How the Social Internet of Things is Revolutionizing Connectivity

How the Social Internet of Things is Revolutionizing Connectivity

Humans are both innovative and social beings leading to technological advances that are changing the way we interact. The desire to connect has inspired a global technological network linking people, data, and things.

Traditionally, our conception of cloud – or Internet-based social solutions has existed in the digital world. We send emails, conduct video calls, or share social media posts. But our collective need to use resources efficiently and information effectively has led to innovations that also link objects to this network. The inclusion of sensors and actuators are turning everyday devices into smart objects. This interaction of smart objects with people through the Internet is called the Internet of Things or IoT.

It is not enough to simply have objects connected: they need to achieve something or provide value with that connection. Objects like heart monitors and cars that were once distinctly separate objects are now connected to a network through the cloud. Doctors benefit by being able to regularly track patients’ heart rates. Patients benefit from regular oversight and monitoring without frequent office visits. Cars connect to GPS and anti-theft systems providing valuable information and protection for consumers. It is this real-time automated transfer of information providing accurate and actionable information with little or no human intervention required that makes the Internet of Things instant and effortless.

The Internet of People (IoP) takes the Internet of Things mobile with personal electronics. Mobile phones, fitness wrist bands, Google glasses, and any devices worn or embedded in textile products with sensors that communicate via the Internet with a human interface fall under this classification. The Internet of People already runs on billions of devices.

 

Both the Internet of Things and the Internet of People make big promises to benefit and enrich the lives of people. Despite claims that technology is making us more isolated and less communicative, we are actually at an exciting point for social networking and ubiquitous connectivity.

Connecting People with the World Around Them

We believe that technology and social connectivity should be seamless which is why we provide instant and effortless access with technology that builds meaningful relationships. Relationships with our friends, families, colleagues, customers, and suppliers as well as with the environment around us.

In today’s world, networking is essential for success and oftentimes happiness. We want to meet the right people, however, networking is not as easy as walking up to a person and saying “Hello.” We have created a phone-to-phone technology that allows users to view social profiles of people nearby, so we can discern who matches our aims and goals. Whether we are looking for a business partner or searching for love, it is no longer a game of chance where we hope to stumble across somebody compatible. Our application facilitates connections so people never miss an opportunity to meet someone new.

The Evolution 

We all want the advantages of technical convenience without giving up control over the information we share. As the concepts of the Internet of Things and the Internet of People evolve, so do the demands and wishes of the users. Ubiquitous computing brings with it intrusive privacy concerns. We will connect, but we will also retain our autonomy and privacy.

The Social Internet of Things connects objects and people into networks defined and managed by the user. Such networks create a technological interface between people and both the physical and virtual world. This helps them to find resources, obtain contextual information, and become visible.

In a Social Internet of Things world, individuals define the parameters to take control of their privacy. Yet, humans and things operate as equals and can request or provide information while maintaining their individuality.

Our app is an excellent example of Social Internet of Things technology. It combines socially relevant technologies into a platform that not only offers people-to-people connections, but also seamlessly interacts with sensors in the environment. We carry our mobile phones with us every day. Your mobile phone can now give you more access to the experiences you want.

The possibilities of inter-connectivity are captivating. On an intimate level, its potential for elevating our personal interactions by improving the ways in which we interact with the everyday things that impact our lives is worthy of excitement.

Events like conferences and festivals are places where we socialize. We attend to experience or learn something new and meet new people. Events are where we come together for either personal or professional engagement. But now we can also interact with the environment as well.

The Social Internet of Things is redefining our event experience. Cutting edge technology is ushering in a new era. Mobile innovation is enhancing the experience. Not only can attendees find and meet the right people with apps such as MeetVibe, but event organizers can offer additional advantages by incorporating physical beacons onsite as well.

People attending can receive welcome messages as they arrive with links to event mapping and schedules sent directly to their mobile phones. With beacons you do not need to buy exhibition headphones to learn more about each item. Instead, the information can be directly broadcast to attendees’ mobile phones as they approach an item. Festival organizers can also encourage attendees to explore less popular areas of a show by offering rewards or games that direct traffic.

The opportunities for interaction and engagement are vast

Today, presentations need to be more interactive than ever. But this communication requires an interface and getting to that interface is often a slow process. Instead of posting a link on a screen for audience members to type into their mobile phones, the presenter can send everyone in the audience a link making the process instant and effortless. No delays, no interruptions. A simple click and go.

Presenters can also avoid being overwhelmed with administrative email requests for presentation slides after the show by automatically delivering a link to slide decks, websites, contact information, or e-books. Beaconing technology enables this type of instant communication, while the Social Internet of Things technology allows people to control if and when they choose to interact.

Mobile social networking platforms create an environment for this social interaction. Each event organizer does not need to create their own mobile app. And attendees do not need to download an app for each event. Instead attendees simply join events and start networking.

Event organizers are engaging and building meaningful relationships with their attendees by including Social Internet of Things technology. The brilliance is in its consideration of all the factors that affect inter-connectivity – humans, objects, and information alike.

The Social Internet of Things is technology that enhances social connectivity, enabling  a new way of engaging one another and building meaningful relationships with the world around us. Our app provides instant access to discovery, connectivity, and scheduling.

 

The article was written by Carol Aebi, MBA and Mircea Baldean, MBA. Originally published here.