Menu
Home
People
Places
Arts
History
Plants & Animals
Science
Life & Culture
Technology
Reference.org
Smart device
open-in-new
<p>A smart device is an <a href="/facts/Electronics/E4JhgISq">electronic</a> device, generally connected to other devices or networks via different <a href="/facts/Wireless/GfDoFwfo">wireless</a> protocols (such as <a href="/facts/Bluetooth/sWAjpMrj">Bluetooth</a>, <a href="/facts/Zigbee/SG0GxpjI">Zigbee</a>, <a href="/facts/Near-field_communication/awqd3Ea8">near-field communication</a>, <a href="/facts/Wi-Fi/u94quCsx">Wi-Fi</a>, <a href="/facts/NearLink/4RwYI8lk">NearLink</a>, <a href="/facts/Li-Fi/yopv7qBA">Li-Fi</a>, or <a href="/facts/5G/yVb460m4">5G</a>) that can operate to some extent interactively and autonomously. Several notable types of smart devices are <a href="/facts/Smartphone/cSIrBMWG">smartphones</a>, <a href="/facts/Smart_speaker/S7DPuMB5">smart speakers</a>, <a href="/facts/Vehicular_automation/hhmnmpcu">smart cars</a>, <a href="/facts/Smart_card/K7b9lowS">smart cards</a>, <a href="/facts/Smart_thermostat/AxbQyBre">smart thermostats</a>, <a href="/facts/Smart_doorbell/BebCttK5">smart doorbells</a>, <a href="/facts/Smart_lock/JkvFsjoq">smart locks</a>, <a href="/facts/Internet_refrigerator/VCSP4USX">smart refrigerators</a>, <a href="/facts/Phablet/AA2XsLS7">phablets</a> and <a href="/facts/Tablet_computer/6pGX2I7b">tablets</a>, <a href="/facts/Smartwatch/Aq3dKhwb">smartwatches</a>, <a href="/facts/Smart_band/PJC1bmLY">smart bands</a>, <a href="/facts/Smart_keychain/SL0U3UoM">smart keychains</a>, <a href="/facts/Smart_glasses/5e5mRVFu">smart glasses</a>, <a href="/facts/Smart_TV/JE3CHk0y">smart TV</a>, and many others. The term can also refer to a device that exhibits some properties of <a href="/facts/Ubiquitous_computing/KdH2CFrh">ubiquitous computing</a>, including—although not necessarily—<a href="/facts/Artificial_intelligence/lJGauQwX">machine learning</a>. </p><p>Smart devices can be designed to support a variety of <a href="/facts/Form_factor_(design)/pbWg5yAR">form factors</a>, a range of properties pertaining to ubiquitous computing and to be used in three main system environments: physical world, human-centered environments, and <a href="/facts/Distributed_computing/o5nyhqTF">distributed computing</a> environments. <a href="/facts/Home_automation/kfz6C07m">Smart homes</a> indicate the presence of sensors and some detection devices, appliances, and a database to control them. </p>