What Is The Internet of Things? And Can Your Fish Text You?

Whatever the Internet of Things (IoT) is, and I don’t really know, it’s about to get really big! It’s been a buzz word for a while, but Apple jumped into the fray this week with plans to let people control their homes from their Apple devices. The example they gave is that you will be able to say to your smart device “Get ready for bed,” and it will start dimming the lights, closing the garage, locking the doors, and maybe even putting the cat out! That makes IoT seriously cool!

So, what is IoT really? I’ve looked at various definitions, all of which make perfect sense, but none of which seem to agree! But the basic premise seems to be that you can assign an IP address to anything (and maybe everything!) and then you can monitor and track and control it. So, some more examples…

Legend has it that the first IoT application was at Carnegie Mellon University. Scientists at the university hooked up a Coke vending machine to their network, and it allowed them to see how many cold Cokes were in the machine. This saved them the bother of walking to the cafeteria to find the machine empty or, worse still, to buy a Coke that wasn’t icy cold.

Another IoT App allows your fish to text you! If you’re at work and the pump in your fish tank at home breaks, or the water temperature goes too high or too low, then you can get a text from the IoT device on the fish tank warning you. The fish doesn’t have to lift a finger…..or fin….or whatever fish have!

So, I’m not very imaginative, but the possibilities for IoT in the business and consumer world seem endless! One study predicts an annual growth rate of IoT at 17.5%. There are obviously opportunities to be had and fortunes to be made from this, but we’ll have to wait to see how it pans out exactly, but you should start telling your fish!