This article was first published in the September 2015 issue of WIRED magazine. Be the first to read WIRED's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing online
Shortcut Labs' Flic button lets you remotely control features on your smartphone. A forum for creative suggestions for the $39 (£25) IoT device during its Indiegogo campaign threw up some imaginitive uses. Here are four we like.
Privacy
Left something NSFW open on your device, or forgot to shut the payment page for your partner's present? One click of the Flic and you could instantly erase your browser's history and open WIRED.co.uk.
Security
Shortcut turned the Flic into a panic button for older people to activate if they fell. But one forum member suggested a twist for those in trouble: one click sends your GPS location and calls for help.
Romance
Want to turn your bedroom into a romantic love shack? According to this popular idea, a quick click of the Flic would tweak the lights to a seductive red hue and start playing Marvin Gaye's smoochy classic "Let's Get It On".
Home
Make your smart home even smarter by linking your networked household devices to different Flics around the house. Feeling a bit cold? Hit a Flic twice to turn the heating up. Getting home late? Tap a Flic to turn the lights on.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
