From firefighters to retailers: IoT things outside the home
Smartlocks, alarms and lighting are one thing, but the biggest IoT revolution could happen outside the home


As I mentioned earlier when covering the Tiny Connected Home, Intel is betting big on the Internet of Things (IoT). With technology that tracks vitals becoming so cheap, one of the biggest barriers to mass adoption now is our own creativity. You'll quite frequently hear IoT-style devices discussed in vague terms with specifics pretty light on the ground: so much data can be quite intimidating.
But at Intel's IoT day in San Francisco, there were a number of simple real-world case studies on hand to demonstrate the potential. Here are some of the most memorable.
Keeping firefighters safe and accounted for
Get the ITPro daily newsletter
Sign up today and you will receive a free copy of our Future Focus 2025 report - the leading guidance on AI, cybersecurity and other IT challenges as per 700+ senior executives
After a false career start producing flash games, Alan Martin has been writing about phones, wearables and internet culture for over a decade with bylines all over the web and print.
Previously Deputy Editor of Alphr, he turned freelance in 2018 and his words can now be found all over the web, on the likes of Tom's Guide, The i, TechRadar, NME, Gizmodo, Coach, T3, The New Statesman and ShortList, as well as in the odd magazine and newspaper.
He's rarely seen not wearing at least one smartwatch, can talk your ear off about political biographies, and is a long-suffering fan of Derby County FC (which, on balance, he'd rather not talk about). He lives in London, right at the bottom of the Northern Line, long after you think it ends.
You can find Alan tweeting at @alan_p_martin, or email him at mralanpmartin@gmail.com.
-
What to look out for at RSAC Conference 2025
Analysis Convincing attendees that AI can revolutionize security will be the first point of order at next week’s RSA Conference – but traditional threats will be a constant undercurrent
By Rory Bathgate
-
Ransomware attacks are rising — but quiet payouts could mean there's more than actually reported
News Ransomware attacks continue to climb, but they may be even higher than official figures show as companies choose to quietly pay to make such incidents go away.
By Nicole Kobie