The new AWS IoT Button can control your car, other home devices

When Amazon Dash Buttons were first launched in March last year, their usability and sustainability were bore in question. But Amazon seems to be expanding its Dash Button announcing the AWS IoT (Amazon Web Services Internet of Things) for developers. Dash Button AWS IoT is fully customizable button that uses single press or combination of presses to execute commands. Until now, the buttons have been used to help people reorder specific items such as toilet paper or a laundry detergent. But this time, the cloud behemoth has tried to expand the reach to tap one of the fast evolving space- Internet of Things. The post presents the AWS IoT button as easy to configure. The AWS IoT button is a developer kit that can be programmed to control internet-connected devices and services. This programmable Wi-Fi button helps developers learn how to use AWS IoT, AWS Lambda, Amazon DynamoDB, Amazon Simple Notification Service and other Amazon Web Services.

“The button can be used as a remote control for Netflix, a switch for your Philips Hue light bulb, a check-in/check-out device for Airbnb guests, or a way to order your favorite pizza for delivery,” said Amazon in the announcement.

Amazon says that the new button can unlock or start cars, open garage doors, call a cab, call people, track the use of household chores, medications or products, or control home appliances as if people were using a remote control.

“Put that all together, and you’re looking at an Internet of Things that’s powered by Amazon’s cloud, with a repurposed Dash Button as the sole interface”.

The AWS IoT Button, similar to the Dash Button, only has an active life of about 1,000 presses though, as the device’s battery will run out by then. For roughly $20, users can purchase the new AWS IoT Button, which has run out of stock now after less than a day in the market. Although the AWS IoT Button continues to enhance shopping experiences allowing products from more than 100 brands to be ordered and delivered to a preset address, it opens new opportunities for developers and Internet of Things tinkerers to dig into.

“Connect it to things we haven’t even thought of yet. We can’t wait to see what you will build with the AWS IoT Button,” Amazon says.

This newly designed button also integrates with third-party APIs like Twitter, Facebook, Twilio, Slack or company applications. So now developers can connect it to things we haven’t even thought of yet. A steep lean towards developers would help Amazon learn how they can effectively use the company’s different cloud services, including its “IoT” offering that powers Internet of Things devices.