CSA Online by Andrew Moore-Crispin The Internet ofThings. If you haven’t already read or heard that phrase in the media, you certainly will. I mean, I hate to be ‘that guy,’ but you just did. The Internet of Things (IoT) is nebulous and constantly evolving but, if you boil the concept down, it’s about bringing the connective and communicative power of the internet to the things which we use everyday. We’re not talking about slapping screens onto stuff, giving it the ability to browse the web. That’s the old school of thought. The Internet of Things is passive technology. It doesn’t constantly vie for our attention in the same way as does a lot of the tech which we use. The IoT is about getting everyday items on the network. It’s about sending data over the network and, inmany cases, it’s about receiving and acting on data that’s sent back, too. The temperature in your home has dropped below 14°C. You know this, because your thermostat e-mailed to say as much. That’s the Internet of Things in action. A slightly more esoteric, but no less realistic example ‒ your houseplant needs water. You know, because the hydrometer inserted into the pot has pinged you on your phone or tablet. That’s the Internet ofThings in action, too. The Internet of Things is about data. The power of the Internet of Things is revealed in what we do with that data. This issue, we’ll look at a few products that use Internet of Things principles to answer some concerns which a Snowbirdmight have. Basically, this is tech that keeps an eye on things back home to give you a little peace of mind when you’re away. Next issue, we’ll take a closer look at some online tools that let you take things to the next level, creating a smart little ecosystem of things which do exactly what you want them to, exactly when you want. So, without further ado: The Internet of Everything A repair person, a neighbour or friend, maybe even an AirBnB guest ‒ you might need to give someone access to your home when you’re not there. You would probably rather not share the location of your hidden emergency spare key, however. The second-generation Kwikset Kevo takes physical keys andmuch of the uncertainty out of the equation. Kevo allows anyone you choose to have a virtual “key” to your home. Send keys via e-mail, text message or through whatever means you choose. Keys can have time-based rules applied. This is particularly handy for things such as cleaning services or scheduled installations. The homeowner can even set an automatic expiry date on any key which they create, such that a virtual key-holder won’t be able to access your home before or after a given day and time. You can activate or deactivate “keys” from anywhere you have an internet connection, and people can accept a key on any mobile device with a Bluetooth connection. When someone with a virtual key approaches, Kevo connects via Bluetooth and checks if the key is valid. If so, the deadbolt slides back with just a touch of the lock. If not, well, that person is not getting in the front door. Kevo still offers physical keys and even Bluetooth LE key fobs, which means that you don’t necessarily have to have your phone on hand in order to unlock the door. USE CASE: A neighbour needs access to your home to check in, water the plants, whatever. Rather than giving them a physical key, Kevo uses the Bluetooth connection on their phone to recognize who it is, checks the rules for that person’s entry (if set) and unlocks the door. No hidden keys required. Kwikset Kevo US$229 48 | www.snowbirds.org
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