Technologycalendar_todayLast updated: Apr 2026
What is Internet of Things?
/ˌɪntəˌnet əv ˈθɪŋz/
The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the network of physical devices — thermostats, cars, fridges, wearables — embedded with sensors and software that connect to the internet and exchange data.
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Everyday Example
A smart thermostat that learns your schedule and adjusts temperature automatically, or a fitness tracker that syncs your heart rate to your phone, are both IoT devices.
publicReal-World Application
“By 2025 there are an estimated 30 billion IoT-connected devices globally — from industrial sensors on oil rigs to the Apple Watch on your wrist.”
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Did you know?
The term "Internet of Things" was coined by Kevin Ashton at MIT in 1999, inspired by RFID tags. It took 15 years for the technology to become cheap enough to go mainstream.
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Key Insight
The biggest challenge of IoT is security: each connected device is a potential entry point for hackers, and most IoT devices have minimal built-in security.
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