Control Your Digital Life With IFTTT's New Applets
One of the most popular internet services, IFTTT, recently got a significant update. Instead of “recipes,” the “If This Then That” service now features “applets.” IFTTT has also eliminated all but one of its apps from the App Store. In this article, we’ll take a brief look at what these changes mean going forward.
What is IFTTT?
First introduced in 2010, IFTTT is a web-based service that allow users to create chains of statements that are triggered based on changes to other web services. For example, I use IFTTT to automatically alert my Twitter followers whenever a paid app or game on the App Store becomes available for free.
AllPass Pro by Alexander Troitsky now FREE on the App Store. Download via https://t.co/MQfAzTRjjn
— Bryan M. Wolfe (@bryanmwolfe) November 8, 2016
IFTTT also works with many of today’s most popular smart home products, such as security cameras, lights, and locks. In the most basic example, with IFTTT you could have your iPhone location trigger a setting on your Philips Hue lights or Nest Learning Thermostat.
Setting up IFTTT recipes has always been a simple, straightforward process, at least for techies. For everyone else, these have proved to be challenging.
IFTTT seems to recognize that simplicity is the key to its long-term success. In a blog post on Nov. 2 announcing the changes now being implemented, IFTTT notes:
We’ve all probably seen someone throw up their hands at the amount of technology they have to manage. But reclaiming control isn’t about eschewing these services completely — it’s about becoming confident in their ability to work together. But services continue to fall short when it comes to compatibility. The reason we started IFTTT in the first place feels more relevant than ever.
What's Changed?
From recipes to applets
IFTTT no longer includes recipes. Instead, the service now uses applets. These are basically streamlined recipes that should be easier for most folks to follow.
As IFTTT notes:
Applets can do everything that Recipes could — and much more. They bring your services together, creating new experiences that you can unlock with a single switch. A house that welcomes you, an efficient workplace, an easier way to stay informed — there are thousands of experiences to choose from, or you can create your own.
IFTTT
One app, lots of solutions
Find What You Want
With the IFTTT, everything you want is just a few click away. Find the applets you already use -- or want to use with ease.
By App
You can easily find applets by app or device. Find the applets already created for one of these or find new ones. Or create your own.
Search
Search shouldn't have to be difficult, and it's not in the IFTTT app. You'll always know which applets you're already using and find new ones that might interest you based on your past experience. Your only limitation is your imagination.
One app
The App Store is now the home to one IFTTT app, instead of multiple DO and IF apps. The change is an important one. Now, all of your IFTTT tools are found in one location. IFTTT is also compatible with Apple Watch.
Bottom line
The new IFTTT is much easier to use than the previous version(s). This change should make it beneficial to more people, which is a win-win for everyone involved.