Menu

IoT FEATURE NEWS

Will Device Longevity Make Or Break The IoT?

By

The Internet of Things (IoT) is poised to go the technological distance. Since its creation, there have been many changes and advancements within IoT that very few could have ever expected. The popularity of the concept itself has ballooned into something otherworldly and every industry is looking to get a piece of the IoT pie, or at least invest something into it.



There have been some concerns raised about IoT in recent years and most of these have revolved around its inherent security flaws. In my opinion, this was to be expected. The reason being that the IoT is still relatively new and there are still so many flaws and errors that people are catching. Luckily for the IoT industry, these errors are normally handled in a timely fashion before there is any lasting damage done to the industry.

I believe that the biggest danger that faces the Internet of Things is not even security related. Instead, I think the success of the IoT is dependent on whether or not the hardware of IoT devices can keep up with the ever-evolving software. Many people forget that hardware and software have to work in tandem in order for some things to succeed. If the hardware is always playing catch-up with the software, how long does the IoT really have?

The Role of Software in IoT
The software is an integral part of the IoT. A majority of IoT capabilities wouldn’t be possible without some ingenious lines of code that bring things to life. The software that powers many parts of the IoT is responsible for a plethora of things. In most cases, the software is responsible for security authentication, data processing, and data gathering. Needless to say, the software has a big role to play in making sure that the IoT is able to communicate with multiple devices as well as relay and transmit data across each of these devices. It is no easy task, but is one that cannot be executed without top notch hardware that will effectively process, and execute these commands.

The Role of Hardware in IoT
As important as the software is for IoT, the hardware is what helps tie it all together. The lines of code that make many of these things possible would not function properly without hardware that could execute complex commands at mind blowing speeds. At present, many of the IoT devices on the market function with processing chips that employ the SoC module (System on a Chip). These chips are integrated circuits that have integrated various functions into one single chip in order to execute commands at a much more rapid rate. Many of these chips are present within smartphones and computers, and they are responsible for the speedy ways in which they process information.

Looking at the Future
As IoT continues to progress, it is becoming clear that software evolves at a much faster pace than the hardware. However, if this is meant to succeed, each of these things will have to complement the other. IoT is not intended for only small-scale operations. There are entire cities that are in the process of being automated for the future. In order for these to become a reality, IoT needs to be sustainable. The only problem is that the hardware for IoT devices will have to be constantly iterated in order to keep up with the software that is being used in conjunction with it. There are talks about new chip models being constructed for the IoT of the future that will function in a much more efficient way than the SoC module.

More recently, many IoT hardware manufacturers have begun to gravitate more towards SiP (System in Package) which functions as a much more efficient way to operate IoT devices. SiP’s are essentially a number of integrated circuits that are meant to function together. The longevity of IoT devices depends largely on whether or not the hardware components are able to withstand the test of time. For instance, let’s take a look at some smart locks. If a homeowner recently bought the August smart lock, and made use of a software patch that will help them have better security, what happens if the old hardware on the lock is not compatible with software updates and patches. Does this then mean that this homeowner will have to go out of their way to buy another smart lock, and go through the entire smart lock installation process again?

Conclusion
I believe that the success of IoT is highly dependent on whether or not IoT devices have hardware that is on par with the software that the industry puts out. The Internet of Things has a lot of data being transmitted and received on several different networks. This could be in the home or even in cities that utilize smart technology. In order for all this data to be handled securely and promptly, the hardware needs to pull its weight or else the IoT will be left facing an early end.

Author Bio: Ralph Goodman is a professional writer and the resident expert on locks and security over at the Lock Blog. The Lock Blog is a great resource to learn about keys, locks and safety. They offer tips, advice and how-to’s for consumers, locksmiths, and security professionals.




Edited by Ken Briodagh
Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. [Free eNews Subscription]


SHARE THIS ARTICLE
Related Articles

Rising Edge Computing Investments to Reach $350B by 2027, According to IDC

By: Alex Passett    3/27/2024

Worldwide spending on edge computing is expected to surge (and then keep going) for the foreseeable future, according to the International Data Corpor…

Read More

ZEDEDA Adds Lisa Edwards as New Board Member, Seeks Opportunities to Strengthen Operations and Scale

By: Alex Passett    3/26/2024

Earlier this morning, ZEDEDA announced the addition of Lisa Edwards to its board of directors.

Read More

An Existing IoT Collab, Emboldened: Digi International and Telit Cinterion Transform Solutions with 5G RedCap Integration

By: Alex Passett    3/25/2024

The ongoing industry collaboration between Digi International and Telit Cinterion signals strong support for the mainstream showcasing of 5G for IoT a…

Read More

Telit Cinterion's 5G LGA Modules, Powered by Snapdragon from Qualcomm, to Create a Big Leap in IoT Connectivity

By: Alex Passett    3/25/2024

Telit Cinterion recently unveiled its FE990B34/40 LGA family of modules, powered by the Snapdragon X72 5G Modem-RF System from Qualcomm Technologies, …

Read More

Embracing Innovation in Mining: The Role of Network-Aware Applications in the Digital Transformation

By: Special Guest    3/21/2024

Shabodi leverages private 5G network capabilities and enables the development of network-aware applications to enhance operational efficiency, automat…

Read More