The past decade has spurned the invention of many new devices and making them user-friendly. The next decade seems to be the era of making these devices intuitive by integrating them with one another (and with us).

Simply put, Internet of Things (commonly referred to as IoT) is the wave of the future in the global marketplace.  And there seems to be a cloud of mystery surrounding what IoT is and what it actually does.

It’s complex, for sure, but here’s one definition:

Internet of Things (IoT) distributes application logic between the cloud and remote devices.

If that’s no help, who better to ask than Forbes?

Forbes breaks the Internet of Things down like this:

“…basically connecting any device with an on and off switch to the Internet (and/or to each other). This includes everything from cell phones, coffee makers, washing machines, headphones, lamps, wearable devices and almost anything else you can think of.  This also applies to components of machines, for example a jet engine of an airplane or the drill of an oil rig”.

Google apparently knows what Forbes is talking about. They report a potential 50 billion connected devices by 2020. And the internet behemoth isn’t alone. There’s Microsoft, Apple, QualComm and Intel on the scene, all jockeying for position. The battle of the “Internet of Things” Titans has begun.

Terminator, anyone?

In November of 2015, Microsoft announced it is working with ARM, Cisco, Dell, Intel and the Princeton University Edge Laboratory to form “fog computing”—a conglomerate or Open Fog Consortium designed to speed up the development of core IoT technologies.

If it sounds a little like SKYNET from the Terminator movie franchise…well, it’s close. You can breathe easy for now—centralized system control isn’t quite ready yet.

One digital marketer, Digital Marketing Executive at Hallam Internet says:

“While there are many devices that support the idea of IoT – like smart toothbrushes or toasters – we are still years away from a consumer-based solution.”

In other words, IoT is still in the innovation and development phase with many IoT devices in the Beta testing mode. The real battle will be which devices speak the universal coding languages of both Android and iOS. That being said, there are several Internet of Things already making a splash in the technology arena with huge potential to do positive things.

Our Favorite IoT devices for 2016:

1. BIYO: Biyo enables customers to ditch the physical forms of payment by swiping the palms of their hands across the reader at the store’s register. This IoT device uses the unique vein patterns in your palm to create your PIN (Personal Identification Number) or password.  Authentication takes less than a second, without any receipts to sign. Customers can then keep track of their virtual wallet and previous transactions online or with their mobile app. This is one possible “identity theft prevention” of the future. (After all, no one can fake your vein patterns, right?)
2. Satalyst Tracker: Powered by Azure IoT, this device is a tracking app that lets spectators and competitors from all around the globe take more of an integrative role in professional bike races.

The device provides Spectators with a visual and statistical view of what it takes for professional cyclists to “power through” the toughest parts of a race.

Such visuals consist of:

• tracking the riders on a web map
• getting a continuous impression of their effort
• compare the fatigue levels of amateurs to professional riders

In addition, the Satalyst tracking app lets onsite photographers see when they need to get to the next vantage point for photographs or race to the finish line to watch a rider finish.

3. Apple Tv: Apple’s digital media streaming device will eventually offer more than just TV and movie channels. It will serve as the main hub for HomeKit, Apple’s home automation system that helps users connect products in their home — like lights and appliances — so they work together with a single command from an iOS tablet or smartphone. A closed-source project with the advantage of brand recognition, every single IoT device registered with the Apple Tv device will have to be MFI (Made For iOS—Apple’s operating system).
4. SCR Dairy: On the “eco-centric” tip, one Dairy Farm in Germany is spearheading integration using Internet of Things (IoT) with their “Healthy Cow24” protocol.

In an attempt to ease the dilemma of increasing milk production quotas with fewer workers, “HealthyCow24,” uses sensors by Microsoft Azure and Windows Embedded IoT platform to track millions of cows around the world, sending alerts to farmers when health indicators change. This IoT device enables farm owners to focus on each cow’s health and activity, using the data to better manage farm economics and make better business decisions.

Today’s question:  How can IoT help your business in 2016 and beyond?