Writers are taught to use the most precise words possible, so understandably, a writer’s liberal use of the word “thing” in any one article or essay is frowned upon by journalism teachers. Thus when the term Internet of Thingscame to be widely used, I was delighted by its ability to deliver such a broad and imprecise meaning. It was intriguing, yet ultimately too wide-ranging — just what was this Internet of Things (IoT)?
Turns out I’m not the only one who wonders what IoT encompasses, how it works, and what it will mean in both work and home settings. For anyone interested in the future (and that should be you— yes, even if you’re getting ready to retire), there are many well-researched articles and other resources that define and explore IoT.