IFTTT, a free web-based service is an acronym for “If this, then that”. It is perfect for people like me who don’t know how to code but want a better integration between Internet-enabled apps and services running on a variety of gadgets. Some portals like Slack now play “nicely” with Google Drive but NOT everything runs as smoothly as this. For instance, we have both Dropbox and Google Drive for downloading photos yet because these two don’t communicate, what we download on one isn’t automatically uploaded on the other.
Applets bring your favorite services together to create new experiences. — IFTTT
IFTTT is one of the popular productivity apps popular for Android devices – in fact, it already installed on mine. iOS version is also available. With the number of productivity apps easily downloaded for free, it is easy to get trigger happy and download more than what’s of practical use. Between business, personal, and social apps, it can be confusing and time-consuming. With IFTTT, simple tasks can be automated and since its launch in 2011, applets had been created to do just that.
In 2014, IFTTT was already valued at $170M and with over 600 apps that work with popular platforms like Twitter, Instagram, Gmail, Slack, Telegram, Facebook, Dropbox, Spotify, YouTube, Google Calendar, Evernote, Skype, Salesforce, MailChimp and more, on IoT devices (Alexa, FitBit, Android etc), a buy-out by Google, Amazon, or Apple may be in the offing soon. In fact, Microsoft has already developed “Flow” and it already has a major competitor, Zapier.
- Automate web application tasks like posting the same content on various social media accounts.
- Track mention of companies in RSS feeds.
- Automate switching on the light with detection of motion.
IFTTT enables you to have better control when using Alexa (Amazon) or Google Assistant while keeping you informed about news feeds and weather forecasts. You can be alerted on your chosen search words and even back up “files, contacts, photos”.
Among the many ready-to-use Applet collections on the IFTTT site are:
- Applets for Google
- Applets for iOS
- Applets for Android
- Applets for Voice Assistant
- Applets for Photography
- Microsoft Applets
- Applets for IoT
- Applets for Cars
- Applets for News
- Applets for Weather
- Applets for the home (keeps you comfortable, safe, secure) and more.
However, the paradox of choice from such an extensive array is paralyzing so IFTTT has provided shortlisted Applets for:
- Marketing
- Small Business Owners
- Shoppers
- Educators and
- Bookworms.
There are even Applets for Weddings and Music Lovers! With IFTTT, it’s different strokes for different folks – something ultra handy when you are dying for seamless integration between home and office. If you hate to drop the ball on anything (especially work-related tasks), IFTTT is a true GIFT. But beware since some users have found out that performance is less than ideal – it does crash on occasion. But for those who have made it work, it quickly becomes the indispensable interface between your apps and smart devices in your connected life.
Want to create your own Applet, here’s how!
