Hello, dear friends, and welcome once again to Friday Factday, our weekly bitesize info series. Whether you're passing some time on the bus, on a smoko break, or while your peach is parked on the porcelain throne, I'm here to bring you a smattering of facts on today's topic: Smart technology.
Let us begin!
What is Smart Technology?
The term Smart technology covers a range of different devices with different functions, so I figured the best place to start is by outlining what we're talking about.
The acronym stands for "self-monitoring, analysis, and reporting technology," and describes technology that learns (ie, it's smart, geddit, hurhur) via data collection and analysis. Common examples include smartphones, or smart TVs, but also include super niche devices like blue-tooth shower heads, and remote-controlled pet feeders. Most smart devices are connected to the internet in some way, but it is not a requirement - it simply has to learn from the data it collects.
Simon Says IBM Got There First
The answer to what is the first smart device is a contested one. Most look at smartphones as the first smart devices, but there is debate as to what constitutes a "real" smartphone.
Generally, the IBM Simon, released in 1994, is seen as the first smartphone device, as it had learning functions dependent on user input - like predictive text. The first device to use the term "smartphone" in marketing was the Ericcson R380.
It's All Becoming the Internet of Things
As smart technology continues to evolve and improve, we are seeing a wholesale move towards IoT technology - that is, the "Internet of Things."
What this describes are networks of interconnected smart devices, like, for example, a modern home with smartphones, laptops, a smart TV, a smart fridge, a Roomba, Alexa, etc, etc, all hooked up to their router network. Scaled up, we're talking smart cities and a previously unheard-of level of interconnectivity.
Smart Devices Constantly Harvest Data
Smart devices are super convenient, to the point they are now an everyday facet of life for a huge number of people the world over. Convenience, however, comes at a cost.
Smart devices learn by collecting data. Whether it's your Roomba mapping and creating floorplans of your house, Alexa listening in on everything you say around her, or your TV keeping track of all your viewing habits, data that paints a picture of your life is being collected constantly. And, here at Windscribe, we have a bit of an aversion to data collection.
That's not to say that these devices are evil, or that the data they collect isn't useful and fundamentally necessary to their function; I'm partial to convenience myself. We just think it's important people are aware of the data collected on them, and that they take a proactive stance to remain secure and private in this digital age.
Windscribe Can Be Used On Many Smart Devices
Luckily for you, Windscribe is here to keep your data protected and private. Our VPN can be installed on all smartphone devices, as well as on other devices like Android Smart TVs and Amazon Fire. You can even install it at the router level, keeping every device on your network, no matter what it is, secure and protected!
