The Internet of Things is the ability of physical objects or things that you use in every day life to collect and exchange data. In our home for example, we use a Sonos wireless sound system that is controlled by our smartphones and tablets, this wireless sound system plays music provided by Pandora, which selects content based on our basic preferences using a sophisticated algorithm. Our doorbell notifies our smartphones when someone is at the front door. Our DirecTV receiver allows us to record countless programs without even being home. This technology is not new, but it is expanding. Most audio/video receivers are now networked to enable control via second party devices that are part of whole home automation that includes thermostats, lighting and even window covering control. What’s next? How about a washing machine or dryer that lets you know when you laundry is done? Or a refrigerator that lets you know you’re low on milk? As more and more devices in our homes are “Networked” the challenge becomes navigating through an ever-increasing list of Aps on our smart devices. Launch an AP for your thermostat; launch another AP for your sound system, etc. There are companies that can make your life easier and consolidate everything on one screen or device. RTI is one of our vendors and provides devices such as unified remote controls that declutter your coffee table to whole home automation screens that unify all of these Aps into one screen. But wait, there’s a new kid on the block. Next week all of us electronics geeks will be making our annual pilgrimage to Las Vegas for the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). One of the early releases is the announcement that Samsung will be unveiling their new IoT-Compatible TVs. Samsung hopes that we will all turn our new TV into the hub for the entire home. Sounds like a good idea. After all this is the biggest screen in the house and if Samsung (and I’m sure other manufacturers) gets their way we will be controlling and monitoring our entire home through our TVs. Stay tuned for more.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]