Google’s OnHub launched as a super-charged router designed to improve your Wi-Fi. Now the company is adding support for If This Then That (IFTTT) in an effort to push the router into smart home territory.
IFTTT is already a popular service used to automate actions across different online services with endless possibilities. By adding OnHub support, Google can turn the action of connecting or disconnecting from your Wi-Fi into an ON/OFF switch for different apps and smart home gadgets. It’s also the first router to offer this feature.
One example: You can create an IFTTT recipe to email your family or roommates automatically whenever you get home and your phone connects to Wi-Fi. More advanced options include setting a smart lock to switch on when you leave the house, or having the lights turn on when you get home. You can even set up custom lighting configurations for each user.
OnHub is also capable of prioritizing specific devices. So if you’re a fan of online gaming you can set IFTTT to give your PC or console priority. The same feature also works for a smart security camera, switching on as soon as it’s activated by an unexpected movement.
Once you have a few IFTTT commands set up the OnHub may seamlessly become the center of your entire smart home. At least until Google comes out with its rumored Amazon Echo competitor.
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