The Internet of Things By Samuel Greengard. Samuel is a business and technology writer whose work has appeared in Wired, Entrepreneur, and other publications. He holds a degree in journalism from California State University-Northridge and is a past president of the American Society of Journalists and Authors.
This book is a very lightweight, suitable for a complete novice to technology. However, this content is outside previous MIT Press titles by select content experts. However, every book has an audience and this is perfect for anyone seeking to understand IoT
In fact, beginning with the example when a lamp was merely a lamp. This provides the backdrop to the integration of modern wifi and bluetooth technologies into devices like a lamp, providing lighting controls via a mobile app.
For this reason, Samuel provides how IoT is changing everything in modern society. He helps define the concepts and key terms with mobility as the baseline for all these technologies. However it is the area where he communicates the recent emerging digital technology has now defined IoT. This products now tie services, data, and people. Those models are outlined as Automation, Computer Vision, Natural Language Processing, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Edge AI, Analytics, Robotics, 3D Printing, Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and Blockchain.
Industry 4.0
Chapter 4 introducing The Fourth Industrial Revolution Emerges, helps drive the IoT. For example the focus of A New Era of Shopping Emerges was interestingly tied to The Secret Life of Groceries: The Dark Miracle of the American Supermarket by Benjamin Lorr.
Samuel missed an opportunity to push further regarding shopping and the entire focus of personal health with IoT devices. A grocery store’s database will certainly have an opportunity to sync with your healthcare provider or employer’s health and fitness programs to customize a grocery store inventory and delivery linked to personal, healthy diet choices. Take this a step further with related medical IoT devices that may monitor blood sugar to help control diabetes related issues and then IoT becomes even more valuable.
The ultimate question is whether trillions of connected devices that can peer into every nook, cranny, and space—and see in the dimensions that extend beyond human sight—will actually create greater insight and knowledge or further disassociate humans from their planet—and possibly each other.
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As an initial entry into IoT, it is common to overlook security aspects. Yet, exploiting IoT devices has been years in the making. Early development by various companies, eager to establish a marketshare resulted in a lack of security and privacy. This is permitting cyber criminals to easily (and continuously) access and control IoT devices located at global organizations. Think of the impact today
In conclusion, Samuel does provide a wonderful overview of IoT to new readers interested to learn about IoT. I was hoping for a more in-depth review based upon previous MIT Press titles.