
From smart mirrors and refrigerators to wearables and thermostats, everyday appliances and devices are now connecting to the internet at a staggering pace.
Often described as the Internet of Things (IoT), this digital ecosystem is truly vast — experts predict that 200 billion objects will be hooked up to the IoT by 2020.
But what exactly is the Internet of Things? And why does it matter to the hospitality industry? With the explosion of internet-enabled devices, these questions are becoming increasingly part of an important conversation.
Understanding the Internet of Things
Put simply, the IoT describes all devices that are connected to the internet. As part of a digital network, all of these devices are able to collect and share data about their environment and how they’re being used.