If this, then what?
Background on automation app teardowns
As a personal project this fall, I’m trying out automation apps and sharing what I find—the good, the bad, and ideas on what to improve.
Here are the parameters:
The app has to let you create automations.
I’ll start with general-purpose automation apps and then branch out to more specific domains. Let me know if there are any you’d recommend!
It must be a phone app (I’m on mat leave with a velcro baby—these apps will be tested on a phone while nap trapped. Heck, even this whole post was written on a phone.)
B2C: you may be willing to switch from a phone to a computer for work, so B2B apps can get away with pushing you to a computer for some actions. B2C apps likely can’t get away with this, so have to be self-contained.
Why phone apps?
It’s a freakin’ hard problem! How do you get someone to understand, connect, and maybe even create an automated system on a tiny screen using only their thumbs and (maybe) an index finger?
Big mobile empathy. A phone is my only reliable way of interacting with software right now. So I’m acutely aware of how hard it is to do certain tasks using only a phone.
IFTTT
First up: If This Then That, IFTTT to friends. As a real Zapier girlie, I had the preconception of IFTTT as an earlier, less powerful Zapier. But Zapier doesn’t have a phone app, presumably because most of its revenue comes from B2B users more willing to accept computer-only software for work tasks. So IFTTT it was.
If you’re short on time, here’s a summary. For the full deets, read on!
The good:
A large selection of pre-made automations that are ready to use and suggested based on your collected and inferred interests.
The bad/to improve:
What do you need to do after turning on an automation? Users gotta know
What happens after you turn on an automation? What outcomes should you expect?
Some automations manage to make the simple complicated
A shallow and wide approach — many connected apps, few functions for each one
The puzzling:
Who would pay for an $8.99/mo Pro+ subscription if the free ChatGPT app can do it better?
The positives
1. A large selection of pre-made applets (IFTTT-speak for automations or connections) that are ready to use and suggested to you based on your collected and inferred interests.
From the start of onboarding, you select what other apps you use regularly. You are then recommended popular applets based on this selection, both in app and through emails. In addition to receiving more relevant applets, seeing recognizable app names helps build familiarity and trust.
These pre-made applets are generally easy to understand and to connect. For example, to connect Spotify to Google sheets in order to track all of your played songs, you are guided through the steps to give permissions to both apps, and the applet works on its own from there.
The one thing I’ll say is that the recommendations do get somewhat repetitive, as the same top applets are pushed to you both in the app and in onboarding emails.
2. Social proof. Seeing how many people use an applet helps build trust that it’ll work. For example, the applet “Press a button to track work hours in Google Drive” has been used by 145.8k people. On the flip side, it’s harder to trust applets used by few people. The applet “Press this button to buy/sell stocks” has only been used by 15 people, raising some doubts about how well it will work.
The biggest negatives and opportunities to improve
1. Then what? It’s not clear what to do after you turn on an applet. After you turn on (“connect” in IFTTT parlance) an applet like “Press a button to track work hours in Google Drive,” where do you actually find the button? It turns out you need to turn on the corresponding IFTTT phone widget to access the action. This wasn’t clear until I went through my home screen and lock screen looking for the button.
You can add a widget for each IFTT action or a widget that contains a few actions at once. Either way, these things take up a lot of space! Goodbye uncluttered home screen.
It would be great if widgets were turned on automatically when required by a new applet. If that’s not possible, it would help to be shown the actions you need to take and a quick set of visual instructions for what to do once the applet is turned on (e.g., how to turn on widgets for those who don’t use them regularly).
2. What will happen next? A corollary to the point above is that it’s also not clear what outcome you should expect from an applet once it starts running. For example, if you enabled “Keep a log of your recently played Spotify tracks in a Google sheet,” what will that outcome look like? After trying an AI generated blog post applet, I had to no idea whether it worked and, if so, where to look for the resulting blog post draft.
This is even more important for public actions. For example, one of the AI-enabled applets that IFTTT is pushing is “AI generated tweets for your blog posts”. You get a short text description of what the applet would do (summarize blog posts and share the summaries as tweets), but without a real life example it’s hard to hand over your Twitter account to be a public Guinea pig.
A note to myself as much as anyone else this may be useful to: if you’re about to automate an even mildly high-stakes action, you want real-world examples of this automation in action and a clear idea of what your first automated outcome is likely to look like.
3. Making the simple complicated. You know those people who can make even the simplest thing complicated? A bunch of applets feel like this. An example is something like the “Quickly email yourself a note” applet. Um, why? After opening the widget (an action that takes as many steps as opening an email app), you save all of one step—selecting an email recipient. You then receive your note in your email with a bunch of extra metadata in the email body.
Same with the AI-enabled applet “Ask me any question”. Instead of opening up the ChatGPT app, asking your question, and receiving your response, you have to open up the widget, ask your question, then get a push notification from the IFTTT app and have to open the app up to see the response. Extra steps and annoyance! All for an AI-enabled feature you have to pay more for (more on that below).
It erodes trust to have an automation product clearly making things harder, rather than easier. It would help to be more selective in what is recommended to the user and to stop featuring pre-made applets that don’t save steps or time. Users could be asked how truly helpful they find each applet or how much time they saved using it and the most popular time- or drudgery-saving apps featured. A stat like “93% of users found this applet saves them time” could help someone want to try it.
4. You might not need any of these applets! The biggest negative for me was not seeing or being able to make any applets that I truly needed. A few of the suggested applets were interesting enough but not essential enough to pay for.
So I tried to make my own. The functionality of each app you can connect through IFTTT is limited. There’s a wide and shallow approach — a large number of connected apps with very limited triggers and actions for each app.
For example, on the finance side you can get a notification if a stock’s price drops by a certain percentage. But you can only get this info after the market closes, so can’t really do anything with it if you receive it.
As another example, the only possible triggers on Instagram are you posting a photo or video (vs. e.g., comments or another account posting something).
Without useful triggers and actions, it’s hard to build worthwhile applets.
This may be the Zapier user in me, but having more possible triggers and actions per app makes the connection between apps more likely to be worthwhile and worth paying for.
Pricing tiers
There are three tiers: free, Pro, and the somewhat comically named Pro+. You get a 7 day trial of the paid plans so I tried out both.
The main draws of Pro are getting to run more (20) applets and “better” applets like ones that connect to Twitter. Pro costs $4.99/mo or $51.99/yr.
Beyond this is Pro+, whose main advantages are AI features, faster and unlimited applets (though how many do you really need?), as well as more complex applets — multi-action and with additional logic. Pro+ is $8.99/mo or $90.99.
All I can say is: this must be a hard sell!
IFTTT AI features vs. ChatGPT
First, the main draw—AI features. I compared a couple of the pre-made AI applets to using the free ChatGPT app (ChatGPT for iOS, version 1.2023.235).
The one that seemed most immediately useful and appealing was the applet to write a blog post from a set of quick notes (“Generate a draft blog post for a topic”).
Here are my starting notes, a 2 minute brain dump of ideas on applying the concept of a capsule wardrobe to home furnishings:
Capsule wardrobe but for the home
Neutral base of pieces
Change accessories by the season
People's color preferences change during the year, example mustard yellow preferred more during autumn
Examples of accessories to change out by the season
Benefits include minimizing consumption and having less regret about neutrals purchased
Here’s the IFTTT output:
When it comes to fashion, many people have embraced the concept of a capsule wardrobe - a curated collection of timeless pieces that can be mixed and matched to create a multitude of outfits. But why stop at clothing? The same concept can be applied to our homes, creating a stylish and harmonious living space that evolves with the changing seasons.
In a home capsule wardrobe, the focus is on building a neutral base of pieces that form the foundation of your decor. These neutrals can be anything from furniture to wall colors, keeping the overall aesthetic clean and cohesive. By starting with a neutral palette, it becomes easier to swap out accessories and accents as the seasons change.
Just like people's color preferences shift throughout the year, so too can the colors and patterns in our homes. For example, during the autumn season, mustard yellow tends to be more popular, evoking a warm and cozy feel. By simply changing out a few throw pillows, blankets, or even artwork, you can instantly update the look and feel of your space.
The benefits of creating a home capsule wardrobe are plenty. Firstly, it minimizes unnecessary consumption. Instead of constantly buying new furniture or completely redecorating, you can focus on making intentional and thoughtful changes. This not only saves money but also prevents the accumulation of regretful purchases.
In addition, having a home capsule wardrobe allows you to experiment with different styles and trends without committing to a complete overhaul. Whether it's swapping out curtains, rugs, or even a statement piece of furniture, you can easily stay up to date with the latest decor trends without breaking the bank.
Ultimately, creating a home capsule wardrobe is about finding a balance between timeless pieces and seasonal accents. It not only adds versatility and style to your living space, but also promotes a more mindful and conscious approach to decorating. So why not give it a try and make your home a reflection of your ever-evolving tastes and preferences?
Ok, not too bad. With some editing (swapping out curtains, rugs, and statement furniture each season does not exactly seem feasible) and adding a few references, this is bland but fine.
Next, ChatGPT, fed the same notes with the prompt “Can you write me a blog post using the following notes?”
Title: “Creating a Capsule Home: Minimalism Meets Seasonal Style”
In a world of fast fashion and ever-evolving trends, the concept of a capsule wardrobe has gained significant popularity. But have you ever thought about applying the same principle to your home decor? Imagine having a beautifully curated living space that remains versatile yet cozy throughout the year. Welcome to the world of the “Capsule Home.”
The Neutral Base
Just like a classic white shirt or a pair of well-fitting jeans, the Capsule Home starts with a neutral base. Think of it as the canvas upon which you’ll paint your seasonal style. Neutral furniture pieces – a simple couch, a clean-lined dining table, or a timeless bedframe – form the foundation of your Capsule Home.
Embracing Seasonal Change
The magic of the Capsule Home lies in its adaptability. Instead of overhauling your entire living space every season, focus on changing the accessories. Just as people’s color preferences shift with the seasons – mustard yellow feels more at home in autumn, for instance – your home can reflect these changes too.
Accessorize with the Seasons
Here are some examples of accessories to switch out as the seasons turn:
Spring:
Light, pastel-colored throw pillows and blankets.
Fresh floral arrangements or potted plants.
Bright, airy curtains to let in the sunshine.
Summer:
Nautical-themed decor like seashells or beach-inspired artwork.
Lightweight, breathable linens for bedding and curtains.
Vibrant, tropical prints for accent pillows.
Autumn:
Warm, earthy tones for throw blankets and rugs.
Rustic, wooden decor like decorative pumpkins or candles.
Cozy, plaid-patterned cushions for that inviting feel.
Winter:
Soft, fuzzy blankets and faux fur pillows.
Twinkling fairy lights and candles for a warm ambiance.
Rich, deep-colored accents like burgundy or emerald.
Benefits of the Capsule Home
Minimizing Consumption: By focusing on changing accessories rather than entire pieces of furniture, you significantly reduce your environmental footprint. You’ll also save money by not constantly purchasing new items.
Less Regret: Neutrals are timeless and versatile. When you invest in quality neutral pieces, you’re less likely to regret your choices, and they can serve as the backdrop for various styles over the years.
A Home That Evolves: Your Capsule Home is a reflection of your ever-changing tastes and the seasons, ensuring that your space always feels fresh and inspiring.
In conclusion, the Capsule Home concept allows you to embrace the beauty of minimalism while still enjoying the creative expression of seasonal decor. By investing in quality neutrals and swapping out accessories, you’ll not only create an aesthetically pleasing home but also contribute to a more sustainable and mindful way of living. So, why not give it a try? Your Capsule Home is waiting to be curated!
Yeah boy! Now we’re cooking with gas. I’m very happy with this as a starting point. I’d swap out some examples, add some references, and make the tone my own and be good to go.
To give IFTTT a fair shake, I decided to try another AI applet, “Ask me any question”. As an avid pots-head, I went with Ceramic Art History for 200.
Question: What are time periods in history when ceramics were highly valued as an art?
IFTTT
Ceramics have been highly valued as an art form throughout various time periods in history. Here are a few notable examples:
Ancient China (10,000 BCE - 221 BCE): Chinese ceramics, such as the famous Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) and Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE) porcelain, were highly prized for their exquisite craftsmanship and artistic beauty.
Ancient Greece (c. 1000 BCE - 146 BCE): Greek pottery, particularly during the Geometric (900-700 BCE) and Classical (480-323 BCE) periods, showcased intricate designs and narrative scenes, making them highly valued for their artistic and cultural significance.
Islamic Golden Age (8th - 13th centuries): Islamic ceramics, including Persian and Iznik pottery, reached great heights during this period. These ceramics were known for their intricate patterns, vibrant colors, and skilled craftsmanship.
Renaissance (14th - 17th centuries): European ceramics gained prominence during the Renaissance, with Italian maiolica and Dutch Delftware becoming highly valued for their decorative and ornamental qualities.
Meiji Era Japan (1868-1912): Japanese ceramics, such as Satsuma and Imari ware, experienced a resurgence during this era. These ceramics were highly sought after for their intricate designs, fine glazes, and traditional craftsmanship.
These are just a few examples, and ceramics have been valued as an art form in various other cultures and time periods as well.
ChatGPT
Ceramics have been highly valued as an art form in various time periods throughout history. Some notable periods include:
Ancient China (circa 10,000 BCE - 221 BCE): Chinese porcelain, known for its exquisite craftsmanship and delicate designs, has been admired for millennia.
Ancient Greece (circa 6th-4th century BCE): Greek pottery, with its intricate painted scenes and distinctive styles like black-figure and red-figure pottery, was highly regarded.
Islamic Golden Age (8th-13th centuries): Islamic ceramics, including exquisite tiles and pottery, showcased intricate geometric patterns and calligraphy.
Italian Renaissance (14th-16th centuries): Italian maiolica and porcelain were valued for their artistic designs during this period.
Japanese Edo Period (17th-19th centuries): Japanese ceramics like Imari and Arita ware gained international recognition for their craftsmanship and aesthetics.
Arts and Crafts Movement (late 19th-early 20th centuries): This movement emphasized the value of handcrafted, decorative ceramics as a reaction to industrialization.
Contemporary Ceramics (20th century onwards): Ceramic art continues to thrive in contemporary art scenes, with artists exploring various styles and techniques.
These are just a few examples, and ceramics have held cultural and artistic significance in many other regions and time periods as well.
So the IFTTT response is essentially a shortened version of the ChatGPT one, leaving out the Arts and Crafts movement, arguably the example that’s most analogous to the current age (then: industrialization, now: AI/automation).
I’m not sure who would be willing to pay more for the AI features, at least for one-off uses like those above. Not only were the ChatGPT responses better (Maybe IFTTT is just using an older version of what’s available for free through the ChatGPT app?), they were also easier to get: all you had to do was open the app and get your response in the same window, rather than a clunky workaround with notifications and new documents each time. The only use I could imagine for IFTTT would be if you’d want to generate recurring content based on some external prompts, rather than for one-off use.
Additional statement logic
The additional logic you could add in applets with Pro+ was also not worth the cost, at least not for me. The “Query” function allows you to collect additional information every time your “If” statement is met, and was straightforward to use, matching the way “If” statements are created.
When you open up the filter function on the other hand… it looks like this. Nope.
So yeah, in total, I am not sure what would compel someone to pay for the Pro+ features. If you’re a paying Pro+ user, I’d love to find out what you value and what got you to pay for the plan—let me know!
Do you have an idea for the next automation app to try out and decompose? I’m open to suggestions!