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Amazon Introduces $20 Dash-Like Button For IoT (slashgear.com)

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the interesting-stuff dept.

An anonymous reader shares a Slashgear article: Amazon has revealed a programmable Dash Button which can be assigned to any product or purpose, a customizable version of its one-touch reordering gadgets. The AWS IoT Button looks just like the existing Dash Buttons, which allow products from more than 100 brands to be ordered with a single tap -- no web browser required -- and delivered to a preset address, but is designed for developers and Internet of Things tinkerers to dig into. So, rather than having a new multipack of toilet rolls, or a fresh box of laundry detergent added to your shopping list, the AWS IoT Button could be used to trigger your lights, integrate with popular APIs from Twitter, Slack, Facebook, or others, or summon a car through Uber.It appears Amazon has already sold out its current batch.

15 of 52 comments (clear)

  1. For all of you who are INCREDIBLY lazy by NotDrWho · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...and also don't have a cat.

    --
    SJW's don't eliminate discrimination. They just expropriate it for themselves.
  2. Perfect! by bistromath007 · · Score: 2

    Who needs an Arduino or some shit like that? It's such a hassle programming one to be a light switch that sends telemetry data to Amazon on my own.

    1. Re:Perfect! by zlives · · Score: 2

      actually, they already have your data from buying from amazon. what this does is lock you in to amazon so you never have to think about supporting your local stores at all.

  3. Meh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    It's trivially easy to hack these things without going through sketchy amazon IoT services.

    https://github.com/dekuNukem/Amazon_Dash_Button

  4. Pointless by U2xhc2hkb3QgU3Vja3M · · Score: 5, Informative

    I've read on the website that the battery cannot be replaced or recharged and that the life expectation is around 1000 button presses.

    It's fine if you only push the button once a week to order something regularly (lasts a bit over 19 years) but for IoT usage it's not going to last nearly long enough for anything useful.

    1. Re:Pointless by stephanruby · · Score: 4, Funny

      I've read on the website that the battery cannot be replaced or recharged and that the life expectation is around 1000 button presses.

      It's fine if you only push the button once a week to order something regularly (lasts a bit over 19 years) but for IoT usage it's not going to last nearly long enough for anything useful.

      The solution is easy. You get yourself a meta button, basically a second button to order new buttons.

      And voila, you have yourself a self-sustaining recursive solution.

    2. Re:Pointless by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

      Apparently it's just a AAA battery spot welded in place. Just cutoff the metal tabs holding the battery in place and solder in some springy tabs from an old device and 3D print a new removable bottom cover. Simple!

  5. YES! by Eyezen · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I can push a button to turn on my lights! I've always wanted to do that.

  6. Re:Why not call it the ISIS button? by NotDrWho · · Score: 2

    It's also good for when there is something strange in your neighborhood, and you're wondering who you gonna call.

    --
    SJW's don't eliminate discrimination. They just expropriate it for themselves.
  7. Built-in obsolescence? by Yggdrasil42 · · Score: 4, Informative

    "The battery should last for approximately 1,000 presses. When the device battery runs out of charge, there is no way to recharge or replace the battery."

  8. Dash by Livius · · Score: 2

    a programmable Dash Button which can be assigned to any product or purpose

    Also known as a 'button'.

    1. Re:Dash by Ksevio · · Score: 2

      A button with wifi and no power usage when not pressed.

  9. Re:This already exists by Ksevio · · Score: 3, Informative

    Even easier than blocking it, you can just not set up the button to buy anything when pressed. When you first get it you have to select which product to buy so just don't do that step.

  10. Doorbell button by omnichad · · Score: 2

    Would make a great wireless doorbell button, if you could get in there and make the battery easily replaced.

  11. Meh by wwalker · · Score: 2

    You can get an Arduino Mini board with WiFi module for less than $10 total and have as many buttons as you like, and a replaceable/rechargeable battery. It won't be as small though.