I think the press has most of the reporting on the IoT all wrong. For a few people, having the fridge order milk when you are low would be beneficial but to 85% (and probably more) of the people out there it's not necessary.
However, having your fridge capable of sending you a text or email that says, "Hi, this is your fridge, I'm above 48 degrees for the first time ever and this is the first message I've had to send in 7.3 years. Normally I'm 42 and I've run my entire life between 40 and 44, except when you've had the door open for too long. I think there might be something wrong!" Now that is a message I'd want my fridge to send. Or the water connection is leaking.....
What if your tires did the same thing when you started up your car? I'm below the minimum PSI you'd want for these babies....time to add some air or check for a problem". These are things the IoT can eventually provide on a relatively cheap basis and they don't compromise your privacy. Many things we now do by hand and require additional effort, as well as planning, can be done simply, cheaply and seamlessly. The communications can piggy back on local WiFi, Near Field Communications capabilities of your phone, tablet, etc...
We're not too far from this being a reality that could be very beneficial. Fix something BEFORE it's broken, Get a "heads up" in advance. |