What are IoT (Internet of Things) products characterized by?

IoT products are characterized primarily by their internet connectivity combined with embedded sensors. This connectivity allows them to communicate and share data over the internet, enabling various functionalities, such as remote monitoring, automation, and data collection. By incorporating sensors, these devices can collect real-time data from their environment, process it, and send it to other devices or cloud platforms for analysis.

The essence of IoT lies in the integration of physical devices with digital networks, making them smarter and more efficient. This characteristic distinguishes IoT products from traditional devices that lack connectivity and sensor capabilities.

In contrast, manual operation without digital connectivity does not align with the fundamental definition of IoT products. Exclusively software-based applications may be part of the IoT ecosystem, but they do not encapsulate the hardware aspect that defines most IoT products. Lastly, lacking a physical presence contradicts the nature of IoT, as these products are tangible devices that interact with their environment. Therefore, the correct answer emphasizes the critical features of internet connectivity and embedded sensors that are quintessential to IoT products.