【明報專訊】Imagine your car can talk to your house. When you are almost home, your car will tell your house to switch on the lights, make you a drink, and get your favourite music ready to play. This is an example of an idea called the "Internet of Things" (IoT, 物聯網).

The IoT is the extension of Internet connectivity into physical devices and everyday objects. It enables various interconnected devices to generate, exchange and consume data with minimal human intervention. For example, IoT sensors can be installed in waste bins to monitor and evaluate their usage level for efficient waste management.

The IoT makes our lives easier and more convenient, but there are also security and privacy concerns. It is important to secure the interconnected devices to prevent hackers from accessing our personal data and harm our safety.

sources: Ming Pao, www.ofca.gov.hk

■English highway﹕inter-

inter- = between or involving two or more different things, places or people.

e.g. There is a total of 22 schools joining the inter-school athletics competition.

■Game

While separating the egg yolks and the egg white for making the cake, Pat and MoMo find an interesting question written on a memo. Do you know the answer?

“ MoMo: Which one is correct - "The yolk of the egg is white" or "The yolk of the egg are white" ? ”

■Quiz

1. What is the full name of the IoT?　＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

2. The IoT needs a high degree of human intervention.

True / False

3. The IoT can help imporve the efficiency of our daily lives.

True / False

(Answers on next text)

■Glossary

extension (n) 擴展

minimal (adj) 最小的

intervention (n) 干涉

sensor (n) 感應器

[Smarties' Power English 第248期]