The Internet of Things (IoT): Weighing Different Pros & Cons for Better Understanding

Have you ever been part of such a scenario where you could rely on your fridge to identify if you required food items or need to make a run to the grocery store? This could be done to the point where your grocery was ordered and you were simply alerted via a ping on your cellphone!

Or maybe your alarm was timed such that when it rang early morning and you switched it off, it alerted the automated water geyser to be turned on, so by the time you dragged your feet to the bathroom, you would have warm water running through the taps.

While on the other hand, your smart coffee maker would start brewing your daily morning coffee, just the way you like! To be honest, this is no longer a figment of a person’s imagination but is the reality of the world that we inhabit today!

Defining The Internet of Things (IoT)

The Internet of Things, abbreviated as IoT, is a new kind of advanced tech that’s proclaimed as the newest form of the industrial revolution by insiders. According to whom, this would not only bring fundamental change but even more disruption along with a new tech model for the entire planet. While IoT specifically serves as an extension of the link that exists between internet users and PCs/laptops. But exactly what makes IoT a hot topic in the industry? Let’s find out. 

The Internet of Things – A New Concept?

IoT may sound like a novel concept for the average internet consumer but it simply means digitizing the surroundings of a digital user. What makes it uber-beneficial is the fact that it facilitates the lives of ordinary people no matter where they are. Similar to other tech phases, this kind of tech too faced a gazillion challenges in its wake, even though countless issues still need to be tackled well. However, this doesn’t mean that the potential of IoT has not been recognized. One thing is for sure – IoT is not a fad or a trend, but a piece of tech that’s here to stay!

Weighing the Various Pros of the Internet of Things (IoT)

Let’s run through the various benefits of IoT if you truly want to comprehend the impact that The Internet of Things can have on normal, ordinary life: 

1. A Lot of Time Is Saved at the User-End

In today’s fast world, time is money. As clichéd as that sounds, this is pretty much true. Whether you are utilizing IoT for a new business setup or personal reasons, the time saved by utilizing IoT is quite a lot. Since this is one commodity that we are duly short of – in the modern world, IoT helps us manage time, so we make good use of this quite a lot.

2.  Efficiency Levels of Daily Tasks Shoot Up At Once

It is impossible to involve the internet in something and not expect it to race at lightning speed ahead! Especially when you are using a connection like the uber-fast AT&T Internet in Texas expect your internet to crawl. Because a faster internet also means that all your digital activity is done in half the expected time while saving time simultaneously as well. However, to achieve accurate results, you need to make sure that the right info is inputted. Since this is a machine-to-machine exchange, the chances of human error are pretty less. A user can program their IoT devices or relevant apps and get common tasks done within no time. While allowing human users to indulge in tasks that require much more creativity and innovation at their end.

3. Optimal Automation & Greater Control Over Digital Activity

With a WiFi-based framework connecting and controlling internet objects – both around your personal and professional space, the words “automation” and “control” are thrown like confetti. But do they bring the joy that comes with bright vibrant-hued sparkling streamers? Yes, they do! The whole aim of getting IoT to work for you is to ensure that you are a part of an infrastructure that has a digital center, which makes good use of the keywords like “automation” and “control”. And for your benefit only. 

4. Always Remain Updated With the Latest Info

It is impossible that you may be utilizing the IoT for your home or office and are not updated with the latest tech. Thanks to IoT, internet consumers can make better decisions. For instance, if you are utilizing IoT at schools, then educators can keep in touch with their students all day long via smart boards, e-books, zoom calls, and the like! Whether it is about making important decisions or finding out mundane details, IoT holds a great advantage, which one can make use of, much to their benefit!

5. Eases Data Monitoring for the User While Saving Money

One of the most obvious benefits that come with using IoT is its exceptional monitoring quality. For instance, if you are using one of those smart fridges at home, then you can expect your fridge to monitor when your pantry is low on food products or when one of the food items is about to expire. This is the kind of knowledge that you need to be updated with – not only for safety purposes but for health reasons as well! However, more than this, IoT apps and devices ensure that you can save maximum on costs. So while it may initially be expensive to get, it can help to save a lot of money in your daily life.

6. Optimal Communication Along With Ideal Utilization of Energy & Related Resources

IoT encourages several things. One, all internet-based devices stay connected, so the factor of transparency is always present. This way, users don’t have to worry about keeping the connection between various devices and the internet the systems can work efficiently without wasting much energy.

Weighing the Cons of The Internet of Things (IoT)

Although IoT has become increasingly popular in the country for the exclusive insight it provides, there is little doubt that this piece of high-end tech doesn’t come with its own set of risks or challenges. We stated some of the usual ones for you:

1. Technological Compatibility

One issue that’s expected to be prevalent, especially with the substantial employment of IoT in literally every sphere is technological compatibility. Since technology is advancing at light’s speed, a user will have to update their devices more than often, which beats out its previously stated advantage of saving money on the user’s end. What if you are not able to upgrade the software of your IoT device just because it is no longer compatible with the hardware that you have, then this can cause much worry for no reason.

2. Protect the Digital Life of Your Family Against Data breach

Another issue that most internet consumers should anticipate is that with increased reliance on the internet, they also need to learn to protect themselves against cybercrime that’s too on the rise! With IoT connecting even the most basic of home devices to the internet, the flow of info from your device to the web is consistent. To make sure that this data flow is not misused in any way or hacked by malicious criminals, you need to protect it the same way you would protect your PC/laptop or other similar bits of advice. Don’t let cyber thieves manipulate you. Click here to find out if your ISP is offering a secure service that aims to secure all your IoT devices as well!

3. Hugely Dependent on Your Internet Connection

This can serve both as a major pro and a con for most digital consumers. If you use IoT while being located in an internet-friendly cosmopolitan space, where you are spoiled with a multitude of ISP options, then this dependence on the internet may not hurt much. Because then if one provider is not working out for your family, you can always switch to another one, and so on. However, if you use IoT while being located in a remote location like somewhere in the middle of the midlands, then you may not get to enjoy so many internet options. Perhaps you might have 5G, satellite, or DSL and some more, but not as many as you would, had you been located in a busy city somewhere in the country? That’s what makes this a huge failure on the part of the digital consumer.

4. Highly Complex Coding Languages May Be Involved at the Backend of Your IoT Device

Your IoT device may seamlessly be completing several difficult tasks yet on the front but a lot is going on at the back. While this puts the average digital user at a disadvantage, this is a major issue as all tech-related domains speedily become advanced. That’s because you may not be aware of the device’s internal mechanism but even if you experience a minor glitch at your end, then you would have no choice but to call service support for their help and assistance. To avoid all such inconveniences, it is better to select IoT devices that are crucial and no other alternative is available.

5. Widespread Use of IoT Can Also Result in System Corruption

IoT gradually becoming the norm means a drastic increase in such smart setups, allowing the digital ecosystem to evolve. However, it also leads to new issues not previously experienced by internet users. One of which is with so many internet devices, one bug and your entire home setup of IoT devices can be spoiled. That’s why it is important to keep both hardware and shareware updated. But it also requires a person to use a network connection that envelopes the entire home connection with the latest security blanket, so that no matter how many smart devices are connected to the service connection, they are protected optimally at the user end! Since there is little to zero privacy between the various devices that are within the network range, cyber security is now important, more than ever!

6. Greater Increase in Rates of Unemployment Affects Health

With IoT called “the future that’s already arrived”, it won’t be a surprise if robots take over menial tasks instead of manual labor in different kinds of industries. While this has already started happening to a certain extent, this can eventually result in major unemployment and significant distress among people, whose manual labor would not receive the same wage or job appreciation as their robot counterparts would get. Furthermore, the drastic reduction in physical activity can eventually affect mental health and humanity deeply as well.

Wrapping It Up,

Summing up, IoT is a blessing in disguise but unfortunately, it comes with its set of cons as well. Instead of brushing these under the rug, establishments and industry insiders need to look for various ways of tackling the drawbacks of such a nifty piece of tech!

While IoT does enhance the quality of living, whereby levels of comfort, convenience, and even home management are increased, it also helps to save money in the longer run! The average digital consumer isn’t disappointed by their IoT device as it aims to help conserve time, energy, and costs while enhancing life on the whole.

Now that’s something, isn’t it? But more than that, IoT opens up a plethora of possibilities, which seemed a figment of our imagination but are in fact, a surprising reality of today. So why not make this terrific tech work wonders for us? Now that’s awesome, isn’t it?