IFTTT? Bless you. Just kidding— IFTTT stands for
IF This Then That, a productivity app with a very simple description: “IF connects the apps you love.” The interesting name, plain description, and 4-star rating caught my attention. So I downloaded.
The concept of the app really is as simple as the description. There are various “channels” the app can work with, which range from regular apps on your phone like weather and Spotify, to your phones location, and all the way to WiFi enabled appliances like your dishwasher and dryer. With 350 channels currently available, I think you’ll be able to find what you’re looking for.
Using the available channels, users create recipes “if this then that” style. There are plenty of recommended “recipes” already in use, or you can create your own. I don’t use my smartphone for anything crazy, so most of my recipes were pretty simple:
- If I leave/arrive at my house, remind me to turn on/off my WiFi.
- If I’m tagged in a Facebook photo, save it to my camera roll.
- If I like a song on SoundCloud, save it to a Spotify playlist.
- If it’s going to rain, send me a notification.
- If I take a photo, save it in my DropBox.
It was pretty simple to navigate the app, as far as figuring out how to set up the recipes. One of the things I didn’t care for was how long it took to get set up. Every channel I added I had to link up to my IFTTT app manually which means logging in to the appropriate channel, granting permission for IFTTT to use it, deciding what data it can access, etc. And with the five simple recipes listed above, there are eight different channels involved. Don’t get me wrong, I am glad that the app is secure, but it was kind of a tedious process.
Other than that, I have to say I was pleasantly impressed. It does require background refresh to work properly, but it doesn’t drain my battery, at least enough that I would notice. Actually, its quite the opposite—I use my WiFi recipe to save data and my battery! With most productivity apps, whether they be geared toward list-making or reminders, I find they don’t really offer much that my phone can’t already do. IFTTT really works to extend the functionality of your smartphone by making apps connect to each other without you having to do the manual work every time.
IFTTT can be used by younger generations to sync up their dozens of social media accounts, or by adults to keep organized at work, home, and everywhere in-between. The app is available for free on
Apple’s App store and
Google Play.]]>
