Tech makers seem to be convinced that control panel chic is the next big thing in interior design. Logitech follows in the footsteps of Amazon Dash, Philips Hue Tap and Flic to launch another internet-connected switch competing for room on your walls. Intending to be the button to beat, the Logitech Pop can be programmed to control not one, but three individual gadgets or so-called ‘recipes’ allowing you to trigger a string of smart devices at once. For instance, with a single press of your Pop, you can close your blinds, dim the lights and start watching Netflix on your TV.
While Logitech does assume you already have your home decked out in Internet of Things doohickeys, it doesn’t tie you into one platform. Instead The Pop plays well with a wide range of connected tech from Sonos speakers to August smart locks with no preference over Philips Hue or LIFX, Belkin Wemo or Samsung Smart Things. Setting up the Pop with your various devices is also simple, once you’ve downloaded a free companion app for your phone it will scan your home and tell you what gadgets it can control and which ones can be linked together.
However, in there lies the rub. There was nothing we couldn’t do with the Pop that we couldn’t do with an app on our phone. While the Logitech Pop app does a great job of amalgamating all of our smart devices in one place, this was no different to the built-in Home app on iOS while the recipes concept has infinite more options using IFTTT. Ultimately, it’s just easier to whip your phone out of your pocket than walk over to a wall and press a button (hence, why we bought internet-connected lights in the first place). That is, of course, if you live there. If you have children or regular visitors, the button is much simpler than having to give them your Wi-Fi password or asking them to download app just to turn your bathroom lights on.
Logitech Pop vs Flic
As we mentioned, there are lots of smart buttons out there now, but the one Logitech’s Pop Home Switch most resembles is former crowdfunding darling Flic. They both work the same way, connecting with your phone to set triggers and both only work with up to three devices. They are both compatible with the same devices and platforms. Flic also works with Zapier’s online automation tool for added control over web services. This would seemingly give Flic the advantage, except they’ve been going since 2014 and the Pop is brand new. Who’s to say how many more partnerships Logitech could form with other manufacturers in two years if the Pop Switch proves popular?
However, Flic is smaller than the Pop and double as a wearable, so you can use to control Spotify and Runkeeper when jogging. Flic is also slightly cheaper as it doesn’t require a Wi-Fi bridge, so is priced more along the lines of the Pop Add-Ons, cost $34 for one or $100 for a multi-pack of buttons. For more information on Flic, see flic.io
The Logitech Pop Home Switch Starter Pack costs £120/$100. For more information on The O, visit logitech.com .
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