There’s more to the Internet of Things (IoT) than meets the eye. While the term has become a buzzword in its own right, consumer confusion still lingers over things like the difference between a smart and a connected device, making it difficult for IoT to become fully mainstream. 

In a white paper, Cees Links, CEO and founder of GreenPeak Technologies BV, discusses what needs to be addressed in the IoT space to clear up some of the confusion and encourage mass adoption.

Unify communications protocol

If you have been following IoT news in the past year or so, you may have came across Zigbee, Z-Wave, Apple HomeKit, IP, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi — which are all communications protocols that allow devices to communicate with one another, as well as with the Internet. The problem is that various devices utilize some but not all of these protocols, which leaves us with lots of devices that are not compatible with each other.

To address this, as well as to future-proof IoT devices, Links suggested, “Maybe the device makers should design in wireless connectivity chips and software that will work with a variety of protocols? That’s complicated and expensive.”

One solution for this may be to utilize smart home hubs; but some of these are also device-specific, which doesn’t address the problem of intercommunication of devices. Alliances and organizations are being forged to address this issue, but these alliances once again could create barriers between devices instead of allowing them to communicate with one another.

Steve Gallagher, CEO of Vix Technology (VIX IP Pty Ltd.), stated that IoT does not need a unifying platform as there are various IoT solutions in place all over the world, which has “resulted in pockets of connected communities operating successfully” despite the lack of standard issues, but in isolation. 

But with the IoT device market expected to reach a compound annual growth rate of 43 percent by 2019, the need for a unifying protocol may be something that should strongly be considered.  One company that aims to unify the connected world through application program interface (API) is Apigee, Inc. with its Link implementation.

Link provides built-in REST APIs and end-to-end connectivity for devices that allows device makers to offer new digital experiences to their customers as well as create new revenue streams for their partners. Link makes it easy to securely link devices to the cloud, create device ecosystems around geographically distributed hubs in homes or businesses, and rapidly develop digital IoT experiences, to name a few of its features.

Smart or connected?

Links also pointed out that many are confusing “smart” and “connected” devices, and that is why not many consumers are on board. He stated that many are using these terms interchangeably when, in reality, these two terms are vastly different. Links explained that connected devices are anything that can connect to the Internet or with one another to allow them to be monitored or controlled using a web portal or smartphone/tablet app. This, Links explained, doesn’t make a device smart; it just makes it easier for consumers to handle a number of devices at once.

As for smart devices, Links explained that these devices not only connect with other devices and the Internet, but are also able to analyze situations and be able to perform actions based on the current situation.

“Smart means intelligence,” Link explained. “Smart means the device and solution can analyze the incoming data and then make a decision to control or activate a device within the home or facility – without having a human being required to press the on/off button. Most current so-called smart devices are little more than Internet-enabled remote controls.”

A couple great examples of connected versus smart devices are the Philips Hue lightbulb and the Nest Learning thermostat. An app allows users to turn the Philips Hue bulb on or off, dim it, change color, or even create scenes that would automatically adjust the brightness of the light when activated. This device is connected, not smart, as it doesn’t learn through time. The Nest Learning Thermostat is a smart device, as it is able to learn from the consumer’s behavior and make adjustments based on various factors, such as the weather, time of day, or even the presence or absence of occupants.

Butlers not devices

And, finally, Links stated that IoT should be focused on services, not things, explaining that though some may be interested in purchasing new connected devices, people would prefer technology that will do things for itself, instead of having to constantly monitor something to know what needs to be done.

“Aside from early innovators who will buy and install anything new despite the expense and difficulty of making it all work, most consumers don’t want to buy and install a so-called smart device that requires the user to program and troubleshoot it to get it started. Consumers don’t want a product that requires them to constantly monitor and manage it. Instead, the consumer wants smart services that do all of that, automatically and autonomously,” Links stated.

A great example of this would be Amazon.com’s Dash Replenishing Service (DRS), which has recently expanded its scope. DRS will utilize sensors that will be able to tell when supplies are running low and automatically place an order for the specific supply on Amazon. This ensures that new stocks will arrive at a consumer’s home long before they actually run out.

Photo by code of the new