Smart technology is everywhere today. We find it in our pockets and even smart homes are becoming more popular. Yet many people aren’t entirely sure what smart technology means.
The term certainly did not originate with the invention of mobile phones. When the Nokia brand was all the rage, people just call their hand-held phones as handphone, cellphone or mobile phone. So, it seems like we only began to use the term ‘smartphone’, when mobile phones with touchscreen begin to appear. However, smart technology actually has nothing to do with the touchscreen technology.
To put it simply, “smart technology” refers to devices that use advanced software, sensors, and connectivity to communicate with other devices. This connectivity of devices can automate tasks and these days, even learn from user behavior with artificial intelligence.
The Origins of the ‘Smart’ Term
Are you still wondering why the devices are regarded as “smart”, when they are actually not? There are many opinions and debates about the origins of this term, so let’s not get into that here. But I guess some people regard the devices as ‘smart’ because they can simplify some aspects of modern living. In other words, we can rely on smart devices to perform some functions autonomously that would otherwise require manual effort.
Think of a “smart” device as a gadget with its own brain. This “brain” allows it to process information, make decisions, and even anticipate your needs. Within the context of a dumb machine, those human-like abilities actually do sound a bit wow. I mean, have not most of us scolded at a machine before for being stupid?
So, what is your opinion? Are “smart” devices truly smart or are they dumb machines? Well, Patrick Star from Spongebob Squarepants seems to think computers are dumb.
Anyway, should we then take a deeper look into the so-called smart digital world? Let’s see if it is all cracked up to be.
A Brief History of Smart Technology
The journey of smart technology actually began long before smartphones and smartwatches became part of our daily lives. The concept started taking shape in the 1980s when computers began to shrink in size and become more affordable. The first significant milestone in smart technology was the introduction of the first “smart” device. This was the personal digital assistant (PDA), released in the early 1990s.
As the internet expanded and evolved, so did the potential for smart technology. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, we saw the birth of the Internet of Things (IoT). This is a concept where everyday objects could be connected to the internet, enabling them to send and receive data. The IoT concept is now very much a reality. Within just a few decades, the technology has now tremendously proliferated pretty much all over the world. Today, we have smart gadgets, smart homes, and even smart cities.
You may not realize it, but our smartphones were actually the game-changer that brought smart technology into the mainstream. With the iPhone’s release in 2007, a device in our pockets suddenly held the computing power of a desktop computer.
As we know, millions upon millions of us can connect to the Internet from pretty much anywhere. This exponential wave of digitization paved the way for the explosion of apps and smart devices. Thanks to the Internet, we can now also access money without a bank via blockchain-powered cryptocurrencies.
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How to Use Smart Technology More Effectively in Daily Life
We can do so much more with our smartphones than making calls, sending texts and mindlessly scrolling through social media.
Here are just a handful of simple examples on how you can harness the potential of smart technology:
- Voice Assistants:
Most smartphones come with built-in voice assistants like Siri, Google Assistant, or Alexa. You should start to use them more often to enjoy a more hands-free digital life. If you suffer from hyperopia (long sightedness), these voice assistants could be very helpful indeed. - Smart Home Integration:
You can control your smart home devices like lights, thermostats, or security cameras from your smartphone. For example, you can remotely activate smart locks. It enables the owner to control who is allowed to access their home, adding an extra layer to home security. - Health Monitoring:
Many smart apps can help keep track of your physical health. For example, there are apps that count your steps, monitor your heart rate or analyze your sleep patterns. You can certainly use these features to help you set daily fitness goals. - Automation:
Have you tried to explore the automation features on your phone yet? Look for a ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode which you can activate just before bedtime. You should also find a driving mode which you should activate when on the road.
You can do a smart thing now.
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