Poll: Internet of Things

[Heyo]

As ever, the last hour of preparation, and the first 30 minutes or so in the car, I was worrying about whether I had remembered to close things, lock things, empty things, switch things off, leave things on, set things for our return, whether the plants would survive, etc.

That's why I have a checklist.

 

[Mock Turtle]

I just have a laptop and an iPhone. I don't tend to use the TV that much so I've not got into any internet-enabled stuff regarding this. And neither have I been interested in most other aspects of IOT although the technology doesn't frighten me - I just don't feel a need for such. I use my iPhone for so little that I haven't even installed any anti-virus on it even though I could.

 

[Brickjectivity]

I bought a robot vacuum cleaner but returned it, because it was wanting access to my home wifi network as well as my smart phone. It wanted to own my networks, and I didn't understand how that benefited me. Its also difficult to set up a separate wifi network that has no internet access, and a lot of wifi devices will not function without the internet. Some will such as wireless access point devices, but home routers are often dependent upon having an up-link during setup.

 

[Nakosis]

The "Internet of Things" is a tech term that refers to all the gizmos that connect to the internet excluding computers. It excludes computing devices such as your smart phone and is about other things like doorbells, lights, locks, cameras, appliances, etc. The term has been in use since before such gadgets were widespread. It was created probably as a buzz word in anticipation of such items, and it is usually referred to by its acronym: IOT.

This poll is attempting to get an indication of how people on RF feel about internet connected devices in their homes and how likely we are to buy and use them. Pick as many options as you like, because you can choose as many as apply to you.

My washing machine tells my smart phone which tells my computer which notifies me whenever the washing is done. I could monitor the status of my refrigerator but I haven't connected to it. We have a Ring doorbell.

Other than my computer and smartphone I don't really go looking for IOT products.

 

[bobhikes]

I have no concerns over IOT and find them amusing but I don't currently own any.

 

[Secret Chief]

Our TV zapper barely speaks to the TV. (And the TV is only brought out from behind a wardrobe and plugged in when the cat sitter stays, which is about 3 times a year).

From this one may surmise our level of engagement with the internet of thingys.

 

[exchemist]

I just have a laptop and an iPhone. I don't tend to use the TV that much so I've not got into any internet-enabled stuff regarding this. And neither have I been interested in most other aspects of IOT although the technology doesn't frighten me - I just don't feel a need for such. I use my iPhone for so little that I haven't even installed any anti-virus on it even though I could.

I don't think you should need anti-virus software on an iPhone, should you, so long as you keep the version of iOS up to date?

 

[Mock Turtle]

I don't think you should need anti-virus software on an iPhone, should you, so long as you keep the version of iOS up to date?

If I had a modern one with a larger screen I might be tempted to use it for internet stuff and in that case I probably would install Norton on it - the version I have can be used on five devices - given it wouldn't cost any more. But the likely bloating from being installed puts me off and I'll accept the low risk of being infected given my usage. I don't even back up anything on the phone given that it is mainly replaceable music data that has any value.

 

[ChristineM]

If I had a modern one with a larger screen I might be tempted to use it for internet stuff and in that case I probably would install Norton on it - the version I have can be used on five devices - given it wouldn't cost any more. But the likely bloating from being installed puts me off and I'll accept the low risk of being infected given my usage. I don't even back up anything on the phone given that it is mainly replaceable music data that has any value.

As far as i am aware mobile phones cannot be infected with viruses but can be hit with malware. So if using the internet it's always a good ploy to protect yourself.

 

[Mock Turtle]

As far as i am aware mobile phones cannot be infected with viruses but can be hit with malware. So if using the internet it's always a good ploy to protect yourself.

I'm aware that there is some inbuilt protection for Android phones but I didn't look too far as to getting anything further. But the fact that there is various anti-virus software available for most mobiles might indicate that they are vulnerable to attack - no doubt dependent on use. Perhaps a banking app is the most likely to be attacked but they seem solid enough. I just haven't the experience to know really though. My computer use is not that risky, even if I do get notifications of attacks (or what are seen as attacks) occasionally. I have never had any computer compromised fortunately.

 

[YmirGF]

The "Internet of Things" is a tech term that refers to all the gizmos that connect to the internet excluding computers. It excludes computing devices such as your smart phone and is about other things like doorbells, lights, locks, cameras, appliances, etc. The term has been in use since before such gadgets were widespread. It was created probably as a buzz word in anticipation of such items, and it is usually referred to by its acronym: IOT.

This poll is attempting to get an indication of how people on RF feel about internet connected devices in their homes and how likely we are to buy and use them. Pick as many options as you like, because you can choose as many as apply to you.

All my stuff is interconnected. I did laugh when buying a weed eater recently however. The young man asked me what features I was looking for and I said a few expectations and then ended humorously, "I don't care if it is internet ready. It's just a weed eater."