I’m a fan of IFTTT, which connects various APIs together to create useful channels that make services coexist better. It’s a user-centric approach; of course, reliance on APIs is a slippery slope, but that’s another discussion for another day.
I’m also a huge fan of anything Internet of Things, so this TUAW post on IFTTT recipes for weather caught my attention. In fact, the recipes they mention are very similar to the ones I imagine for the connected home, right down to the Netatmo Urban Weather Station, which I badly want.
I’ve now added a Belkin WeMo to that list. The WeMo is an internet-connected outlet than can optionally have a motion sensor, controlled via an iOS app. I can already think of one use for this switch. Some of you may recognize it; it’s the did-I-remember-to-turn-off-the-blank use case. Whether it’s the coffee pot, stove or a curling iron, we’ve all had that panicky moment. Now, you can just check the WeMo iOS app.
The kicker is the IFTTT channel. I’m not sure if these recipes are the product of a developer ecosystem, or if Belkin was savvy enough to seed them. Either way, this goes a long way to satisfying my biggest expectation for the Internet of Things, a common ecosystem with data sharing.
Over the next few years, I’m expecting a deluge of products like the WeMo that provide internet connectivity to objects in the home. Coupled with slick new products like Nest, Netatmo, Withings, etc. you’ll soon be able to do a lot from your favorite iOS device, probably the iPad, a.k.a. the new home remote.
Of course, there are downsides too, mainly security and privacy concerns, but that won’t stop many people from automating their homes.
Personally, I can’t wait.
You? Find the comments.
