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What exactly is “The Internet of Things”?

What Exactly Is “The Internet of Things”?

Source: imgur And why do we want make it work all the time? Words: Bryan Ang Prep for the data-driven future – bank, shop and browse safe on your mobile phone with Singtel The Internet of Things (IoT) is simply the idea of machines communicating with machines to accomplish tasks without human intervention. On the not so exciting side, it’s as simple as timing your lights and air-conditioning system using an app on your mobile phone. On the very intriguing flip side, we have driverless, autonomous cars.
Singtel

The Internet of Things (IoT) is simply the idea of machines communicating with machines to accomplish tasks without human intervention. On the not so exciting side, it’s as simple as timing your lights and air-conditioning system using an app on your mobile phone. On the very intriguing flip side, we have driverless, autonomous cars.

Source: giphy.com It is IoT that has given us the opportunity to create a unique world with just our thoughts and our connected devices. We think Jason Silva, host of Brain Games, best encapsulates this modern day revolution saying, “The whole thing is mental architecture. We cognitise the world.” Here’s a less cerebral example. IoT, he says,
very enthusiastically in this video, is what allows Uber to sync with your Spotify playlist, so that when the car you summoned arrives, it’s already playing the music that you previously soundscaped.

“This is the song I like! This is the place I wanna go! Oh, let’s go somewhere! I wanna stay on top of this beautiful mountain top! Here’s the apartment I want waiting for me on Airbnb!”

This is the on-demand economy we’ve insisted on. And we’ll take nothing less.

SEEKING MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS

Source: giphy.com Pervasive connectivity — anyone can be connected anytime and anywhere — isn’t just facilitating your travels at home and away. It is also fuelling Singapore’s mission to become the world’s first “Smart Nation” But to make all this happen — the cognitising the world, the on-demand economy, the Smart Nation-ing — we need a next generation mobile network that supports all those smart devices. That was what Singtel engineers tested at the recent Heterogeneous Network (HetNet) trial conducted at Jurong Lake District with the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore. The trial found that mobile users could continue to make voice calls and text using WiFi in areas that are technically challenging for mobile signals, without the need of an installed app. Their smartphones transition seamlessly between mobile and WiFi networks so there is
the world’s first “Smart Nation”

But to make all this happen — the cognitising the world, the on-demand economy, the Smart Nation-ing — we need a next generation mobile network that supports all those smart devices.

That was what Singtel engineers tested at the recent Heterogeneous Network (HetNet) trial conducted at Jurong Lake District with the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore.

The trial found that mobile users could continue to make voice calls and text using WiFi in areas that are technically challenging for mobile signals, without the need of an installed app. Their smartphones transition seamlessly between mobile and WiFi networks so there is no need to pretend there’s still coffee left in your mug just to leach off the WiFi.The result of that particular test, WiFi Calling by Singtel, launched Sept 5.



Other HetNet tests included WiFi hotspots on buses, as well as Intelligent Steering — that’s where the network helps the uninterrupted streaming of content to mobile devices by sensing high utilisation on its own. When the network senses that there are too many people watching videos on their phones, it automatically switches you to a WiFi connection without disruption to your streaming pleasure. Which should be of interest to many commuters on the island (especially those who’re still catching up on the romance between Mo-yeon and Si-jin while on the way to the office).

Source: hulu.tumblr.com There’s a lot of technical information to do with the HetNet trials, so perhaps this might cut through the jargon: 90% of the trial users enjoyed faster download and upload speeds, better connectivity, smooth transitions between wireless and cellular networks, and better mobile surfing experiences at crowded areas such as train stations. And so begins the era of the Internet of Things in this Smart Nation of ours. May you better find that Snorlax your Pokémon Go Radar says is at Punggol Waterway for another four minutes and 26 seconds. Adapted from the feature story Connect the Future on ChannelNewsAsia.com

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