title: Purpose of the Cloud in IoT infrastructures
body: <p>My question is based on understanding generic IoT infrastructure.</p>
  
  <p>Let's say I have a Wifi smart socket. My understanding is that upon pairing, the device communicates to the app via specific path (Device --> Local Router --> Manufacturer Cloud --> App) and vice versa for app-device communication.</p>
  
  <p>Why is there a Manufacturer Cloud in the path? Why can't it be Device --> Router --> Some random telecommunication line --> App? In other words, why is there a middleman in the cloud?</p>