tech world

What is the IoT? Everything you need to know about the Internet of Things right now   What is the Internet of Things? The Internet of Things, or IoT, refers to the billions of physical devices around the world that are now connected to the internet, all collecting and sharing data. Thanks to the arrival of super-cheap computer chips and the ubiquity of wireless networks, it's possible to turn anything, from something as small as  a pill  to something as big as  an aeroplane , into a part of the IoT. Connecting up all these different objects and adding sensors to them adds a level of digital intelligence to devices that would be otherwise dumb, enabling them to communicate real-time data without involving a human being. The Internet of Things is making the fabric of the world around us more smarter and more responsive, merging the digital and physical universes. What is the history of the Internet of Things? The idea of adding sensors and intelligence to basic objects...

           Chatbot   Chatbots are software applications that use artificial intelligence & natural language processing to understand what a human wants, and guides them to their desired outcome with as little work for the end user as possible. Like a virtual assistant for your customer experience touchpoints. A well designed & built chatbot will: Use existing conversation data (if available) to  understand  the type of questions people ask. Analyze  correct answers to those questions through a ‘training’ period. Use machine learning & NLP to  learn  context, and continually get better at answering those questions in the future. The adoption of chatbots was accelerated in 2016 when Facebook opened up its developer platform and showed the world what is possible with chatbots through their Messenger app. Google also got in the game soon after with Google Assistant. Since then there have been a tremendous amount of chat...

What Is Cloud Computing? The 'cloud' is a real buzzword, but what is it, how does it impact what you do, and is it anything really new?   What is the cloud? Where is the cloud? Are we in the cloud   right now ? These are all questions you've probably heard or even asked yourself. The term "cloud computing" is everywhere. In the simplest terms, cloud computing means storing and accessing data and programs over the internet instead of your computer's hard drive. (The PCMag Encyclopedia  defines it  succinctly as "hardware and software services from a provider on the internet.") Ultimately, the "cloud" is just a metaphor for the internet. It goes back to the days of flowcharts and presentations that would represent the gigantic server-farm infrastructure of the internet as nothing but a  puffy cloud , accepting connections and doling out information as it floats. (Image: Wikimedia Commons) What cloud computing is not about is your hard drive. ...

  What Is Cryptocurrency? Here’s What You Should Know Cryptocurrencies let you buy goods and services, or trade them for profit. Here's more about what cryptocurrency is, how to buy it and how to protect yourself. 1. What is cryptocurrency? Cryptocurrency is a form of payment that can be exchanged online for goods and services. Many companies have issued their own currencies, often called tokens, and these can be traded specifically for the good or service that the company provides. Think of them as you would arcade tokens or casino chips. You’ll need to exchange real currency for the cryptocurrency to access the good or service. Cryptocurrencies work using a technology called blockchain. Blockchain is a decentralized technology spread across many computers that manages and records transactions. Part of the appeal of this technology is its security. 2. How many cryptocurrencies are there? What are they worth? More than 6,700 different cryptocurrencies are traded publicly, acco...