As the name suggest, the Internet of Things (IoT) is all about connecting things with the internet. Once connected, the thing becomes an IoT device. An effective IoT device needs to have sensors, actuators and a Radio Frequency (RF) module that allows it to transmit and receive data or signals via the internet. Smartphones are arguably the most versatile IoT devices. They are packed with sensors. And almost everybody has one. Mobile applications running on smartphones can leverage the IoT data connectivity supported by their array of sensors to enable a variety of innovative use cases.
Use cases where a smartphone can be used as an IoT device include personal emergency response, fitness tracking, location based asset tracking and natural vision processing. Smartphones can be used as a Bluetooth gateway for wearable Bluetooth devices that enable many IoT monitoring apps. Identity verification, GPS based guidance, position/orientation awareness apps and games are well suited for smartphone based implementation. Applications that require IoT devices to be placed in remote locations or have a long battery life are not suitable for smartphone use. Industrial monitoring/IIoT and healthcare applications that require wearable devices fall within this category. Cost is another limiting factor. Smartphones are providing opportunities to offer new products and services that can change the way we live our lives and conduct business.
There are several advantages of these smart devices and some of them are given below.
- IoT encourages the interaction between devices called as a machine to machine interaction.
- It provides good automation and control.
- Integrated with more technical information, so it is better to operate.
- IoT possesses strong monitoring feature.
- It saves a lot of time.
- IoT helps to save more money by reducing manual task and time.
- Automating daily life tasks makes good monitoring of devices.
- Increased efficiency and time-saving.
- With good features make a better quality of life.
Though there are several advantages, there are certain disadvantages too. Enlisted below are the various demerits:
- Internet of Things devices does not have any international compatibility standard.
- They may become highly complex resulting in failure.
- Internet of Things devices may get affected by privacy and security breach.
- Reduced safety for users.
- Reduction in the employment of manual tasks thus resulting in job reductions.
- Internet of Things device may take control of life in due course of time with increasing AI technology.
There are several top devices in the market. Smart Mobiles, smart refrigerators, smart watches, smart fire alarm, smart door lock, smart bicycle, medical sensors, fitness trackers, smart security system etc., are few examples of IoT products. IoT device market is increasing drastically, hence it is assumed to have more than 20 billion IoT products in the market up and in running state by the year 2021.IoT product/devices are basically physical devices integrated with software and can connect with each other over the internet to exchange information, they help the user for more simple and direct integration of the physical world
Internet of Things IoT device is a burning topic in the current era. We understood how these smart devices developed by mankind for mankind are impacting in both positive and negative ways. We have come to know about IoT device which is the Internet of Things and the various types of devices which include IoT in our day to day life and the process in which the IoT devices make a user’s task simple and quick. We know how this technology, which is increasing drastically is going to impact the future of mankind and the working principle of IoT devices.