Internet of Things: Smarter Homes with Smarter Phones

Living in this technological era does not only mean that we are surrounded by a constantly rising number of Internet celebrities, but that we should also make something useful of the opportunities given to us. Being tech-savvy can get you really far in your professional and personal life, but only if you know how to get there. Using your devices in a new way also includes making the best of their remote options and getting a fraction of your work done via the Internet. In other words: in this day and age, you do not have to be at a computer to make it do something. Here is how you can explore the possibilities of the Internet of Things.

internet of things

The Past, the Present and the Future

How were things done in the ye olde days, as opposed to now? Well, you had to have access to all the devices you wanted to use and a whole lot of LAN cables. Moreover, if your devices – such as printers, photocopiers and scanners – were in another room, you had to give command on your computer, then walk all the way to these peripheries, turn them on and then perform the action you wanted. It involved a lot of walking and stress, and not that much work was getting done due to that.

Now, however, this is different with the Internet of Things and home gadgets that work using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections. Cables became obsolete and everything is made easier. We can access our computers, printers and even fridges while out of house – and the possibilities are countless!

Print Jobs

This is one of the most commonly used feature today – printing from afar. This option is perfect both when working at home and at the office. If your working desk had no room for a printer, some time ago you had to make changes to your space organization and try to accommodate it anyways. Now, however, you can place it wherever you want and still use it uninterruptedly.

The same goes for office work – a large number of people can use one printer and none of them have to be physically near it! That is the beauty of remote printing feature, but, still, do not forget to maintain your printers. Using them remotely means that you may not notice when your printer ink is running low, so you should check it from time to time to avoid being left without important documents.

cube sensor

image: https://cubesensors.com

Other Ideas

Some of the more extravagant ideas are always presented on tech shows and people seem to love them more and more. For example, CubeSensors are small cube-shaped sensors – you don’t say! – that are connected to your laptop wirelessly. They collect data about your home environment and the quality of your air, and this knowledge can positively affect your health.

Internet of Things can be used in the kitchen as well – smart fridges will notify you which items you have to buy, while cooking gadgets and apps will turn you into a real Jamie Oliver in no time!

Security Risks

While using these devices is not only a sign that you follow technological trends, but also that you are actively participating in creating the world of tomorrow, there are some concerns. Namely, you have to realize that everything you connect to the Internet can be targeted and attacked by hackers. They can access your personal data, use it against you and harm your privacy. That is why you need to pay attention to safety and security and always use personalized codes and passwords – remember, the Internet of Things provides great opportunities, but you must use it wisely to get the most of it.

Marcus Jensen

Marcus is an Australian IT support professional. He’s running his own business, working with companies that outsource their IT maintenance. He often writes about technology, business and marketing and is a regular contributor on several sites.

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