An ontological analysis of the application of the key concept of synergy to the internet of things (IoT) is presented. The authors begin by defining synergy as it applies to all types of human-made objects, and in particular to connected things, along the way developing a new theory of synergetic accommodation that provides a detailed aetiology of smart technology. A presentation of the history, routes, plus a complete definition of smart technology is given before looking at how the IoT is developing today and might progress in the future for the benefit of all humankind. Accordingly, the authors develop two new concepts, situated and distributed intelligence, that may be used to develop practically useful smart technology that fully meets the needs of the future in terms of providing efficient, magnified, reliable, safe, automated, and economical services.