May 2017 – The IoT Academy

Internet of Things: Is it the Next Big Thing?

Internet of Things (IoT) promises certain changes in the ways we function and interact with our homes, offices, transportation, and health. Silicon Valley, the high-tech universe known to every living soul on this planet is focusing on a single thing: Technological Innovation. Anyone who is a tech user and connected to “something” is already a part of 640 terabytes of data being populated every minute. Location information, Google searches, your connectivity to a telco, Facebook, Instagram, photo uploads, cloud drive services and so on. And yes, every minute 640 terabyte of data is populated.

Many new and modern technologies are usually addressed as the “Next Big Thing”. Is it just because there will be revolutionary changes in the way we do things, the way we live and interact with each other? Or is it because discontinuity appeared on the horizon? Or did we realise a disruptive, exciting jump from one level of boring technology that we were so excited merely 12 months ago into another new one? Think of Grab, a regional version of Uber in South East Asia. It became a part of an extraordinarily successful business model that not only facilitated and inspired taxi rides but also the amazing pairing of suppliers and customers instantaneously, as well as being the precursor to automated transportation. That was the “next big thing” not long ago, isn’t it?

Wait! Or were you thinking that Segway’s PT, a two-wheeled, self-balancing, battery-powered electric vehicle that was introduced in 2001 is still the next big thing?

The Internet of Things (IoT) is the connectivity of everything that seemed so remote only a decade ago. And it has 3 essential elements that make it unique when compared to other generic “Next Big Thing” candidates: convenience, economy, and safety. IoT promises certain changes in the ways we function and interact with our homes, offices, transportation, and health. (where we are stationed, when we are on the move and concerning our very selves) And IoT investments typically yield as convenience (i.e. pre-heated oven by the time you arrive home from work), economy (i.e. efficiencies in progresses and operations when you are stationed, on the move or even without you knowing) and safety (i.e. data enabled online personal health monitoring device attached to patient’s body communicating the health condition with his physician).

It is absolutely possible to do more things with IoT ourselves when compared to what comes bundled with many of the household items nowadays. IoT gadgets are not spies or pressure sales tools that monitor your stocks at home and order from the supplier automatically. IoT might even be programmed to narrate an issue, prompt the user and then take appropriate action. For example, you can program a gas detector’s buzz in your house to do more things in a better way. If there is a gas leak, instead of buzzing, it may narrate “there is gas leak”, SMS you and then cut off the gas automatically. Therefore, your imagination is the limit what IoT can do for you. Like playing the piano, there’s no skilful player or bad player. There is one that enjoys playing the piano and one that does not.

So, isn’t it better to get started learning about IoT now and enjoy the Next Big Thing earlier? The IoT Academy has plenty of good courses to choose from and caters a wide range of audience from all ages to meet the future. Hurry, contact us now to find out more!

Internet of Things is Everywhere!

Internet of Things (IoT) has the capabilities of influencing, facilitating and consolidating many of the operational task and procedures.

Recent years have witnessed tremendous growth in major companies’ careful considerations and generous investments for the internet of things (IoT). A recent Harvard Business Review article suggests that General Electric, Ford, Toyota, Caterpillar and others have allocated $1 billion level each to develop equipment ranging from a tiny wireless device to aircraft engines. And the bottom line of this initial effort: $86 million dollars per company in the United States, according to a 2015 survey.

It is not difficult to realise that these large companies are not the only ones getting to know the real value IoT is offering but also pioneers that deal with how products perform the best for their customers. We are hearing and indeed will see more of the daily electronics equipped with IoT technologies that communicate with the manufacturer about its performance. This by no means is an act of inquiring secretly or whatsoever but an opportunity for the manufacturer to enhance the product as well as attending to our service enquiries way faster than the conventional way. In return, the manufacturer is offering significant discounts, aren’t they? Have you realised that at times your smart TV refuses to boot instantly and prompts that firmware is being updated? Or HP’s inkjet printers triggering re-orders via wireless when the ink is getting low that saves headaches for the customer? What about that? IoT is already in our lives and yes, just to enhance it, for better, maybe for the best.

For the manufacturers’ side, IoT has the capabilities of influencing, facilitating and consolidating many of the operational task and procedures. However, given the well heard, stereotype “cultural” facts like technology fears that might reveal about the business are one of the major barriers slowing IoT penetrating more into today’s life. Only the companies that continuously reimagine their business and relentlessly evolve will be able to exploit the best value of IoT both for themselves and their customers.

By the way, the term “IoT” might be new but have you realised that nobody was trapped in an elevator for more than 10 minutes in the past few decades? How is it possible that first someone is immediately attending to the rescue matter and elevator service personnel is showing up so fast? Yes, elevators and other sensitive product and services that are prone to human fears or concerning health conditions were using IoT for a very long time. Have you brushed your teeth today? Procter & Gamble does not need to ask this question to you at all if you have been using their electronic toothbrushes.

So, isn’t it better to get started learning about it now? The IoT Academy has plenty of good courses to choose from and caters a wide range of audience from all ages to meet the future. Hurry, contact us now to find out more!

Key Features Of The micro:bit

micro:bit actions include shake, tilt, free fall. Turn it into a spirit level, light it up when something is moved. Use it for motion-activated games.

Key features of the micro:bit

• 25 red LEDs to light up, flash messages, create games and invent digital stories.

• Two programmable buttons activated when pressed. Use the micro:bit as a games controller. Pause or skip songs on a playlist.

• On-board motion detector or “accelerometer” that can detect movement and tell other devices you’re on the go. Featured actions include shake, tilt and freefall. Turn the micro:bit into a spirit level. Light it up when something is moved. Use it for motion-activated games.

• A built-in compass or “magnetometer” to sense which direction you’re facing, your movement in degrees, and where you are. Includes an in-built magnet, and can sense certain types of metal.

• Bluetooth Smart Technology to connect to the internet and interact with the world around you. Connect the micro:bit to other micro:bits, devices, kits, phones, tablets, cameras and everyday objects all around. Share creations or join forces to create multi-micro:bit masterpieces. Take a selfie. Pause a DVD or control your playlist.

• Five Input and Output (I/O) rings to connect the micro:bit to devices or sensors using crocodile clips or 4mm banana plugs. Use the micro:bit to send commands to and from the rings, to power devices like robots and motors.