News

Internet Of Things(IoT)! What does it mean?

Published

7 years ago

May 8, 2017

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The term IoT encompasses everything connected to the internet, but it is increasingly being used to define objects that “talk” to each other. Simply, the Internet of Things is made up of devices – from simple sensors to smartphones and wearables – connected together.

When these connected devices are combined with automated systems, it is possible to “gather information, analyse it and create an action” to help someone with a particular task, or learn from a process.

IoT allows devices on closed private internet connections to communicate with others and “the Internet of Things brings those networks together. It gives the opportunity for devices to communicate not only within close silos but across different networking types and creates a much more connected world.”

Why do connected devices need to share data?

An argument has been raised that only because something can be connected to the internet doesn’t mean it should be, but each device collects data for a specific purpose that may be useful to a buyer and impact the wider economy.

Within industrial applications, sensors on product lines can increase efficiency and cut down on waste. One study estimates 35 per cent of US manufacturers are using data from smart sensors within their set-ups.

“IoT offers us opportunity to be more efficient in how we do things, saving us time, money and often emissions in the process,” Evans said. It allows companies, governments and public authorities to re-think how they deliver services and produce goods.

“The quality and scope of the data across the Internet of Things generates an opportunity for much more contextualised and responsive interactions with devices to create a potential for change,” continued Gorski. IoT “doesn’t stop at a screen”.

Where does the IoT go next?

Even those who have purchased one of the myriad smart home products – from lightbulbs, switches, to motion sensors – will attest to the fact IoT is in its infancy.

Products don’t always easily connect to each other and there are significant security issues that need to be addressed.

A report from Samsung says the need to secure every connected device by 2020 is “critical”. The firm’s Open Economy document says “there is a very clear danger that technology is running ahead of the game”. The firm said more than 7.3 billion devices will need to be made secure by their manufacturers in the next three years.

“We are looking at a future in which companies will indulge in digital Darwinism, using IoT, AI and machine learning to rapidly evolve in a way we’ve never seen before,” Brian Solis, from Altimeter Group, who helped on the research said.

IoT botnets, created using a network of out-of-date devices recently took large websites and services offline. A Chinese firm later recalled 4.3 million unsecured connected cameras.

At the centre of creating a vast, reliable IoT network lies one significant issue: compatible standards. Connected objects need to be able to speak to each other to transfer data and share what they are recording. If they all run on different standards, they struggle to communicate and share. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Standards Association lists a huge number of standards being developed and worked on for different applications.

“Additional needs are emerging for standardisation,” the Internet Society says. If standardisation happens it will let more devices and applications be connected.

To try and tackle this issue on an enterprise scale, Microsoft has introduced its own system for IoT devices. Called IoT Central, TechCrunch, reports the system gives businesses a managed central platform for setting up IoT devices. Microsoft claims the system will simply the creation of IoT networks.

Gorski described IoT, even among those with the most experience of the concept, as a “relatively immature market” but said 2016 may have been a turning point. The Hypercat standard is now supported by ARM, Intel, Amey, Bae Systems and Accenture and the firms are currently agreeing on a format for “exposing collections” of URLs, for example.

“In the short term, we know [IoT] will impact on anything where there is a high cost of not intervening,” Evans said. “And it’ll be for simpler day-to-day issues – like finding a car parking space in busy areas, linking up your home entertainment system and using your fridge webcam to check if you need more milk on the way home.

“Ultimately what makes it exciting is that we don’t yet know the exact use cases and just that it has the potential to have a major impact on our lives.”

News

Unlimited Internet for Ghana: Starlink’s Satellite-Based Solution Now Available!

Published

2 months ago

August 28, 2024

Henri Allotey

Reading Time: 2 minutes

TLDR;

Starlink has officially launched in Ghana, allowing users to purchase a kit directly from their website for Gh¢5604.00 (hardware and shipping) and Gh¢770.00/month (unlimited internet).
The service aims to provide connectivity to underserved areas, such as remote communities, farms, and offshore rigs, rather than replacing existing urban infrastructure.
Starlink’s presence in Ghana is expected to drive competition, prompting local telcos and ISPs to offer better internet deals, and potentially leading to more accessible and affordable connectivity solutions in the future.

After months of waiting and constantly refreshing the Stalink availability map, they have finally officially commenced operations in Ghana, They sent out emails to all those who signed up for their pre-order when they first made announcements of planning to set up operations in Ghana.

You can now go to their official website to get a kit and ship it directly to your house without going through any third party or middleman.

The official cost on their website is ¢770.00 a month for internet connectivity, which will be unlimited, and Gh¢5604.00 for Hardware and shipping.

For most people, paying ¢770.00 a month for unlimited internet is a really good deal, but they won’t take a step towards getting it because of the cost of the kit. But STARLINK is primarily meant to provide “CONNECTIVITY WHERE YOU LEAST EXPECT IT” and not to replace Fibre and broadband options in the major cities or become that ubiquitous.

It is not their goal that every household should have a Starlink kit installed. But rather a lot of places where connectivity is & has been a major challenge up until now, get that solution. (ie. Remote areas, hinterlands, farms, on ships & boats, offshore rigs, mines & construction sites, etc)

However, they know how good the technology & solution are such that there’s increased demand and people would want to scale it up/utilize it by diversifying into other connectivity solutions; which might be more accessible or affordable for more people.

News

THE STARS ALIGN FOR STARLINK TO FINALLY COME TO GHANA.

Published

2 months ago

August 23, 2024

Eugine A.

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Starlink, the satellite internet company founded by Elon Musk, has received authorization from Ghana’s National Communications Authority (NCA) to start operations by the end of August 2024. This approval comes after several months of discussions between the NCA and SpaceX, Starlink’s parent company, primarily due to licensing and regulatory hurdles.

This milestone is viewed as a major boost for Ghana’s technological progress, given Starlink’s reputation for reliability across 102 countries.

Starlink operates using a network of low-Earth-orbit satellites that communicate with one another and with ground stations to provide high-speed, low-latency internet. This technology is well-suited for enhancing connectivity for both individuals and businesses.

Could the arrival of such a major international ISP see the local ISPs rise to the occasion, potentially leading to more innovative solutions and advancements in the sector or, would it simply blow them out of the water?

News

OpenAI Grants Early Access to US AI Safety Institute and Reaffirms Commitment to Safety Resource!

Published

3 months ago

August 2, 2024

Eugine A.

Reading Time: < 1 minute

TLDR;

OpenAI will provide the US AI Safety Institute early access to its upcoming safety test, aiming to collaborate on improving AI evaluation methods.
OpenAI is dedicating at least 20% of its computing resources to safety initiatives, following the dissolution of its Superalignment team, though a release date for the safety test is not yet specified.
In response to recent criticisms, OpenAI has taken steps to enhance transparency, including removing non-disparagement clauses for employees and making efforts to improve internal practices.

OpenAI has announced that it will grant the US AI Safety Institute early access to its upcoming safety test, as detailed in a tweet by OpenAI founder Sam Altman on X.

Altman explained that the aim of this early access is to collaborate on advancing the science of AI evaluations.

In the same post, Altman also emphasised OpenAI’s commitment to dedicating at least 20% of its computing resources to safety initiatives. This commitment was intended to be executed by the now-dissolved Superalignment team, which was co-led by Jan Leike, Head of Alignment, and Ilya Sutskever, co-founder and Chief Scientist of OpenAI. However, a specific release date for the safety test has yet to be announced.

Addressing recent criticisms, Altman suggested that OpenAI has taken meaningful steps to enhance transparency as part of its safety measures.

He noted, “In May, we eliminated non-disparagement clauses for both current and former employees and removed provisions that allowed OpenAI—though they were never used—to cancel vested equity. We’ve made significant efforts to rectify these issues and improve our practices.”