With The “Internet Of Things” beginning to catch on as a popular topic of conversation in today’s day and age, it is for good reason as some of the most popular companies and brands we know and use daily have already harnessed the power and potential of the IoT. In it’s easiest example, the IoT is a gigantic network of “connected things” that have the ability to come together. The IoT can also basically connect any device with an on or off switch to the internet thus leveraging it to perform a specific function. For example, Facebook harnesses IoT by connecting the world’s population on different devices while Amazon is utilizing the IoT to bring together a universe of diverse retail items to the global marketplace. IoT’s application really can apply to many verticals and many situations within them.
Facebook is arguably the biggest brand in the world that has successfully utilized the Internet Of Things
What Are Popular Internet Of Things Applications?
As well as the aforementioned two examples, the Internet of Things comes in various applications and contexts that are beginning to gain traction and popularity around the world. Examples of these include; smart homes (homes equipped with lighting, heating and electronic devices that can be controlled remotely by a smartphone or computer), wearables (Apple Watch or fitbits) and connected cars (one that is equipped with internet access usually with a wireless local network). As you can tell, while the world may have gone a bit crazy with trying to input the internet into any bit of technology, however, the reality is that the Internet of Things is designed to aid our day to day lives and it is estimated by Gatner that by 2020, there will be over 26 billion connected devices dedicated to this cause.
Why The Internet Of Things Will Inevitably Affect You In The Future
As aforementioned, the IoT will inevitably assist us in our day to day lives in the future due to the simple concept of machines talking to each other which in turn can learn basic commands or patterns for our benefit to simplify general workflows shared by millions of people around the world daily. For example, if your alarm clock goes off at 5am one morning, in an interconnected world it would send a signal to your coffee maker or shower to turn on so that you can work through your typical morning as such. Is this really necessary in this scenario? Maybe but you get the point. The IoT does truly allow for endless possibilities and connected device opportunities to take place in it’s truest sense. One main concern however will remain to be discussed as much in the future, if not more than it is now…that’s the security aspect of these connected devices.
What About The Security Associated With This Phenomenon?
As absurd as it sounds, would it be possible for a hacker to reach your entire network and array of devices through something as simple as your fridge? The data contained within these devices may be somewhat pointless to many however, it is still data and does display a pattern of the subject or person at hand. Whether this data is then able to be ethically utilized for the most accurate market research and consumer behaviour trends in history or unethically through the aforementioned hackers is dependent on who gets their hands on it, however, it is generally more of a positive sign for those involved in the business world that we will soon be able to gather more data on our target markets in terms of the most niche products or workflows that can as a result be aided. To ease your mind though, as the world’s technology continues to develop at a more rapid pace than ever before in history, security programs and services associated will no doubt keep up with any potential threats associated with the innovations industry wide.