What is the Internet of Things?

You can use the Internet to complete all kinds of tasks, such as paying bills, sending messages, and online shopping. As the Internet becomes more accessible around the world, people are finding new ways to incorporate this technology into everyday life. All of these everyday objects that connect to the Internet are known as the Internet of Things , or IoT for short.

Watch the video below to learn more about the Internet of Things.

For example, consider the thermostat that controls the temperature in your home. Traditionally, you could only adjust this from your house. But smart thermostats like the Nest and Ecobee can be connected to the Internet. This allows you to control the device remotely so you can adjust the temperature from anywhere with a computer or smartphone.

Smart and connected devices like this are commonly referred to as part of the Internet of Things . More and more products are beginning to use this technology, including lightbulbs, door locks, and even refrigerators.

The future of the IoT

The IoT isn't limited to the appliances in your home. It can also be used to connect just about anything to the Internet—cars, street lights, and even entire buildings! As more and more devices are connected to the IoT, we can combine this information to help make better decisions in our daily lives.