who is at your door, and allows you to video chat with your houseguests when they arrive.
