GE Appliances is cementing its status as a mobile-first appliance manufacturer by rolling out three new channels on the IFTTT application, suggesting its IoT-focused ploy will fuel more consumers to adopt smart home technology.

GE is broadening its presence on the If This Then That app, which enables users to create ?recipes,? or connections, between a slew of different apps. The appliance brand?s new channels offer additional functionality for its washer, dryer and dishwasher units, allowing consumers to set up cause-and-effect reactions for their appliances while away from their homes.

?Everything is moving towards the connected consumer and GE is a huge part of the ecosystem,? said Jon Squire, founder and CEO of CardFree. ?It is smart to be at the forefront of the connected home as we've already seen the likes of Google, Apple and Amazon toss their hats into the ring.?

Smart home tech keeps growing
GE is doubling its presence on IFTTT by jumping from three apps ? also called channels ? to six, making the brand the first appliance manufacturer to roll out its entire product suite on the platform.

Although GE has been collaborating with IFTTT since June of last year, the appliance maker is giving consumers more control over their smart home devices by rolling out new channels for its washer, dryer and dishwasher units. 

IFTTT users will now be able to link their appliances to more than 100 other connected devices and apps, and trigger a chain reaction of commands.

For example, individuals can indicate they would like to receive an alert on their Android Wear smartwatch when the oven timer goes off, or request the app to flash the Philips Hue smart lights when the oven finishes cooking.

GE believes that introducing its full suite of products on the IFTTT app will help consumers keep up with their home appliances and inject more convenience into their lives.

Users can now build endless combinations of commands on IFTTT, which lets them tailor their experiences in a way that best suits their lifestyles.

GE Appliances currently has more than 400 connected users leveraging the multiple IFTTT channels, culminating in over 3,000 recipes being made each week.

Opening the door to IoT
GE?s customers may become more compelled to delve deeper into the Internet of Things and experiment with a variety of connected devices following the rollout of these new channels. The integration also helps consumers stay more independent, as they will be able to use their smartphones to virtually control many aspects of their homes.

IFTTT users can opt to use GE?s already-created channels, or develop their own recipes based on the smart home devices they own.

With so many brands making waves in connected technology ? such as the plethora of marketers teaming up with Amazon Alexa ? consumers are bound to become more likely to undertake quicker adoption of smart home devices as they roll out to the market.

A Sears Holdings executive at eTail West 2016 discussed how the retailer is foraying into sales of smart home devices by creating demand among homeowners unsure of how the products may benefit their lives (see story).

Meanwhile, GE is not the only brand tapping IFTTT?s constant state of connectivity.

Supermarket chain Tesco has also teamed up IFTTT to automatically update shoppers? virtual carts by prompting them to sign up for various triggers ? such as product price changes ? to add the appropriate item when the specified parameters are met (see story).

?Working with, rather than against, the pioneers will help everyone gain comfort with this level of tech in the house,? Mr. Squire said. ?Imagine a world in which Alexa can turn on the dishwasher while pre-heating your oven, and you've got a pretty compelling reason to spend up for a GE connected product.?