September 2, 2020, 1:10 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
With the press of a button, you can simultaneously turn on the lights, open the blinds, and activate the coffee machine. This will soon be possible with Ikea’s programmable Shortcut Button. The Swedish furniture maker is adding another component to its smart home lineup. Now, there are first images showing the button.
Smart products are designed to make homes as comfortable as possible. Many manufacturers are currently flooding the market with products that can be remotely controlled via apps, voice commands, or buttons. Ikea is also jumping on the trend, expanding its smart Trådfri line with a programmable switch. The launch of the Shortcut Button in Germany is planned for February 2020, as a company spokesperson told myHOMEBOOK. However, you can already get a first impression with images of the switch.
Trådfri Outlet Now Available in Germany
Update from September 2, 2020: It took a long time, but the Trådfri outlet is now available in Germany. It is already available in some Ikea stores and can also be ordered online. The cost is 9.75 euros. The launch was originally planned for April 2019, then postponed to February 2020. With the new outlet in Ikea’s range, conventional devices can be integrated into the smart network. Additionally, it can help save electricity, as the device is only powered when in use.
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This Is What Ikea’s New Trådfri Switch Looks Like
There are now official images showing the Ikea product, which is set to launch in this country in February 2020. This is what the smart switch looks like:
Ikea Trådfri–Smart Control at the Push of a Button
The idea behind the Shortcut Button is simple yet well thought out. It fits well with the overall Ikea concept. “With the Shortcut Button of the Ikea Trådfri series, desired scenes can be programmed and activated without a smartphone,” explains Ikea spokesperson Kim Steuerwald in response to a myHOMEBOOK inquiry. “Lights, music, and other ‘Ikea Home Smart’ products can be turned on and off together–even across different rooms.”
The smart switch of the Trådfri series, which also includes remote controls, motion sensors, and LED lamps, is programmable via an app. For example, you can turn off all the lights in the apartment with one button press in the evening or turn them on in the morning. “To use the button, a Trådfri Gateway and the ‘IKEA Home Smart’ app are required,” says Steuerwald.
Since various devices can be connected to the switch simultaneously, users can program, activate, and deactivate so-called scenes. Color-coordinated lighting moods are also possible with the corresponding lamps, similar to Philips Hue or Osram Lightify.
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Things to Know About Ikea’s Trådfri Button
Update from February 10, 2020: The Shortcut Button was originally supposed to be available in Germany from February 2020. However, the launch is still delayed, as a company spokesperson explained to myHOMEBOOK. First, an update to the Ikea smart home app needs to be rolled out. “We want to ensure that our software updates always meet the highest quality standards and have therefore decided to postpone the rollout of these features until further notice,” explains spokesperson Kim Steuerwald. When the Trådfri Button will actually be available in Germany is currently unknown.
The product is already available in the Netherlands. There has been an entry with the U.S. regulatory agency FCC for some time. The switch will be available in Germany for six euros.
In summary, the intelligent button is not a new invention by Ikea. Rather, it completes the smart home range in which the furniture store is currently investing. Similar buttons are available from a variety of manufacturers, though sometimes of questionable quality. The price range for the Trådfri series button is yet to be determined.