Ever wondered how seamlessly all of Apple’s devices work together? I especially love how I can copy a photo or a text on my iPhone and paste it straight to a document on my Mac. Or how a screenshot taken on my Apple Watch automatically shows up on my Photos in my iPhone.
Well, it is the magic of IoT. What is IoT? In simple terms, the Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of devices connected via the Internet that share data. Almost all devices we have around us these days, including smartwatches, wearables, smart home security systems, and many more, are IoT devices, including the Apple Watch on your wrist.
What is an IOT Device?
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a system of interconnected items—such as computers, sensors, and software that make sharing data transfer between these devices efficient via the Internet. IoT devices range from smartwatches to Bluetooth-powered sound systems.
These devices collect through sensors such as changes in movement or temperature. This data is then transmitted through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or Cellular connectivity to the cloud, fully enabling remote automation and control.
What Makes Apple Watch an IoT Device?
The Apple Watch is an IoT device because it is a core part of the Apple ecosystem that transfers data within their devices. Why the Apple Watch is called an IoT device is because:
1. Connectivity
We all know that the Apple Watch uses Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Cellular connection as its source of connectivity. This is how the screenshot I take on my Apple Watch shows up on my iPhone Photos album and how I can track all of my health data that is collected by the watch during a workout session or even while sleeping via the Health app on my iPhone.
Be it payments made via Apple Pay using my watch or tracking my step count- the connectivity factor of the Apple Watch being an IoT device is how the data transfers to my iPhone.
2. Sensors and Data Collection
Another feature of IoT devices is that they include sensors. The Apple Watch has various sensors which collect data and transfer the same to the iPhone. These sensors are:
- Electrical heart sensor
- Third‑generation optical heart sensor
- Temperature sensor
- Blood Oxygen sensor
- Compass
- Always‑on altimeter
- High‑g accelerometer
- High dynamic range gyroscope
- Ambient light sensor
- Depth gauge
- Water temperature sensor
3. Integration with Other IoT Systems
The health data collected by the sensors is transferred and synced to the Health app on the iPhone, and the activity data is synced with the Fitness app. The Apple Watch also works with controlling devices installed around my home, such as surveillance cameras, lights, TV remotes, and more.
The Apple Watch also works with AirPods and iPhone to play my music and supports Apple Pay for tap to pay at compatible POS.
4. Siri
Siri is one of the easiest ways one could identify the Apple Watch as an IoT device. Using Siri lets me go hands free in controlling almost everything on my Apple Watch. Be it playing a different song, turning off the lights in my bedroom, and even sending messages and making phone calls.
5. iCloud
iCloud lets me back up my data on the internet automatically. This is useful if I accidentally lose all my data or even my devices. Be it my health and fitness data, photos, notes, messages or contacts, everything is synced to my iCloud automatically. This level of connectivity helps me switch from one device to another very easily, and all this makes Apple IoT devices.
Wrap Up
The seamless Apple ecosystem that we all love and admire is because of the magic of the Internet of Things (IoT). What I believe is next for the Apple Watch is an integration of Apple Intelligence since Apple has already started using it for their devices, such as the iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
