Yo is a great way to annoy your friends, but it could also turn into something much more — a simple way to manage push notifications across multiple apps and gadgets. Today, we got the first taste of how Yo might actually be useful on a daily basis. The company has launched an IFTTT channel that lets you automate light switches, air conditioning, Belkin WeMo devices, and phone calls, all by sending a Yo to IFTTT. For now, this means you can only set up one function at a time, which is unfortunate. Here are some of the many ways you can use Yo with IFTTT:
- Send a Yo to IFTTT to turn on your Aros air conditioner unit
- Send a Yo to IFTTT to log a gym visit using Jawbone UP
- Send a Yo to IFTTT to tweet something, like "Just arrived at work"
- Send a Yo to IFTTT to turn your Philips Hue lights off
- Send a Yo to IFTTT to have IFTTT call your phone (to get you out of a meeting or a bad date)
In some cases, opening Yo and tapping IFTTT could be easier than opening your Jawbone UP app, Twitter app, or Philips Hue app. Here's where Yo can provide real value — by providing one-tap access to switches and simple functions like these. Traditionally, these functions would exist inside ten different apps, not just one. Apps like Launch Center Pro already show that a "speed dial" for simple tasks can be really valuable, and it works with IFTTT as well. There's something beautiful about Yo's approach, however, which could someday turn one tap into a million functions.