1btn

An open source Wi-Fi connected IoT button

Sep 27, 2016

Project update 8 of 8

1btn becomes more powerful with multi-task functionality!

by Anand

While it’s true that 1btn is a simple, minimalist interface that excels at performing just one task with just one click, we have been working on making it a more versatile device that can perform more than one task, but without compromising its simplicity.

Our first thought was that “time of the day” is a logical way to define multiple tasks for one single button While we considered other options like double click and long press. if we are to keep simplicity at the center of 1btn,double clicks or long presses can be confusing to a general user. So we went ahead with “time of the day” and have now completed adding that functionality for 1btn triggers.

The good news is that users don’t need to do anything to access this new functionality, no firmware update or change to hardware is required. Instead, users simply use the “Add new button” UI to create a button with the MAC ID as an existing button. This creates a copy of the button that can be configured with its own nick name and time window, task details, etc. Each “new” button created this way refers to the same hardware, allowing users to assign multiple tasks to a single button.

There are obviously a vast number of use cases for this functionality. For example, you could set up a 1btn to send a text message to an elderly relative, reminding them three-times a day to take their medication, and even adding details about dosage, etc.

There are a couple of things to keep in mind when using this functionality:

Beyond the powerful new multi-task capability, we have added a new feature to the user profile. After hearing of some user’s struggles to debug configuration errors, we’ve made it possible for 1btn to send an email notification when it encounters an error. The email contains a number of details that can help in determining the cause for the fault.

We have come a long way since our initial launch and now we are working with a few larger, more complex use cases in B2B scenarios. Let us know how you are using your 1btn, how has it helped, and what we can do together to make 1btn smarter while keeping it simpler!

Please do send us your feedback, contact us for collaboration, or just say “hi" 1btn@knewron.co.in.


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