Over the past five years, our online interactions and connections have formed the backbone of companies like Facebook and Twitter and have defined whole new categories of social interaction. But where is it written that only humans can be social? What if machines like cars, bikes, health monitors, appliances, ATMs, and kiosks could all become members of your social network, and give you important information about what’s happening in your car, your home, and your body? What if the next Facebook friend you made was a product and it started communicating with you about what you want and need? What if your next Twitter follower was your refrigerator?! Businesses like Ford, Proctor and Gamble and dozens of startups are now using social machines to reach new markets, improve brand and market awareness, and increase revenues. The book will: Articulate how social is a compelling new business model for the Internet of Things Discuss current technologies, such as smart phones and tablets, and how they can/will enable Social Machines Teach readers the business benefits of connecting machines to a social network Teach readers how to learn from existing implementations and customize them for their own use.
