# Discussion thread for the "Polls only" thread (Part 2) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 16, 2024, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636 "2024-02-16T02:56:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 488
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9743 "2026-01-02T13:56:02Z")
I’m at the age now where I have to wear compression socks, so it’s usually sock-sock pants shoe-shoe. ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9744 "2026-01-02T14:15:18Z")
5 smart outlets (4 lights, 1 humidifier) 3 smart appliances (I really like the convenience of knowing that the washer or dryer is done, even if I am outside) 4 smart sensors (1 of which is used to tell the smart outlet for the humidifier to turn on/off) Didn’t count phones, tablets, computers. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9745 "2026-01-02T14:15:49Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > it’s usually sock-sock pants shoe-shoe. Maybe you should start a cardio exercise program so you’re not so out of breath after putting on your socks. 🤪 ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9746 "2026-01-02T15:51:26Z")
As for the ‘internet of things’ poll, the Mrs. and I have 6 in total in our homes. Our 2 phones, her iPad and laptop, my desktop, and a printer. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9747 "2026-01-02T17:07:11Z")
I understand all four words, but the colon confuses me. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9748 "2026-01-02T20:50:51Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > As for the ‘internet of things’ poll, the Mrs. and I have 6 in total in our homes. Our 2 phones, her iPad and laptop, my desktop, and a printer. I sense there is some confusion as to what the “Internet of Things” is. Laptops, tablets, and phones are _not_ part of the IOT. Those are just the regular internet, the Internet of Humans if you will. The Internet of Things consists of devices that are connected to the internet, but that we humans do not use to “go online” with. For example, my thermostat is connected to the internet, but I don’t use my thermostat to access the Straight Dope. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9749 "2026-01-02T20:52:22Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Our 2 phones, her iPad and laptop, my desktop, and a printer. I forgot the printer. > [@WildaBeast](#): > > I sense there is some confusion as to what the “Internet of Things” is. Laptops, tablets, and phones are _not_ part of the IOT. Those are just the regular internet, the Internet of Humans if you will. Okay, then, that answers my question- thus we have exactly Zero IOT things. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9750 "2026-01-02T20:56:12Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > thus we have exactly Zero IOT things. You might have at least one – you just mentioned your printer earlier in this post. If your printer is connected to the internet and can do things like download firmware updates and/or you can send print jobs to it remotely when you’re away from home, then it’s part of the IOT. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9751 "2026-01-02T21:02:16Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > You might have at least one – you just mentioned your printer earlier in this post. If your printer is connected to the internet and can do things like download firmware updates and/or you can send print jobs to it remotely when you’re away from home, then it’s part of the IOT. All those things are possible, but I have never done them, and my printer is old. Not to mention, it is just connected to the wifi, ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9752 "2026-01-02T21:04:48Z")
This is why I didn’t answer the poll. I have a lot of IOT devices and probably more I don’t remember or realize. My ADT security system, for example has an app that lets me look at cameras and arm and disarm (and a lot of other things). Printers (2), refrigerators (3 of which are wifi enabled), thermostats (3), garage doors (4), and Sonos (does that court?) And we have Alexa devices in several rooms that connect to various lights (is that one or many)? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9753 "2026-01-02T21:09:06Z")
We have six Internet of Things things: - Three Amazon Echo speakers - Two smart bulbs (in rooms where it’s inconvenient to get to the lamp/switch) - One wireless computer printer ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9754 "2026-01-02T21:19:11Z")
I have no IOT things, though the HVAC and appliance guys always want to push it. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9755 "2026-01-02T22:00:45Z")
I am still unclear on what is and what is not an IOT. Amazon Echo? Apple watch? Bluetooth headphones? Smart TV? Ring doorbell? Robot vacuum? Cable TV box? Digital camera with WiFi? mmm ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9756 "2026-01-03T08:37:38Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > If your printer is connected to the internet and can do things like download firmware updates and/or you can send print jobs to it remotely when you’re away from home, then it’s part of the IOT. Have to check if I can print remotely. We recently moved it and now it seems to have forgotten some of its identity. It does download firmware updates, when one of us presses the button on the printer to tell it to do so. > [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I am still unclear on what is and what is not an IOT. I also find the definition to be unclear. Probably needs another poll. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 8:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9757 "2026-01-03T08:42:25Z")
I am an outlier on the IoT devices: 2 Alexa Dots, One Echo Show, One Echo Flex + Nightlight, Five Smart Bulbs or sockets, One IoT printer, One Roomba (IoT cleaning robot), One IoT Litter Robot for Cats, One Car + One SUV (wife) with connectivity. I use Alexa frequently (voice service) and Google more rarely (mostly in car), and Siri not at all _at this time_ as I don’t currently use an iPhone though I go back and forth between the two main phone OS. A partial + 1 would be my smartwatch but WearOS is VERY inconsistent about digital assistants working. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9758 "2026-01-03T12:34:37Z")
The spouse like gadgets so we have four lights around the house on IOT smart outlets, plus another four for the Christmas lights when they’re up. Also we have three Echos and a Dot. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9759 "2026-01-03T13:43:40Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I am still unclear on what is and what is not an IOT. The way I understand it, if you can use an app on your phone to control some other device, that other device is part if the Internet of Things. But I am not at all sure that’s a solid definition. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9760 "2026-01-03T14:28:52Z")
Not sure that can be right. I have a gadget ([Travel Sax](https://sax.co.uk/products/travelsax2)) which I control using an app on my smartphone, but it uses bluetooth and goes nowhere near the internet. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9761 "2026-01-03T16:33:54Z")
Similarly, my robo vacuum and my Bluetooth headphones. How about diabetes-management tools? Insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors? CPAPs? mmm ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2026, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/9762 "2026-01-04T23:03:46Z")
> Regardless of your answer above, search your memory for past years that fit the question. As far as you recall, how did such years usually turn out, in your opinion? The one year I could think of that fits happened to be 2020. In January 2020 my water heater broke and needed replacement. Then the following month my garage door broke. And I thought “Man, 2020 isn’t starting out as a very good year”. And then we all remember how the rest of that year went. It was probably a fluke, but I had to vote that the rest of the year was just as bad as the initial event. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636.md?page=487) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636.md?page=489)