Steve Sanderson’s blog - As seen on YouTube™ HTML5 Rocks - A resource for open web HTML5 developers. Clemens Vasters. There is good reason to be worried about the "Internet of Things" on current course and trajectory. Both the IT industry as well as manufacturers of "smart products" seem to look at connected special-purpose devices and sensors as a mere variation of the information technology assets like servers, PCs, tablets, or phones. That stance is problematic as it neglects important differences between the kinds of interactions that we're having with a phone or PC, and the interactions we're having with a special-purpose devices like a gas valve, a water heater, a glass-break sensor, a vehicle immobilizer, or a key fob.
Before I get to a proposal for how to address the differences, let's take a look at the state of things on the Web and elsewhere. Information Devices PCs, phones, and tablets are primarily interactive information devices. People can, for the most part, tell when something is grossly silly and/or could even put them into a dangerous situation. Special-Purpose Devices. Channel 9: Videos about the people building Microsoft Products & Services. IDesign: Excellence. Professional Growth. Leadership. MIX Online. Smashing UX Design — Usability, Psychology and Information Architecture. Online Web Tutorials.