The Internet of things (stylized Internet of Things or IoT) is the inter-networking of physical devices, vehicles, smart devices, buildings, and other items - embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and network connectivity that enable these objects to collect and exchange data.

In 2013 the Global Standards Initiative on Internet of Things (IoT-GSI) defined the IoT as "the infrastructure of the information society."

The "Internet of things" (IoT) is becoming an increasingly growing subject of conversation both in the workplace and outside of it. It's a concept that not only has the potential to impact how we live but also how we do and work. But what exactly is the "Internet of things" and what impact is it going to have on you, if any? There are a lot of complexities around the "Internet of things" but I want to stick to the basics. 

A thing, in the Internet of Things, can be a person with a heart monitor implant, a farm animal with a biochip transponder, an automobile that has built-in sensors to alert the driver when tire pressure is low -- or any other natural or man-made object that can be assigned an IP address and provided with the ability to transfer data over a network.

Practical applications of IoT technology can be found in many industries today, including precision agriculture, building management, healthcare, energy and transportation. Connectivity options for electronics engineers and application developers working on products and systems for the Internet of Things.

Although the concept wasn't named until 1999, the Internet of Things has been in development for decades. The first internet appliance, for example, was a Coke machine at Carnegie Melon University in the early 1980s. The programmers could connect to the machine online, check the status of the machine and determine whether or not there would be a cold drink awaiting them, should they decide to make the trip to the machine.

The Internet of Things Is Far Bigger Than Anyone Realizes