The Internet of Things

GADGETS GIZMOS GEEKS – By Manil S Dodani

THE INTERNET OF THINGS

THE INTERNET….
You already know what this is, not going there.

OF THINGS
Imagine a super packed Monday morning. You have a meeting at 11 am in one of the most densely populated suburbs of the city, where traffic snarls are the order of the day. You need to wake up at 6 am and work on that presentation you vowed to finish last weekend (the same weekend you have no memory of). On the way to the meeting you need to pick up your newest suit from the dry cleaners whilst coordinating directions with your phone since you haven’t been to the meeting place before. All of this and just one of you, too much to ask isn’t it?
Let’s ease out that scenario a little bit; imagine this – your meeting has been placed on your Google calendar the week before and your car has access to this, it simply calculates the shortest route from home to the dry cleaners and then to the meeting place and helps you avoid traffic infested routes. Your alarm clock is set for 6 am and as soon as it is 6, your favorite song pours out of the music system to lilt you from your slumber, your coffee maker brews coffee just the way you like it, your printer at home knows that it is low on ink and since you need to print handouts for the meeting today, it already ordered cartridges 3 days in advance! All of the elf magic above is the phenomena called the Internet of Things.

THE IOT
The IoT has been the next new rage as internet connected portable devices (primarily smartphones) eased veryday work and communication habits. The IoT can be said to work on one basic assumption, “if something can be connected, it will be connected”. Providing internet connectivity to home appliances or other devices, enabling them to send/receive data to make lives simpler is the raison d’être of the IoT. According to reports by analyst firm Gartner, by 2020, 26 billion devices would have joined together to form the IoT, a massive amount of information would then be available that can be analyzed and broken down to further understand human consumption/sleep/behavioral patterns. The application of the IoT is not limited to home appliances. Think of a jet turbine being able to communicate directly with ATC during flights and inform them of any critical failures/ fuel supplies without needing sustained attention from the pilots, especially during long haul flights! The IoT is still in its nascent stages and presents opportunities and impacts that can’t be quantified today, yet its power can be felt in the way it governs our lives! Best of luck for that meeting.

APPS of the MONTH

YOUR CAR KNOW-HOW

Try some of the most useful and entertaining car apps available today.

ACCUFUEL

Platforms:
IOS

Accufuel helps you answer the most quintessential Indian car buyer question: mileage?
This app calculates fuel Economy as soon as your fuel gauge moves towards the empty sign, can help you improve fuel economy too!

GARAGEBUDDY

Platforms:
Android and IOS

GarageBuddy stands true to its name. It features repair charts, conversion calculators and just about anything you need to get that sweet ol’ ride up and running.

TOP GEAR STUNT SCHOOL REVOLUTION

Platforms:
Android and IOS

Known by every Top Gear fan, one of the most followed games by car enthusiasts. This game will have you revving in your seat! Stunt school features exciting customization offers and a gallery of cars from cars to pickup trucks, everything you’d ever like to drive!

CARDEKHO

Platforms:
Android

This app tells you everything you want to know about cars and much more. It keeps you informed of what’s happening in the Auto industry, gives a platform to compare cars, get prices, pictures, specifications or upload your car for sale.

AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE NEWS

Platforms:
Android and IOS

The Reuters of the Automobile world at your fingertips.From history to engineering to the car industry everything reported in an easy to use and read interface. We like!

 

Volume 5 Issue 6