IFTTT to add a new channel for the Revolv smart home hub

By Drew Prindle September 18, 2014

ifttt revolv smart home hub app 1500x1000 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Adding to it’s steadily-growing list of connected home devices, the popular web-based automation service If This Then That (IFTTT) is reportedly on the cusp of releasing a new channel for the Revolv smart home hub — a move that will greatly expand the possibilities of both Revolv and IFTTT.

For the uninitiated, IFTTT allows you to connect physical devices (things like lights, your phone, or even your car) to digital services like email, social media, and various other webapps. It also lets you connect physical devices to other physical devices via the Internet, so you can do nifty things like automatically turn on a lamp when your WeMo motion detector senses movement, or have your connected air conditioner flip on when you open a door.

Revolv performs a similar function. The hub boasts seven different radios under its hood and can therefore understand practically every major home automation protocol in the biz. This makes it possible for users to link otherwise incompatible smart devices together (a Z-Wave light bulb and a Bluetooth door lock, for example) and control them all from one centralized location.

Related: IFTTT adds two new channels for Nest

Therefore, while IFTTT’s new Revolv channel is technically just for one device, it will presumably act as a gateway for hundreds of different gizmos that aren’t directly supported by IFTTT. In other words, although IFTTT doesn’t have a dedicated Sonos channel, you’ll be able to use the Revolv channel to link your Sonos speakers to, say, your Facebook account or favorite RSS feed. This new channel will essentially fling the doors of possibility wide open for both platforms.

Revolv tells us the IFTTT integration is set to go live before the end of the month.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Internet of Things (IoT)

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Drew Prindle is an award-winning writer, editor, and storyteller who currently serves as Senior Features Editor for Digital…

Smart Home

How to prevent your Ring smart camera from being hacked

Ring Indoor Cam on a table.

Ring smart cameras are remarkably popular. The lineup includes a variety of indoor and outdoor cameras as well as an industry-leading catalog of video doorbells. However, the cameras aren't without their faults. A few years ago, a class action lawsuit was filed claiming that Ring hadn't done enough to protect users from hackers -- allowing them to gain unpermitted access to video feeds.

Digital Trends reached out to Ring about these old hacking incidents. Here's what they had to say.

Smart Home

What is IFTTT and how can you use it in your smart home?

A bunch of colorful shapes on a black background.

If you've spent any time shopping for smart home gadgets, you've probably noticed that many are built with support for Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Home. These are smart home platforms, and they let you access all your devices through a single app or interface. You've probably also noticed support for something known as IFTTT. But what exactly is IFTTT? And is it something you should be concerned with? Here's a closer look at the unique (and incredibly useful) software.
What is IFTTT?

IFTTT stands for, "if this, then that." It's terminology often used in programming, allowing software to chain together functions and perform certain tasks if other tasks are detected. For example, if the user inputs the incorrect password, then they'll be notified to try logging in again.

Smart Home

The 4 best smart thermostats in 2024

A person operating the Google Nest thermostat.

A lot of folks may feel that a smart thermostat device is just a gimmick for the lazy that lets you control it remotely, but there are actually quite a lot of good things when it comes to smart thermostats. Depending on which model you buy and how much money you spend, there can be some significant savings, especially if you spring for the kind that learns your patterns and adjusts the temperature to eat up less electricity. Some thermostats even know what time of day electricity is expensive and adjust to use less of it to help bring your costs down.

As such, if you rely heavily on your HVAC, then having a smart thermostat can save you money and add a ton of convenience, even if you don't go for one of the smarter ones. Just knowing your energy usage over time can help you adjust and spend less money while also being a bit more eco-friendly. While there are a ton of options, we've collected four of our favorites below across various budgets and features, so be sure to check things out thoroughly and be sure a smart thermostat supports your HVAC system before taking the plunge.
The Best Smart Thermostats in 2024