Wheat State's Fall 2020 Newsletter

Cornerstone Group © 2020 Wheat State Technologies • 1/800 442-6835 • www.wheatstate.com Life Can Be Easier Thanks to the Internet of Things The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to a wide variety of physical objects connected to the internet, which enable us to either con- trol or receive data about the “things” by using a smartphone or computer. Due to super-cheap computer chips and the availability of wireless networks, it’s possible to make virtually any object into a part of the IoT. As a result, the numbers keep growing. In fact, by 2021 there may be 20 billion IoT devices in use on earth by around 7.62 billion humans. 1 Examples of today’s most popular IoT devices include: • Smart appliances (stoves, refrigerators, washers and dryers, coffee machines, and slow cookers) • Smart security systems (smart cameras, smart locks, and smart doorbells) • Smart home hubs and devices (to control lighting, heating and cooling, etc.) • Smart voice assistants (like Amazon Alexa or Apple’s Siri) • Smart health devices (fitness trackers, sleep trackers, and smart scales) Emerging consumer trends in IoT include smart active wear, smart athletic shoes, and connected vehicles that tell us everything from how close we are to the vehicles around us to the best route to take to avoid rush hour traffic. IoT devices are becoming part of everyday life for many people, even those who don’t consider themselves to be particularly techie.Why? They’re user friendly and offer many benefits such as: • Convenience • Savings of time and money • Access to information to help you live better • Enhanced control over home management • More peace of mind when you’re away Have you jumped on the IoT bandwagon yet? If not, a good place to start is by thinking about what’s most important to you. If you want to save on your electric bill, get smart lights that turn off and thermostats that turn down when everyone leaves for the day. If you’re concerned about security, check out smart locks, cameras, and floodlights. Make sure your home’s internet service has sufficient speeds to accom- modate the addition of IoT devices. For details, call 1/800 442-6835. Give a Shout Out to Your Favorite Local Businesses Now more than ever, it’s important to support the heart of our community —our local businesses. The pan- demic has taken its toll, and many of these businesses are struggling to make a go of it. You can help by not only making purchases whenever possible, but also by sharing the love on social media. When you post about a local business on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, it can help that business in a couple of ways. First, your words will remind friends and followers about the busi- ness and what it offers, which can inspire them to make in-person or website visits. Secondly, your social media community can, in turn, share your content to broaden the reach and spread the word to more people. For example, if you’ve eaten at a local restaurant lately and had a posi- tive experience, give it a shout out. If a local store is offering a special deal, let people know about it. If a plumber or painter has done excep- tional work on a project, give them an online pat on the back. A few words can make a huge difference! 1 www.softwaretestinghelp.com/iot-devices