What is the internet of things and why does it matter? The internet of things (or loT) isn't new: companies and pundits have been discussing the idea for decades, and the first internet-connected toaster was unveiled at a conference in 1989. At its core, loT is simple: it's about connecting devices over the internet, letting them talk to us, applications, and each other. The popular example is the smart fridge: what if your fridge could tell you it was out of milk, texting you if its internal cameras saw there was none left, or that the carton was past its use-by date?