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We all know about the internet and we now all know what we do with it. The internet has evolved into much more than just news, shopping, and social media. The “Internet of Things” is a term that describes how embedded devices use the internet to send and transfer media.

Yes, this is really neat.

Before the Fitbit we had step counters, heart monitors, calorie counters, and other devices to help us gain info about our health and body. These were manually attached to a piece of clothing and reported on a screen. The Fitbit has taken over a market of health-conscious people who want to know more about their own fitness. In fact, the acceptance of these devices in the mainstream is all due to the Internet of Things.

Prior to the Fitbit, most of the devices on the market communicated to a sensor and the sensor could download the information. As a runner I understand the need for figures on VO2 with a combination of pulse rate and pace. Not until recently have we had a good way to track these items. With the new technology I can review my statistics online and share them with other running groups to get tips.

The Internet of Things is not just Fitbit.

The Consumer Electronics Show, held in Las Vegas each January, is the largest tech show in the world. This show does not take just one convention center, it takes several. Almost all of the new electronic are introduced here- things like HDTV, 4K HDTV, curved televisions, Microsoft Operating Systems, and Apple devices are all on display.

The Internet of Things has changed the concepts of technology and here are some that are way over the top:

• [icon type=”angle-double-right” class=”fa-li accent”]Refrigerators that tell you when you’re low on certain items
• [icon type=”angle-double-right” class=”fa-li accent”]Luggage that will only open if your Bluetooth device is close
• [icon type=”angle-double-right” class=”fa-li accent”]Luggage you can track via an app on your smartphone
• [icon type=”angle-double-right” class=”fa-li accent”]Smart socks that will tell you how much energy you use to run
• [icon type=”angle-double-right” class=”fa-li accent”]Smart cars that download updated information daily with roads and street signs, and are programmed to receive information on traffic lights and know when to stop your car
• [icon type=”angle-double-right” class=”fa-li accent”]Bathroom scales that tie into your Fitbit to help you plan your goals and give you incentives on how much exercise to perform
• [icon type=”angle-double-right” class=”fa-li accent”]Laundry machines you can program from your smartphone. You receive alerts when the cycle is finished and the dryer can tell you if the clothes are still damp so you can extend the dry cycle.

Some of these items are not very practical. You have to ask yourself if having an app to track your luggage is going to make your life easier. If it is, then go get it.

The Internet of Things will help you put your life in a connected mode.