What Does “The Internet of Things” Really Mean?

Confused about The Internet of Things? Read this guide to find out what it is and what its implications are.

 

More than two decades ago, people thought of the Internet as a way for people to communicate and share information using their desktop computers. Eventually laptops and smartphones were introduced to the market and we realized that we no longer had to confine ourselves to our home or office just to use the Internet. It soon became apparent that you can connect to the Internet using any device that has an on and off switch – and that’s how the concept of The Internet of Things (IoT) became a buzzword in the tech industry.

 

The Future Is Now
Some people think that this is a futuristic concept, but in reality it’s being applied in so many areas – in homes, offices, buildings and even 30,000 feet in the air!
But for the benefit of this discussion, let’s cite some familiar examples. Look at your heating and air conditioning system at home. If you purchased it in the last couple of years then you can probably control the temperature using your smartphone, right? Well that’s one example of IoT technology. You don’t have to manually adjust the temperature. You can turn it on and off; make it cooler or warmer even if you’re still in the office.

 

IoT also allows you to control your lights, your TV and your home security system even when you’re in another country because you’re using the Internet. Your home security system can notify you if someone is trying to break into your home or if someone tripped the alarm.

 

The Internet of Things in the Future
In the future, entire cities can make use of The Internet of Things. For example, it can be used to control traffic. Currently, traffic lights change according to a preprogrammed duration. But with IoT lights can change according to the flow of traffic as noted by its cameras and sensors. You’ll no longer see a green light when there are no cars from that particular direction. Incoming cars that are approaching a congested area can be diverted to alternate routes.

 

With The Internet of Things, traffic can be smoother. And so can other aspects of urban life, such as energy usage, garbage collection (a trash can “call” for pickup when it’s full!), and even in health care.

 

There’s just one problem and that is security/privacy issues. But that’s probably not going to halt the progression and popularity of IoT, right? We already have hacking problems to worry about today but it surely hasn’t stopped us from using the Internet.

 

A Challenge for Web Developers
So the future is basically not just about screens being controlled and navigated by people who want to find information or entertainment. It’s going to be filled with so many devices that can tell us all kinds of info such as how fast your car is traveling, how many calories you have consumed and whether your doors at home are locked.

 

As a web developer, one of the forthcoming challenges for us will be to not only focus on the aesthetic aspects of design: buttons, colours, screens and sizes; but also on on how the Web can make our lives better off screen.