IFTTT (If this then that) is an online website that allows you to connect apps and devices together such as LIFX, SmartThings, Flic and Twitter. IFTTT helps you save time, connect your home, keep in touch and be more productive.

How does it work?

By simply creating an account and then connecting your relevant apps you can create simple recipes to help automate your life. There are over 344 apps/services which you can connect to, which can help make your life easier.

What kinds of things can I do?

There are a wide range of things you can do based on the things you have connected, here are some of the things that I’ve tested. Some for fun and some which help make my home more automated.

Twitter and LIFX

Using twitter and LIFX light bulbs, I have created a recipe which flashes the light bulbs when I get a new follower.

ESPN and LIFX

To add to the celebration of your favourite football team scoring, you can set up your LIFX to flash when your favourite team scores.

SmartThings and Wemo Plug

If SmartThings detects presence via one of it’s motion sensors, it turns on the hall lamp (using WeMo plug).

When SmartThings does not detect presence, the hall lamp can be switched off.

Flic and SmartThings

Using my Flic buttons, I have created recipes which allow control over my SmartThings devices. Without IFTTT my Flic buttons won’t communicate with SmartThings. So on one press, I can have my lamp and fireplace turn on. For two presses I can have them both turn off, and so forth.

Weather and Notification

Notify me when it’s raining in my local area (tells me if I need to get the washing in or not).

Logging Data to Google Sheets

Using SmartThings and Google Sheets, I can log information based on activity such as presence detection. This helps keep track of people coming and going.

There are many more recipes which you can create. It’s best to start by adding all your devices and see which ones you can connect things to. It can be an ideal website for connecting devices which might not directly integrate. If you wish to find out more, visit their site and find out how IFTTT can help make a smarter home.