Future of the Internet

As we all know, the future is unfathomable. Something no one can be absolutely sure of. However, there is a trend that is predictable and which is in our control - the advancement of technology and the Internet. The Internet is definitely something that will be further explored and extended to different uses, for example, Internet of Things (IoT). I am especially interested in the IoT because two decades ago, nobody would have expected the future to turn out as such. To ancient people (who were all dead by now), what we have now is magic. But fast-forward several centuries later, anything seems possible with the Internet and technology.

The IoT provides so many possibilities in our lives. We are able to connect with not just people, but objects as well. We are making objects come to life and be able to communicate and interact with them. So for those who are interested, here are 10 things you need to know about the IoT: 

So the IoT is possibly becoming a reality soon as Google purchased Nest Lab for $3.2 billion. Nest Labs, based in Palo Alto, Calif., makes smart thermostats that aim to manage temperatures more efficiently while collecting consumer data. Hyde Park Venture Partners Managing Director Guy Turner cautioned that while the Nest purchase energized investors, it didn’t touch off a rash of massive exits. Samsung acquired SmartThings in August for a reported $200 million. That's a good price, Turner said, but hardly at the level of Nest. He said said investors looking to cash in on the Internet of Things quickly don’t need to go hunting to buy obscure startups but instead can invest in established companies. And that GE and Cisco are the closest things to pure Internet of Things plays right now. Zapp is more bullish on startups, partly because of the open-source culture that he said imbues the growing maker movement. He said developers at startups collaborate, share and build on each others’ work, meaning they can innovate quickly.

So companies  are obviously venturing into the business of IoT, but how soon will it become a reality for us? And are you ready for it?