Amazon opens Dash buttons to developers with its AWS IoT

By Lulu Chang May 14, 2016

Brad Jones/Digital Trends

amazon digital dash buttons button top down — Brad Jones/Digital Trends

When Amazon released the Dash Button last year, it was the real life manifestation of Staples’ “That Was Easy” button. A true danger for the compulsive buyer and an indulgence for every couch potato in the world, the $5 plastic device allows you to re-order anything you want with nothing more than a push of a button. But now, Amazon is looking beyond products and towards services, introducing a limited release of the new Amazon Web Services Internet of Things Button. Because there’s absolutely no shortage of things a button can do.

Related: See here for more Amazon Dash button options

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The programmable button, Amazon explains, is based upon the same hardware used in Dash Button, but with one key difference — the Wi-Fi enabled device is actually designed for developers to work with AWS IoT, AWS Lambda, Amazon DynamoDB, Amazon SNS, and other Amazon Web Services without writing device-specific code.

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Essentially, it gives users the opportunity to use the button for tasks rather than purchases.”You can code the button’s logic in the cloud to configure button clicks to count or track items, call or alert someone, start or stop something, order services, or even provide feedback,” Amazon states. Moreover, the retail giant notes that your AWS IoT button can “unlock or start a car, open your garage door, call a cab, call your spouse or a customer service representative, track the use of common household chores, medications or products, or remotely control your home appliances.” Why press more than one button when you can just … press one?

There’s really no end to Amazon’s (or developers’) imaginations when it comes to the possibilities afforded by an IoT connected button. From a remote control for Netflix to a light switch to a pizza delivery service, this might just be the button you never knew you needed.

So if you’ve got $20 to spend and some time to tinker, this may be the product for you.

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