The Internet of Things is one of the hottest terms in the technology industry. It seems that hardly a week goes by without hearing about our connected world or the Internet of Things.

So what does the Internet of Things really mean and how can we explain it in a way that everyone can understand?

I was recently asked how I would explain the Internet of Things to a five year old and I came up with the following:

 

We all like to talk to our family and friends, our electronic devices (TVs, tablets, cameras) like to speak to each other too. They speak a different language – their own computer language, called the Internet of Things.

Just like when your parents ask you to tidy your room, or you ask them for help with your homework, our devices speak to each other to solve problems and get things done.

For example, if a bad guy came in to steal your toys, the burglar alarm would tell the police to come over and stop them, or the smoke detector could call the fire engine if there was a fire at home.

By talking to each other through the Internet of Things, our computers work together as a team to help us – just like we help our families and friends.”

 

While this is of course simplistic, it is the fundamental function of the Internet of Things, our connected devices sharing information over the Internet.

What kind of connected devices are we talking about? The Internet of Things is made up of all sorts of connected devices including:

• Smartphones
• Televisions
• Alarm Systems
• Fitness Trackers
• Games Consoles

Any Internet connected device has the potential to be part of the Internet of Things, all that is required is that they connect and communicate with each other in order to fulfil a wider function.

If you’d like more information on the Internet of Things and the challenges that it presents, read my recent blog on Privacy and The Internet of Things.