Everywhere we turn nowadays, our lives are connected to the cloud. The Internet of Things, or IoT, is a hot trend in the tech community with last year’s CES kicking things off for companies like Samsung, LG, Sony, and more. As more companies jump on board, IoT is becoming something you just can’t escape from, but is it right for the world we live in?
Let’s look at IoT and how it connects just about everything in your life. We’ll also look at whether this is a good idea or not for the average consumer.
What is the Internet of Things?
IoT is a network of electronics that connect to one another to make your life easier. By using Wi-Fi and the cloud, you can access just about every part of your life from a central device or location. For example, if you own a smart car and a smart TV, imagine listening to music in your car and your car knowing when you get home. As soon as you walk in the door, your TV turns on and continues from where you last heard music in your car. That’s the basics of the Internet of Things.
The Internet of Things looks to connect everything that’s “smart” in our lives from cars to network devices to smartphones to TVs and more. Not only are these devices connected, they learn information about your habits and share that information between devices giving you a completely connected experience. The more devices you have that integrate IoT into what they do, the more you can take advantage of what being connected means in today’s technological age.
Is IoT the Way of the Future?
According to every major consumer electronics player and service in the industry, IoT is the future. We’re already connected every day via the web and the cloud. Why not connect all our devices through the cloud to give us a full-service experience no matter what we use or where we are during our daily lives? Chances are you’re already using IoT in some way, shape, or form in your life, especially if you have a smartphone or smart watch at your disposal.
As these devices become smarter, the more connected they become. As more homeowners invest in smart homes and as more drivers invest in smart cars, our everyday lives become more connected than ever before bringing us closer to embracing the Internet of Things.
Should Consumers Be Concerned by the Internet or Things?
Consumers should be concerned by the IoT. While in theory making lives easier is a great practice, when it comes to the world wide web, we’ve seen how vulnerable it can be. Whether it’s credit card companies being hacked, drones spying on neighbors, or information just falling into the wrong hands, there’s still ways IoT could be vulnerable to hacking and other cyber security threats.
When it comes to your personal information in the world of the Internet of Things, it’s important to only put out there what you can afford to put out there. That means turning off certain features of your smart devices and ensuring you’re using strong passwords no matter what you do online.
The Internet of Things isn’t going anywhere; it’s only going to grow stronger. Learn what IoT can do for you, protect your personal information and habits, and proceed with caution. IoT could be an amazing way to make our lives easier, it may also make us too connected to the world around us. It’s up you to decide whether the convenience of the Internet of Things is worth the risks involved.
