Around the House
There are quite a few fun ideas for the Pi-mote around the internet. Some more obvious projects involve controlling things like Christmas lights, air conditioners, heaters, etc. Other, more complicated projects involve scheduling pool pumps or household lights while on vacation. With some effort and knowhow, one could develop a system which monitors soil moisture and executes a watering routine when appropriate. While not enough to convert one's residence to a full 'smart home', the Pi-mote is certainly useful in such an endeavor. By automating power, or adding remote capabilities to appliances which normally lack such options, one opens an entire world of possibilities.Web Interfaces/Mobile Control
A fantastic, and not particularly difficult to implement, idea that some have taken to is controlling the Pi-motes with their smartphones. This can be done by creating a simple website, as seen in this tutorial. Following Penguin Tutor's tutorial, one can ultimately connect to a custom web interface by browsing to their Pi's IP address. This will only work while on the same wireless network as the Pi itself, but makes it possible to control outlets quickly and easily through a phone or laptop. The benefit of this is that it allows for custom power control from anywhere in one's home. If one sets up their website to allow for multiple outlets to be controlled through a single button, they can then control intricate power setups through their phones. One can activate and deactivate speakers and televisions from anywhere, as well as air conditioning units, lights, and pretty much anything else they desire.Broader Thinking With the Pi-Mote
Perhaps the most interesting project I have come upon so far stems from a software developer named Timmy O'Mahony. This individual has set-up a system wherein a power switch is briefly activated when a specific hashtag is tweeted. This illustrates just how many uses exist for this product, given a bit of ingenuity and know-how. To preface this project's explanation, they explain:"A programmable remote power outlet switch is a great way to control a huge number of interactive installations and projects: turn on your garden water sprinklers with an SMS, play a horn when you receive a Tweet, turn on a light when your website goes down, start playing music when you enter the room … there are endless possibilities." -Timmy O'Mahony
To follow his line of thought, perhaps a YouTuber could set up a speaker to turn on and play a brief sound effect whenever they receive a new subscriber. On the other hand, one could set up their home's appliances to activate whenever a specific text is sent out. A sprinkler, as O'Mahony suggests, is one option- another might be starting a group of party lights. Perhaps the party lights group could include a speaker setup which starts simultaneously, making party preparation a breeze. In reality, the applications are wide-reaching and limited mostly by imagination.
