Podcast #945: Cool IFTTT Applets and Devices

Cool IFTTT Applets and Devices

Many of us have some sort of home automation device in our homes. Many of the products we had do not necessarily work together unless you are using a framework from Google, Amazon, or Apple. That's where IFTTT comes in. IFTTT connects devices that normally don't talk to each other with something called an Applet.

These Applets are composed of triggers and actions. Triggers tell an Applet to start, and actions are the end result of an Applet run. To use an Applet, you'll need a free IFTTT account. Then you need to connect your apps and devices to IFTTT, so they can talk to each other via the IFTTT service. Today we are going to discuss some of the cooler Applets we have found. Please let us know what your favorites are and we'll share.

Turn on lights when Ring senses motion

Turns on selected Hue lights when the Ring doorbell senses motion only during night hours. This may be good especially when you are away from home. People wanting to break into your home may be discouraged if all the lights are one.

Stop Sonos when you leave the house

Pause music in all your rooms when you leave your house. There's also one to start playing your favorite tunes as soon as you walk through the door.

Receive a notification on your phone when your Amazon Alexa timer goes off

You'll get notified when your Amazon Alexa timer goes off. Must have the IFTTT app installed.

Wireless Tag

Wireless Tags are very small devices that can sense even the slightest movement. They have light and temperature sensors as well. They cost about $35 and are only about an inch and a half square. Requires a $40 hub. These devices are inexpensive and can be used to detect motion or movement of objects and they can be tied together to many other devices via the IFTTT app.

Notion

The Notion Smart Security Starter Kit provides monitoring for opening doors and windows, sounding smoke/CO alarms, water leaks, and temperature changes. With IFTTT you can add more capability like connecting them to your Hue Lights.

Fing

Fing is a network scanner that makes you discover all connected devices, run internet speed tests and help troubleshoot network and device issues. Get Fingbox for more advanced security and protection for your network. With IFTTT you can add more capability like connecting them to your Hue Lights. Are you sensing a pattern here? But you can do more than just turn on lights. You can arm cameras, start a Harmony activity, or even activate Hubitat devices.

Airthings

Airthings produces radon and indoor air quality system for multi-room, connected monitoring. With IFTTT you can connect your WeMo products, Hue Lights, and even make a calendar entry.

Weather Stations

IFTTT connects to a few weather stations which can allow for triggers based on weather so you don't water your lawn in the rain or shut your Hunter Douglas blinds when it gets hot outside.