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Two new software updates make automating device tasks easier.
Google announced Create My Widget for its smartwatches.
Apple unveiled Describe a Shortcut last week.
There are tasks, chores, and activities we do each day that require repeating a certain set of annoying steps. Take going to the gym, for example. When I go to my gym, I have to ride the subway a few stops and pull up a barcode on my phone that the front desk scans to let me in.
Also: 10 useful smart home gadgets that make life so much easier (and are affordable)
A few months ago, I got sick of fumbling with my phone as I left the subway, so I created a Shortcut on my iPhone to open my gym's app. This was the first time I used the Shortcuts app, and while creating a custom shortcut for my specific need wasn't difficult, it wasn't easy or intuitive for someone unfamiliar with automation either.
First, you have to create a "Do" command. For this purpose, my command was to open my gym app. Then you have to go into the Automation tab, add a new Shortcut, and link a "When" (When I arrive at my gym's location) to a "Do" (Open my gym's app). Again, not difficult but not seamless.
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