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Science fiction inspires us to dream of a future that, in many cases, becomes reality years later. Take, for instance, a food rehydrator or a hover board. And how could we forget that Douglas Adams’ glorious Hitchhikers’ Guide to the Galaxy series of books predicted ebooks, touchscreens, tablets and smartphones?
And now, we’re on the cusp of the next wave of futuristic technology entering the mainstream with IoT-connected devices like automated houses, clothes that monitor everything from your temperature to your heartbeat, and much more.
Today, I thought it would be interesting to highlight what I think are the 5 best IoT gadgets out there, and how to make them secure so that the science fiction story is positive and happy and not full of flesh-eating zombies.
Wink Bar
One of the newest IoT innovations in the bike industry is the Wink Bar. There are a couple of features that are amazing. First, you can keep track of your bike’s location — just in case you forget where you left it, or it gets stolen. Second, when linked to your GPS, a bar indicates with a light signal the direction of travel. It’s definitely a must for the urban riders out there!
Lumo Lift
Sitting straight is not always easy (I’m sure that just by reading this you’ve adjusted your posture!). Well, the Lumo Lift is here to help all of us sit up straight, because it starts vibrating whenever you slouch. I think this is a must for all geeks who spend hours and hours in front of a keyboard each day and end up looking like Hans Moleman.
QAIO Mirror
Smart mirrors are sometimes illustrated in futuristic TV shows or movies. But did you know that you can actually make your own? If you don’t have time, then QAIO is your solution. They offer many choices with various features, like temperature and traffic displays, linked smart devices (e.g. smart watch or electric shaver), and you can even watch your favorite TV shows while getting ready to go out.
Honda Miimo
Everyday tasks can get boring, and most of us would love to automate things like making breakfast. Unfortunately, that’s not readily available yet. But at least you can now cross “mow the lawn” off your to-do list thanks to Miimo from Honda. This robotic lawnmower can cut your grass in silence while you enjoy life and relax. There’s a censor to stop the blades, its waterproof, eco-friendly (it uses a battery instead of gas), and there’s an integrated GPS tracker.
Nest Learning Thermostat
Thermostats were among the first IoT gadgets that became popular in the mainstream, and for good reason! They’re simple to set up and very useful — especially the 3rd gen Nest Learning Thermostat, which makes it easier than ever to control the temperature of your home. The beauty of this new generation is that you don’t have to monitor it daily, as the thermostat learns by itself! That means no more arguments about who turned up (or down) the heat and air conditioner. Plus, it’s good for the environment and helps you save money.
Securing Your IoT Gadgets
The first step to securing your IoT gadget is to change the factory credentials. Create your own unique username and your own secure password. Also make sure that you use a different password for every gadget. The last thing you want is for hackers to find “the one password to rule them all”.
If you need a solution to create strong passwords and then securely store them, I recommend using Devolutions Password Server. In addition to storing your IoT credentials, you can store a variety of personal entries as well.
What’s Your Take?
Is there an IoT gadget that you’re very excited about? Or do you have any advice for your fellow IT pros on securing IoT gadgets? Please post your comments below.
