The internet is a wondrous place full of wondrous things. Internet technology began as a backup measure should the American phone service be destroyed by an attack. It eventually led to the advent of TCP/IP in the 1970s, and then Tim Berners-Lee’s World Wide Web took hold.
The internet is completely different nowadays; its commercial, entertainment and productive uses can never really be realised. But what are the top inventions that are having a massive effect on, or have been greatly affected by, the internet today as we know it?
Social media
Social Media is definitely the elephant in the room. Social media networks are one of the fastest growing industries in the world, and they are proving to be an entirely new area of communication and information consumption to entwine. At the moment, Facebook is the third most visited site in the world, with over two billion monthly users. To businesses, social media integration really matters, and as a result business and the internet is slowly beginning to revolve and social media, which is, in turn, changing to suit the needs of its users
Video games
Video games are a hobby that in 2017 largely revolves around the internet. Multiplayer games are becoming the norm and the most common way for multiple gamers to play together is over the internet. This has led to the creation of many services to accommodate a smoother experience. Voice chat programs like Discord, TeamSpeak or even Skype have popped up everywhere. Online forums and social media are growing around video games and distribution sites like Steam or EA Origin are flourishing, backed by large and enthusiastic communities.
Live streaming
Live streaming has created a big splash in the internet’s metaphorical pool. Filming and displaying activities live to an audience over the internet has become incredibly popular and has worked its way into the userbases of both social media and video games. Social media sites like Facebook and YouTube support live streaming of video content in addition to pre-recorded video, while gaming orientated sites like Twitch and Steam also support streaming. Many other industries are also making use of this tech, with online casinos offering services like live roulette games and eSports brands allowing fans to view tournaments in real time online. As live streaming continues to grow in popularity it will continue to shape how content is produced and distributed over the internet.
Internet of Things (IoT)
The Internet of Things is the next big direction for advancements in the internet and technology. The Internet of things (or IoT) is a growing base of items which are connected to the internet. You can install these items and manipulate them over the web through an app on your phone or computer. The IoT can feature anything from thermostats and lights to pet entertainment systems and security drones! The possibilities really are endless.
The internet is a constantly growing organism. As its userbase adapts and finds new ways to interact with it, and through it with each other, new mediums and creations will soon find their way into the world. Keep an eye on these as they develop, as they are changing for and with the internet at a fast and fascinating rate.
