Internet of things (IoT) is a game-changing technology that traces its roots to the '90s. It's a model that connects everyday things together in a network of sorts. The interconnection of the things you have in your home or office get connected seamlessly to the internet and communicate with each other for higher efficiency, savings, and easier management. Not only is IoT helpful for home users, but it provides huge benefits, such as high efficiency, to large organizations.
How IoT drives efficiency in large organizations? Let's analyze it further. IoT involves a large number of devices interconnecting and interacting through sensors attached to themselves. These sensors are there to transmit some key information or data about the device. The building block of the IoT system include devices, which we call "things," the sensors attached to these things to gauge and transmit their data and information, the network connection through which the data is transmitted (wireless or wired), and the cloud-based remote system into which the data is transmitted by the system.
It's estimated that the IoT will have a connected device space of several billion devices by 2020. Research firms such as Gartner and IDC as well as technology firms such as Cisco have estimations about IoT connected device space. And they equally agree that the connected devices will go up to several billion devices by the end of the decade.
IoT is a critical technology approach that will create smart cities, smart homes, smart offices, etc., a reality.
The realization of smart cities can be a huge industry that many futuristic companies can capitalize on. There are also a large number of entrants in the IoT and smart home market.
Some of the best and most noteworthy of devices that debuted in 2015 include the following.
1. Belkin WeMo Switch & Motion: This is a home automation product from Belkin, and with it, you can control your home from virtually everywhere. It can be plugged into any device you own so that you can simply monitor the device remotely
2. SmartThings Know and Control Your Home: At 99 dollars, this is a smart hub that is compatible with a large number of devices. It also comes with no monthly fees.
3. Nest Learning Thermostat: This is a self-learning thermostat that learns your heating and cooling preferences so that it adjusts the heat inside your home according to your preferences, without any manual intervention.
4. iSmartAlarm: This is a comprehensive smart security kit for your home. This is a highly intriguing smart home security device that anyone can use.
5. Philips Hue Connected Bulb: Do you want to operate your lighting remotely, then Philips Hue connected bulb can be quite a good choice. It also changes the bulb light color according to the preferences you set from your home.
6. August Smart Lock: This tiny smart lock can be opened using just your smartphone. It can also manage a number of users, who can open it without a key but with the authentication provided by you. But it can be quite an expensive security device.