Latest news with #connectedDevices
Forbes
01-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
How IoT Came To Dominate Everyday Life
Thomas Ryd is CEO & cofounder of a device lifecycle management leader with a mission to secure the world's connected devices. The internet has transformed nearly every aspect of modern life over the past few decades. Smartphones, laptops and digital communication are everyday essentials, seamlessly woven into how we work, live and stay connected. Beyond these ubiquitous technologies, the quieter rise of connected devices unfolded. From refrigerators that remind you to restock groceries, video doorbells that enhance home security and industrial robots that fine-tune production lines to modern breakthroughs like self-driving cars and autonomous security robots, the Internet of Things (IoT) is an invisible yet indispensable part of daily life. Decades of cumulative progress—advances in wireless connectivity, miniaturized sensors, cheaper technology and better computing power—gradually converged to unlock new IoT possibilities and a technology-enhanced future. For OEMs competing in the connected device market, an IoT retrospective uncovers patterns in progress that still influence today's challenges, especially concerning securing, managing and updating connected devices at scale. The Foundations Of IoT: Leveraging Data The foundation of IoT predates modern commercial offerings. In the late 1960s, ARPANET demonstrated how networked systems could share data. By the 1980s, technologies like radio-frequency identification (RFID) and machine-to-machine (M2M) communication enabled devices to exchange data without human input. By 1999, Kevin Ashton, a British technologist at Procter & Gamble, coined the term "Internet of Things" to describe a vision where everyday objects interact digitally. Early IoT applications took root in logistics and manufacturing. Companies like Walmart used RFID tags to improve inventory tracking, while factories adopted M2M systems to automate operations. Defense industries also explored connected equipment to enhance battlefield awareness, proving the value of connected devices well before IoT became mainstream. Challenges That Emerged With Mainstream IoT The 2010s marked IoT's breakout from industrial backrooms into everyday life. Devices like Nest thermostats, Fitbit wearables and voice assistants such as Alexa brought smart technology into homes, fitness and daily routines. Cloud computing fueled this growth by enabling smaller, cheaper and more powerful devices. It supported everything from car infotainment systems to smart farming, like John Deere's use of IoT sensors to monitor soil and boost crop yields in real time. However, this rapid ascent came with hurdles. As more devices came online, the lack of standardization across hardware and communication protocols made interoperability increasingly difficult. Devices from different manufacturers often couldn't communicate effectively, creating fragmented systems and stalling progress. The complexity in the ecosystem increased the cost, time-consumption and failure rate of IoT systems, especially at scale. At the same time, the proliferation of connected devices created a much larger attack surface. Countless OEMs rushed to launch products, often skipping robust security measures. Major incidents like Stuxnet, the Yahoo data breach and the Mirai botnet highlight vulnerabilities, with data to cyber-physical repercussions. Insecure endpoints, poor management and generally immature cybersecurity practices created an ecosystem ripe with exploitable gaps. As IoT adoption surged, so did the complexity of managing vast fleets. What worked for pilot deployments quickly became untenable at scale. OEMs faced challenges in onboarding, updating and monitoring thousands of products across varied environments, connectivity and applications. Without centralized visibility and control, device management and security became resource-intensive and error-prone. Lessons Learned In The Evolution Of IoT Security remains a significant weakness, exposed by incidents from hacked baby monitors to pipeline ransomware attacks. To bolster security and safety, standards and regulations emerged to force accountability, including compulsory NERC CIP for the North American energy grid and GDPR for EU data privacy. Following suit, the EU Cyber Resilience Act forces manufacturers to manage product security for EU market access. Security can no longer be an afterthought. Product strategy must encompass secure design, vulnerability monitoring, regular updates and managed decommissioning from the outset. Compliance isn't solely about avoiding penalties but maintaining long-term viability in a connected world. Many connected products were launched without a clear strategy for long-term support, updates or integration—leading to compatibility issues, downtime and regulatory hurdles. GE's industrial IoT platform, Predix, offers a cautionary tale. Despite strong early adoption, limited integration planning and a lack of scalability ultimately forced GE to downsize its digital division. Building the product is the beginning, not the destination. Enterprises expect secure, interoperable systems that evolve over time. Failing to plan for ongoing support, updates and ecosystem alignment introduces risks that can derail even the most promising innovations. Bold visions aren't enough. Projections of IoT transforming sectors like healthcare and urban planning often outpaced real-world readiness. Companies like Waymo made headlines with self-driving taxis, yet deployment is still limited to a few cities. Complex vetting, regulation and safety challenges slow mass adoption. Events like CES continue to showcase futuristic technology, but the path from demo to mass-market reality remains long, oftentimes measured in decades. Adding software to hardware transforms the business model. Long-term success requires not just innovation but ongoing support, including updates, maintenance, security and compliance. OEMs must plan for sustainable revenue sources to fund the ongoing costs of software. The Road Ahead Billions of new devices are expected to come online. However, adding more devices to the mainstream does not secure the future of IoT if these connections are not also more resilient. This next wave of growth demands enhanced security, device life cycle management and financial stability to enable continuous support and operability. Products must be reliable while maintaining robust security and privacy protections—regardless of environment, complexity or application. Ultimately, tech innovation won't purely define the next chapter of IoT. It will hinge on how effectively OEMs manage the device life cycle—from secure design and deployment to ongoing updates, compliance and responsible decommissioning. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
Bloomberg
29-05-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Amazon-Owned Blink Debuts Doorbell Cam With Wider View, Person Detection
Blink, the Inc. -owned hardware brand known for its connected doorbells and video cameras, introduced new devices on Thursday, the latest entries in a saturated market for smart-home gadgets. Compared with its predecessor, the newest Blink Video Doorbell provides a more expansive 150-degree 'head-to-toe' field of view that should give a fuller preview of guests and package deliveries, according to the company. The device runs on three standard AA batteries and is rated for as much as two years of battery life, it added.
CNET
18-05-2025
- CNET
2.4GHz vs. 5GHz Wi-Fi: Which Wi-Fi Band Is Right for Your Home?
For most home internet users, establishing fast internet speeds usually means upgrading to a faster plan or signing up for a new service. However, there may be a more straightforward way to achieve faster speeds, and even save more money in the long run. Understanding this one small technical detail about your router can change the quality of your internet connection. Determining what kind of Wi-Fi band you have can provide more insights into how to optimize your internet connection. Most routers are equipped with either 2.4GHz or 5GHz (in some cases both), but if you can choose only between the two, CNET recommends the 5GHz since it boasts faster speeds and less interference from other devices. Sandeep Harpalani, vice president of product management at Netgear, tells CNET that the average home in the US has over 20 connected devices running at any given time. "This includes static IoT devices, which may not be robust enough or even require more than 2.4GHz, and mobile devices such as phones, PCs and tablets used for streaming or gaming," Harpalani said. When choosing the right Wi-Fi band for their router, Harpalani recommends that home internet users assess their internet speed usage, the number of devices in the home and their online activities. Let's dive into the details. What is a Wi-Fi band? Your Wi-Fi connection uses the power of radio waves to transmit data wirelessly from your router to other connected devices. Most Wi-Fi routers are equipped with frequency bands of either 2.4 gigahertz or 5GHz and, in some cases, both. According to Britannica, hertz is a measurement of the frequency of waves. For example, one hertz can translate to one wave per second, whereas one gigahertz can equal one billion waves per second. Locating local internet providers Don't let these technical terms or numbers confuse you. The key thing to know is that every router has a Wi-Fi band that can send a specific amount of data to other devices. These Wi-Fi bands can impact various factors, such as speeds, range and the likelihood of nearby devices interfering with your connection. How to know which Wi-Fi band you have? The simplest way to tell which Wi-Fi band you have is to access your Wi-Fi network panel through your mobile device or computer. Navigate through the Wi-Fi networks available. If you see multiple similar network names with either 2, 2G, 2GHz or 5, 5G, or 5GHz associated, this can signify the specific Wi-Fi band used. Sometimes, the network name without any of these terms can signify the 2.4GHz network. As a Windows user, I determined that my Wi-Fi band is 5GHz by accessing my Wi-Fi network panel settings. Trisha Jandoc However, if checking the Wi-Fi network names on your mobile device is unclear, a more effective solution would be to check using your computer. MacOS users : Click on the Wi-Fi icon while holding down the option or alt key, then look for the channel category. Next to the channel category, you should see if your Wi-Fi band is 2.4 or 5GHz. : Click on the Wi-Fi icon while holding down the option or alt key, then look for the channel category. Next to the channel category, you should see if your Wi-Fi band is 2.4 or 5GHz. Windows users: Open the network panel from your taskbar, then click on Wi-Fi. Next, click on properties and scroll down to network band details. Then, look for mentions of 2.4 or 5GHz. 2.4GHz vs. 5GHz: What is the difference? Screenshot by CNET/CenturyLink Now that you know what type of Wi-Fi band you have, let's explore each band's capabilities. When comparing Wi-Fi technology equipped with 2.4GHz and 5GHz, consider range, speed and interference from nearby devices. Network range If your network displays a Wi-Fi band of 2.4GHz, your internet connection will cover a wider area, making it suitable for larger homes. Whereas with 5GHz, the range is likely to be limited and is less effective in penetrating through walls. CNET's broadband expert, Joe Supan, visited the CNET labs in Louisville, Kentucky, where we test routers to test the ranges of each band. After conducting a series of signal strength tests, it was determined that the 2.4GHz band offered better range than the 5GHz band. Read more about how we test Wi-Fi routers here. Still, a 5GHz band can provide adequate coverage for a smaller home, especially if the router is in a central location. According to CenturyLink, using devices near the router if you have a 5GHz Wi-Fi band is best. Alternatively, home internet users can invest in a Wi-Fi extender to reach more areas throughout the home. I put this to the test when troubleshooting my slow gigabit speeds at home. Internet speeds Despite a limited range, a 5GHz Wi-Fi band will boast faster speeds. This is an ideal option for activities that require speedier bandwidth. You can benefit the most from a 5GHz band if you stream in 4K, game online or conduct video conferencing. These fast speeds are due to the 5GHz technology's ability to transmit higher data rates. A 2.4GHz Wi-Fi band won't produce the same speeds, but it should be enough to support basic web browsing and checking emails. Read our comprehensive internet speed guide to learn how much speed your household needs. Device interference and Network Congestion One disadvantage of using a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi band is that it's more susceptible to interference from other devices on the network. Certain connected devices, including smart home devices, microwaves and Bluetooth speakers, can crowd your network. Too many devices can lead to network congestion when the traffic moving through your network is at its capacity, which can significantly reduce your speeds. 2.4GHz and 5GHz: pros and cons Wi-Fi Band Pros Cons Suited for 2.4GHz Wider range Slower speeds Larger homes Better penetration through walls More susceptible to interference from other devices 5GHz Faster speeds Shorter range Small homes/apartments Less susceptible to interference from other devices Less effective in penetrating walls Show more (0 item) Shop providers at my address Each band offers a unique set of benefits and limitations. Determining which Wi-Fi band works for you will depend on your household's online activities and speed needs, the size of your home, and how many devices are connected to your network. What is a dual-band router? You can invest in a dual-band router if you don't want to choose between either. This router is best suited for various Wi-Fi 6 compatible devices, like the latest iPhone models, Apple TV, Google Pixel 6 and 7 and so on. A dual-band router is equipped with technology that can broadcast two separate frequency bands; in other words, it can support both Wi-Fi bands: 2.4GHz and 5GHz. Using a dual-band router can effectively enhance your internet connection by featuring faster speeds, broader coverage throughout your home and reducing interference from other nearby devices. The bottom line "Devices in a home always have a mix of varying requirements when it comes to Wi-Fi. One size does not fit all," Harpalani said. "The good news is that if you pick a router or mesh system that supports your very latest, highest performing device, everything else in your home will be covered." Determining which Wi-Fi band is better will depend on the size of your home, your household's online activities and the number of connected devices to your network. But CNET recommends going with 5GHz as it features faster speeds which can support many activities such as streaming, gaming and videoconferencing. While a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi band can cover more area, being perfect for larger homes, the downside is that you'll likely experience slower speeds and be prone to interference from other electronic devices. A 5GHz Wi-Fi band provides less range, but you can always invest in a Wi-Fi extender to reach the dead spots in your home. On that note, you can also invest in a dual-band router to use both 2.4GHz and 5GHz technology, enhancing your overall internet connection. 2.4GHz vs. 5GHz Wi-Fi band FAQs What is a Wi-Fi band? A Wi-Fi band is the range of frequencies broadcasted from your router to nearby devices. Most routers are equipped with Wi-Fi bands of 2.4GHz and 5GHz. Is a 5GHz Wi-Fi band faster than 2.4GHz? A Wi-Fi band of 5GHz will be the best option for most households looking for a reliable and fast internet connection. While the 2.4GHz band can accommodate larger homes since it offers broader coverage, it's not as fast. More importantly, a 2.4GHz band is susceptible to interference from electronic devices nearby, resulting in network congestion. Home internet users will likely experience reduced speeds during times of network congestion How can I optimize my connection using a Wi-Fi band? To maximize your Wi-Fi band, consider the following factors: range, speed and interference from nearby devices. Each Wi-Fi band has a unique set of benefits and drawbacks. If you're looking for top speeds, a 5GHz band will be a solid choice. However, larger homes can benefit the most from a 2.4GHz band since it provides more coverage throughout the house. How do I know which Wi-Fi band I have? A simple way to know which Wi-Fi band you have is to access your Wi-Fi network panel settings through your mobile device or computer. Though checking through your computer might be a more effective solution. This will look slightly different depending on what type of device you use. Below are instructions for Windows and MacOS users: MacOS users: Click on the Wi-Fi icon while holding down the option or alt key, then look for the channel category. Next to the channel category, you should see if your Wi-Fi band is 2.4 or 5GHz. Windows users: Open the network panel from your taskbar, then click on Wi-Fi. Next, click on properties and scroll down to network band details. Then, look for mentions of 2.4 or 5GHz. Should I set my Wi-Fi to 2.4GHz or 5GHz? Choosing which Wi-Fi band is right for you will depend on the size of your home and your broadband needs. If your household frequently streams and plays games, then you should set your Wi-Fi to use the 5GHz band. On the other hand, setting your Wi-Fi to use a 2.4GHz band will come in handy if you own a larger home. Depending on the type of router you have, you may be able to broadcast both bands simultaneously, which is the case for dual-band routers.
