How the internet of things can possibly change 2017

The internet of things continues to revolutionize and impact the way we live and work on a daily basis and it’s only going to get larger. Gartner, an analyst firm, said that by 2020 there will be over 26 billion connected devices. This means that more people will be connected with each other, their things, and things with things.

The past year’s journey

2016 was a big year for the internet of things. In an article published in January 2016, it was predicted that 500 million devices will be added to the expanding IoT of the year, growing to 36 percent from 2015. However, at the start of the year, security was a major issue to “ensure the growth of IoT” this year.

The same source above also listed some of the top trends for 2016. These included smart cities, connected cars, smart meters in smart homes, retail, personal technology, big data, security, startups, and new connectivity technologies.

A survey conducted by Spiceworks revealed that 440 IT “pros” in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa said that they have more IoT devices connected to their networks than in 2014. Wearables in the workplace have nearly doubled, according to the source but is a top threat for security breaches among the IoT devices.

In addition, those findings also said that security is taking over the insufficient bandwidth as the top concern when it comes to keeping users connected. Regarding security, results revealed that “IoT devices also create more entry points to a network, with three-quarters of IT professionals worried that IoT manufacturers are not implementing sufficient security measures.”

The internet of things in 2017

Tech and market research firm, Forrester predicted a few trends in 2017 which of course, includes the internet of things. It said that firms see the big opportunity in extending its functions further into the field, holding the promise of enhancing customer relationships and driving business growth.

Moreover, Forrester said that “IoT data will be coupled with increasingly powerful artificial intelligence capabilities.” It added that next year, teams will search through “more than 19 new wireless connectivity choices and protocols to support the company’s diverse set of IoT devices.”

In addition to this, Forbes reported that IoT will enable more moments to be connected on mobile devices including smartwatches, home appliances, cars, and virtual assistants. The source said, “these connected devices will offer up a rich stream of data that service and product owners will use to interact with customers.”

Smart IoT hubs

As these 2017 predictions suggest, our gadgets need to be connected more than ever to be able to create a unified environment where living and working can become a breeze. At home or at the office, gadgets need connectivity to be able to interact and work with one another for a seamless user experience. Helping to create that environment are items such as network extenders from  5BARz International (OTC: BARZ), which uses a patented process of radio frequency-based technology fitted into a single box, making enhanced connectivity completely wireless.

One of the technologies that will pair well with the internet of things is the 5BARz ROVR Wi-Fi Router. Ideal for next-generation digital homes, the device encompasses intuitive features and functionalities that enable Wi-Fi users to smartly monitor, manage, and control their home networks. The ROVR features customizable bandwidth and data usage, remote monitoring, alerts, and advanced IoT capabilities ideal for use with the 5BARz Smart Experience connectivity suite.

5BARZ India CEO Samartha Nagabhushanam commented, “The ROVR is a game changer with features that are very advanced and beyond what is currently accessible to many homes. For example, the smart feature of Wi-Fi is not a feature that most homes have heard about where homes can allow family members to customize for each member by usage. Using the product with these advanced capabilities give you an altogether different smart experience.”

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