IFTT's new standalone Do apps for iOS and Android simplify the tasks you do every day. Here are a few awesome ways to use them.<\/p>\n
Josh Miller\/CNET <\/p>\n
IFTTT's new Do apps -- Do Button, Do Note and Do Camera -- are simple, yet versatile tools to help you automate and simplify the tasks you do everyday. While the apps are well designed and fun to use, they can be a bit overwhelming at first, because there are hundreds of ways to use them. <\/p>\n
I'm highlighting the some of the best recipes available for each of the apps, most of which you can create in just a few steps. Still stumped on what to do with the Do apps? Check out the collections that IFTTT created, which are available in each app. <\/p>\n
Before you use the Do apps, you'll need an IFTTT account, which you can get for free either within the apps or at IFTTT.com. <\/p>\n
Next, activate the channels you want to use by signing into your accounts on each. Channels are the services that are connected to IFTTT and they include Dropbox, Twitter, Google Drive, Instagram, SMS, WeMo, Phillips Hue, Pocket and Fitbit. All told, IFTTT has 169 channels that you can use. <\/p>\n
Now you're ready to login to the Do apps to start creating new recipes. Recipes are the formulas that IFTTT uses to complete an action. When you press one of the buttons in the Do apps, the recipe tells the app what to do in response. You can either browse existing recipes in the app, or create a brand-new one. <\/p>\n
Here's how to create a new recipe: Tap the mortar and pestle icon, tap the grey plus sign and then press the black plus sign. Pick a channel and choose from the available actions you see. Actions vary greatly by channel, so you might need to look around and experiment to find the right action for what you want to do. <\/p>\n
Once you choose an action, you can edit the recipe from the available options. That usually includes changing the recipe title or editing a message that's sent. You can often attach extra information to your recipe, such as location information or a shareable URL. Tap \"Add Recipe\" to save the recipe and you're done. <\/p>\n
You can't yet send someone an SMS message with the Do apps, but you can send an email. Instead of typing out a message each day to let your roommate, parent or partner know that you're heading home, you can streamline the process by tapping the Do Button each time. By default, IFTTT will also send a map photo of your current location with your message too. <\/p>\n
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Read more:<\/p>\n
9 ways to automate your life with IFTTT<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" IFTT's new standalone Do apps for iOS and Android simplify the tasks you do every day. Here are a few awesome ways to use them Continue reading