IFTTT recipes can be a powerful tool for your smart home, at least until better standards are put in place
If you're unfamiliar with IFTTT then you are seriously missing out. IFTTT, short for "If This Then That", is a free web-service that lets you create simple connections, called "recipes" between apps and/or products.
You can set-up two types of IFTTT recipes: DO recipes and IF recipes. DO recipes run with just a tap and enable you to create your own personalized Button, Camera, and Notepad.
IF Recipes run automatically in the background. If a trigger or condition is met, then the specified action or output is executed.
IFTTT has certainly grown since its initial launch in September 2011. Currently over 302 Services / Channels are available, 95 of which are dedicated to the "Connected home".
With product lines and services such as Amazon's Alexa, Philips Hue, Samsung's SmartThings, Belkin WeMo, Nest Thermostat etc. all supporting IFTTT, building a smart home today is a lot easier.
While the web-service has become very popular and useful to Internet Marketers for its ability to connect social media networks together, we've gathered the 10 best IFTTT recipes for your smart home. When selecting our 10 best IFTTT recipes for your smart home, we focused on practicality, popularity and the web-service's ability to connect devices that weren't designed to work together.
1. Mute your phone at bedtime
Ensure you get a solid night's sleep by automatically muting your phone once it's bedtime!
2. Lock your front door with Alexa and SmartThings
If you've left your smart home's front door unlocked, you can simply tell Amazon's Alexa virtual assistant to lock it and SmartThings will handle the rest.
3. Change your smart home lighting if it starts raining
Automatically change your Philips Hue lights to blue if it starts to rain.
4. Turn on your smart lights at sunset
Never be left in the dark. Whenever the sun starts to set, your Philips Hue bulbs will automatically turn on and ensure your smart home is always kept well-lit.
5. Find your phone using Alexa
Just say "Alexa, trigger find my phone" and this IFTTT recipe will call your phone.
6. Make a grand entrance with Philips hue + IFTTT
Enter your smart home to color shifting lights. It's not the most practical IFTTT recipe on this list but it's one of the coolest.
7. Automatically set thermostat to your desired temperature before you get home
This IFTTT recipe is great for getting your smart home cozy and warm, before you arrive home!
8. Toggle all lights on or off by asking Alexa
This IFTTT recipe works by asking Alexa what's on your To Do List, which instead toggles all your lights on/off.
9. Receive an emergency call if smoke is detected
If your Nest Protect device detects smoke you will receive an automated phone call to let you know of the situation.
10. Enjoy a freshly brewed pot of coffee when you wake up
Enjoy the convenience of a freshly made pot of coffee when you wake up. Provided your coffee machine comes from Belkin's WeMo line.
Recipe images courtesy of IFTTT