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The Internet of Things Simplified Into One Red bttn

09.17.14 | By
The Internet of Things Simplified Into One Red bttn

It wouldn’t be unfair if you assumed the designers of the bttn were inspired by the office stress relief accessory found at a popular home office store, such is their uncanny resemblance. But unlike its “dumb” cousin, the bttn has been engineered to do something beyond illuminate and dissipate stress via button bashing: designer Harri Koskinen’s simplified unified interface is connected wirelessly to several cloud-based services and activities.

In simplest terms, this big red button is a gigantic user configurable “ON+Send” button which triggers countless customized actions via wi-fi, SMS, or from your mobile device, connecting the home to internet services/technologies like “HTTP, RSS, IFTTT, SmartThings, Twitter, Facebook, email, or SMS messaging”.

For example, the bttn could be used as an easy one button interface for senior citizens to turn on/off all the lights, television, and any other appliance easily from their bedside while sending a quick “goodnight” to their children so they know everything is okay. Or when connected to a wi-fi enabled security camera system, bttn could operate both as door chime and automated photo identification system, delivering a snapshot via email or SMS. Several more automation “recipes” are illustrated here to further explain the possibilities.

Connected with home automation and security systems, the bttn can turn into an easy to access "on" switch which doesn't require swiping or turning on any device to work, helpful in emergencies.

Connected to a home automation and security system, the bttn could operate as the easiest “on” switch. Because bttn doesn’t require swiping or turning on any device to work, its simple interface could prove especially helpful in emergencies or amongst the elderly.

bttn---first-thing-in-the-morning

bttn_official_03_gre

Once connected to a home’s Wi-Fi or a mobile data network, the almost 4″ diameter AA battery operated device can be customized using a wizard application into infinite combinations of “do this, this, and that”, notifying users with a simple color-coded system: “Flashing GREEN top means successful completion of the trigger, RED means error, and a circling YELLOW means wait.”

Only time will tell if the simplified one-button utility of the device will veer adopters toward simplicity in an era of specs, features, and “more is more” devices…especially when competing with more tempting automation solutions.

Gregory Han is a Senior Editor at Design Milk. A Los Angeles native with a profound love and curiosity for design, hiking, tide pools, and road trips, a selection of his adventures and musings can be found at gregoryhan.com.