What Is the Internet of Things?

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a term used to describe all of the gadgets, appliances, and devices around us that are connected to an online network. 

The Internet of Things is large, including many different “things”, from a smartbulb in your kitchen to an oxygen pump in a hospital to a passenger airline flying overhead. All of these devices can be hooked to the same internet to send alerts, share information, and use machine learning technologies to improve functionality.

The Internet of Things has many uses for many different kinds of people and industries. Some of the most common uses for the internet of things are: 

• Monitoring home appliances: You can control your thermostat, security camera, and other smart home devices from anywhere with a smartphone. 
• Healthcare and hospital settings: Doctors and nurses can monitor patient health and gather important data about people who are sick. 
• Cloud storage and data transfer: People can easily transfer and store data from different devices using online networks. 
• Driverless technology and other transportation services: As we move closer to driverless cars and other machine-operated transportation technology, the IoT can help monitor and improve the technology. 

These are just a few of the many applications for the IoT. With the wide adoption of 5G mobile technology, the IoT is sure to grow larger and more important to the fabric of our daily lives. As it grows, the IoT is sure to spark a lot of conversation about privacy, ethics, and the impending robot uprising.

There are hundreds of products that make up the Internet of Things. Here’s a list of some of the most popular examples: 

• Home security systems
• Smart speakers
• Gaming systems (Xbox, Playstation, etc.)
• Smart watches
• Printers 
• Video doorbells
• Some universal remotes 
• Smart fridges, ovens, and other kitchen appliances

Obviously, most of us don’t need our refrigerator to be “smart,” we just need it to be intelligent enough to keep our ice cream frozen and our seltzer cold. But as technology advances, more and more everyday products will surely become part of the IoT, whether we think we need it or not.