Integrating WordPress with the Internet of Things

Key Points

• The Internet of Things (IoT) is a revolutionary concept that connects various devices through the Internet. These devices, also known as “smart” devices, range from household appliances to medical devices, can communicate with each other and with us, thereby optimizing all aspects of our lives.
• WordPress can be integrated with the Internet of Things to create a sensor-to-machine relationship that increases productivity, process efficiency, and analyzes data without the need for additional complex machines. This integration allows websites to communicate with devices, making them IoT smart devices.
• Some services, such as littleBits, IFTTT, and Particle, allow website administrators to connect real-world devices to their WordPress websites. These services are able to create new devices, establish simple "if-then" connections to applications and real-world products, and transition from prototype to production when building IoT products.
• The WordPress REST API facilitates device-to-device communication with open source APIs and protocols, making it easier to integrate Internet-enabled devices with WordPress. This allows web developers to establish direct communication paths to transmit and receive data.
• Examples of IoT and WordPress integration in the real world include wpForGlass (a plugin that allows users to publish directly from Google Glass to WordPress websites) and Nike (a health-focused plugin that tracks and displays running progress on the website) .

This week is SitePoint's IoT Week! We've been publishing articles about the intersection of the Internet and the physical world throughout the week, so stay tuned to the IoT tag for the latest updates.

After e-commerce and social media, the next big thing has come—the internet-enabled device, known as the “Internet of Things,” and WordPress is ready to embrace it.

This revolutionary paradigm shift will transform every aspect of our lives, from optimizing our homes to how we travel. Although the Internet of Things has entered the world of home automation, its integration with WordPress has not yet fully gained popularity.

The Internet of Things creates value by collecting data and utilizing it in real time. WordPress and the Internet of Things can work together in a sensor-to-machine relationship (WordPress as a sensor) to increase productivity, increase process efficiency, and analyze data without the need to use additional complex machines. With that in mind, in this post, we will look at the Internet of Things from a WordPress perspective and how it will allow our website to communicate with devices to make IoT smarter WordPress.

Before we start, let's put everything in context.

Overview of the Internet of Things

In short, the Internet of Things (IoT) is about connecting various devices through the Internet. The term "Internet of Things" itself refers to the concept of a set of Internet-enabled devices that are intelligent, connected, interactive and autonomous.

The Internet of Things is about connecting internet-enabled devices that pass information back to us, to cloud-based applications, and between each other (device to device). These "smart" devices can be anything from cell phones, refrigerators, washing machines to wearables, medical devices or jet engines. – TechWorld

When we talk about IoT devices, the most common examples are home automation devices such as light bulbs, refrigerators, toasters and espresso machines. However, the impact of the Internet of Things is also evident in smart cities and agriculture. Smart devices connect to the outside world via wireless connections, which can be established via Wi-Fi, RFID, NFC, or even Bluetooth.

Brief History

Kevin Ashton is often considered the inventor of the term "Internet of Things". Although we have only heard the word in the last decade or so, the concept first originated in the 1970s and is known as Popular Computing or Embedded Internet. After many attempts, the Internet of Things has finally gotten rid of all the hype and entered today's modern technology infrastructure. However, it was initially developed with the first internet-enabled device created by John Romkey in 1990, a year after the birth of the World Wide Web—Internet toaster.

The first IoT device was created a year before the birth of the first web page!

According to IoT Analytics, Ashton gave this revolutionary phenomenon in 1999 the term Internet of Things aims to promote RFID technology. The Internet of Things has grown rapidly over the past few years, thanks in part to cloud computing. If you want to learn more about how the Internet of Things started and how it went, check out this timeline article by Postscapes: A Brief History of the Internet of Things.

How big is the Internet of Things?

You may have heard of

"The Internet of Things is much bigger than you realize". But how big is it?

IDC predicts that the IoT market will exceed $3 trillion by 2020.
According to Gartner, a typical home could contain nearly 500 internet-enabled devices by 2022.
According to Business Insider, 24 billion IoT devices are expected to be connected to the internet by 2020, and more than 10 billion traditional computing devices such as smartphones, tablets and desktop computers.

Make the Internet of Things to be WordPress Intelligent

The Internet of Things has made great progress in almost all industries, with connected devices ranging from light bulbs to espresso machines, from indoor heating to livestock. Its application in WordPress can finally be implemented through various implementations. One of these technologies is the WP REST API, which makes integration of the Internet of Things with WordPress infinitely easy. We have introduced the WordPress REST API on SitePoint before. Those who are interested can check it out:

• WP API – Using WordPress REST API
• WordPress JSON REST API

"As billions of devices communicate with each other in the wild, the future of networks will obviously rely heavily on having clear protocols and available open APIs to facilitate this communication - which is exactly what the REST API is designed to do." – Tom Ewer, WPMU DEV

WP REST API, combined with WordPress’s established plug-in ecosystem, is basically designed to allow real-world devices to connect to WordPress over the internet, which in turn allows WordPress users to connect to real-world devices.

The outstanding implementation of the Internet of Things in WordPress

Combining WordPress with popular automation services allows you to improve user experience and work hard to increase user engagement and interactivity. Here are some cases taken from RC Lations' WordCamp Maine:

• Professional bloggers can set a bell that will ring whenever you receive a new comment on a blog post or page to respond to readers immediately.
• Business owners can use IoT devices and WordPress, which lights up whenever a support ticket is received or replied to, to keep employees motivated and let employees know which team members have responded to the most tickets.
• Sign up how many sales you have completed in a given period and wave the flag when you reach your company's sales target.
• Set your website and if your website has downtime, you will be sent a mobile notification so you can correct the problem.

WordPress and popular services

Some different services allow webmasters to connect real-world devices to their WordPress websites. Webmasters can use these systems to integrate their websites with a variety of IoT devices. In this section, we will introduce four of these services and focus on the features they provide to users.

littleBits

littleBits are made up of electronic building blocks that can be used to invent various new devices and then connect them to the internet through the platform's own API.

littleBits creates an easy-to-use electronic building block platform that allows everyone to create inventions, big or small. – littleBits

Electronic building blocks are color-coded, which makes them very easy to use, magnetic, which makes them conveniently connected together and reusable, which means you can use a set of building blocks to create several different types of invention.

littleBits enables users to invent everything from smart home devices to remote-controlled cars and rotating rollers to graffiti wizards very easily. Currently, the littleBits library contains 60 modules that can be connected to other modules in millions of different combinations, so you will never run out of what you want to invent.

The best part about littleBits is that it enables users to create modular IoT devices very easily. Users can then automate or control these devices through littleBits’ built-in dashboard, or create custom integrations using littleBits’ API.

IFTTT

IFTTT (if so, then that) opens up many creative possibilities by enabling the inventors to establish simple "if-then" connections (what they call recipes) with applications and real-world products. Currently, there are two types of formulas – the DO formula and the IF formula.

Users can customize DO recipes to create buttons, cameras, and notepads, and then launch them with a simple click. The DO recipe must be explicitly started by the user, while the IF recipe runs automatically in the background. For example, a user can configure the recipe to:

If I post the image to Instagram, save the photo to Dropbox.

Currently, IFTTT is compatible with 321 channels, including WordPress, MailChimp, Workflow, Slack, littleBits, Particle and 13 different social networking platforms. Here is a complete list of channels for which you can create recipes using IFTTT.

IFTTT aggregates the channels of your choice in one place and then allows users to create recipes to integrate them to achieve their goals. Each recipe involves two web applications—one for starting a trigger and the other for performing a given action. IFTTT is very easy to get started with, and its intuitive interface allows users to create recipes even if they are not particularly proficient in programming. RC Lations has developed a littleBits plugin for WordPress to help webmasters get started with the platform.

WordPress enables website administrators to connect their websites, whether free or self-hosted, to IFTTT and use them as triggers or actions. Currently, the IFTTT-WordPress integration provides two triggers and two operations.

• Trigger: The first trigger, "any new post", is launched whenever a website administrator posts a new post on their blog. The second trigger, "New Posts with Tags or Category", does the same thing, but allows the webmaster to launch triggers only for a specific category or tag.
• Action: "Create Post" and "Create Photo Post" are actions that website administrators can use their website as a result of triggers. The former creates a simple post, while the latter creates a photo post and links the given URL to the image.

You can start using the IFTTT-WordPress integration by connecting the service to your blog. Be sure to check out these articles about using IFTTT with WordPress and how to use IFTTT to automate WordPress and social media.

Particle

Particle is a popular service that enables users to switch between prototypes and production and build IoT products. The service provides users with a cloud-connected hardware development kit that allows them to easily prototype.

Each product starts with a prototype. Our hardware development kits – Photon (Wi-Fi) and Electron (2G/3G cellular) – can help you build your first IoT prototype in minutes. – Particle

Particle's prominent feature is that the IoT devices you design are basically powered by a real-time, secure and scalable cloud platform. The service also provides a quality device management dashboard that allows you to control and manage your collection of products, deploy firmware updates, collect data, and integrate them with other services.

According to their website, the easiest way to get started with IoT products is with an open source development kit. Particle has this technology that allows users to create their own IoT devices that have preloaded firmware libraries and connected to the cloud.

Particle's SparkCore WordPress plugin enables website administrators to send requests directly to their Spark Cores by setting access tokens, core IDs, and API URLs.

These are some of the most popular services that allow WordPress users to integrate their website with IoT devices to provide more value.

IoT and WP REST API

The WordPress REST API allows users to integrate web applications and platforms with WordPress to build integrated systems, customized solutions, and IoT applications. Now, a portion of the WordPress REST API is incorporated into the WordPress core, which makes it easy to facilitate device-to-device communication using open source APIs and protocols.

The WordPress REST API perfectly adapts to this new era of integrating Internet-enabled devices with WordPress by allowing web developers to establish direct communication paths to transmit and receive data.

Internet of Things and WordPress in the Real World

wpForGlass

wpForGlass is the creative idea of ​​Weber Shandwick’s digital innovation team and is one of WordPress’s earliest IoT implementations, developed specifically for collaboration with Google Glass. This plugin allows webmasters to publish directly from their Google Glass to their WordPress website.

Be sure to check out this video, which illustrates how wpForGlass works.

The plugin works by using Google's Mirror API and allows users to post photos and videos taken with Google Glass directly to their blog. Setting up this plugin requires some technical knowledge to configure the relevant Google Mirror API.

Nike

Nike is a health-focused WordPress plugin that allows you to track your running process and then display it on your website – including widgets and shortcodes. This plugin is designed to be used with personal or team websites.

This plugin allows users to publish four different types of statistics:

• Personal Total
• Personal Record
• Running History
• Team Total

Although the plugin has not received updates in the past few years, Nike is one of the earliest IoT implementations developed for WordPress websites.

Summary

In the near future, most of our devices will be connected to the internet.

Popular services enable WordPress webmasters to start using the Internet of Things immediately. We encourage you to try it yourself and see which one is best for you.

What will you create using IoT-WordPress pairing? Please comment below to let us know!

FAQs (FAQ) about integrating WordPress with the Internet of Things (IoT)

What are the benefits of integrating WordPress with the Internet of Things?

Integrating WordPress with the Internet of Things can significantly enhance the functionality and user experience of your website. It allows real-time data collection and analysis, allowing you to provide personalized content and services to users. For example, you can use IoT devices to track user behavior and preferences and then use this data to adjust your website content accordingly. In addition, IoT integration can automate various tasks such as updating content, sending notifications, and managing user accounts, saving time and resources.

How to integrate WordPress with the Internet of Things?

There are several ways to integrate WordPress with the Internet of Things. One of the most common methods is to use plugins. There are a lot of IoT plugins for WordPress, such as MQTT Smart Home, which allows you to connect and control a variety of IoT devices from your website. Another approach is to use the API. Many IoT devices offer APIs that you can use to connect to your WordPress website. You can also use third-party services such as IFTTT to integrate your WordPress website with IoT devices.

What are the examples of WordPress and IoT integration?

There are many examples of WordPress and IoT integration. For example, you can use an IoT device to track users’ behavior on your website and then use this data to personalize your content. You can also use IoT devices to automate various tasks on your website, such as updating content, sending notifications, and managing user accounts. Additionally, you can use IoT devices to provide interactive features on your website, such as real-time weather updates, smart home controls, and more.

What are the challenges of integrating WordPress with the Internet of Things?

While integrating WordPress with the Internet of Things can provide many benefits, it also presents some challenges. One of the main challenges is security. IoT devices are often vulnerable to hacking, which can endanger the security of your website. Therefore, be sure to make sure any IoT device you use is secure and updated regularly. Another challenge is compatibility. Not all IoT devices are WordPress compatible, so you may need to integrate them with third-party services or custom code.

Can I control IoT devices using WordPress?

Yes, you can control IoT devices using WordPress. Many IoT devices offer APIs that you can use to connect to your WordPress website. Once connected, you can use your WordPress website to control these devices. For example, you can use your website to turn the light on/off, adjust the thermostat settings, and more. However, remember that controlling IoT devices with WordPress requires technical knowledge and may require the use of plug-ins or custom code.

What is the future of WordPress and IoT integration?

The future of WordPress and IoT integration looks promising. As more and more devices are connected, the possibility of integration is expanding. We can expect to see more advanced features such as artificial intelligence-driven personalization, real-time data analytics, and more. Additionally, as the technology matures, we can expect to see improved security, which makes it easier and safer to integrate WordPress with IoT devices.

Is there any specific plug-in for integrating WordPress with the Internet of Things?

Yes, there are several plugins that can be used to integrate WordPress with the Internet of Things. Some popular plugins include MQTT Smart Home (which allows you to connect and control a variety of IoT devices from a website) and WP IoT Monitor (which allows you to monitor and control IoT devices from your WordPress dashboard).

How do I protect my WordPress website when integrating with IoT devices?

It is crucial to protect your WordPress website when integrating with IoT devices. Here are some tips: Always use a secure and updated IoT device. Regularly update your WordPress website and plugins. Use a strong and unique password for your device and WordPress website. Consider using security plugins to further enhance the security of your website.

Can I integrate WordPress with any IoT device?

While technically integrates WordPress with any IoT device, not all devices are compatible with WordPress. Some devices may require custom code or third-party services to connect to WordPress. So, be sure to check the compatibility of your device before trying to integrate it with your WordPress site.

What skills do I need to have to integrate WordPress with the Internet of Things?

Integrating WordPress with the Internet of Things requires a basic understanding of WordPress and IoT technology. You should be familiar with the WordPress dashboard and learn how to install and configure plugins. You should also understand how IoT devices work and how to connect them to the internet. In addition, knowledge of API, coding and network security will be of great benefit.

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