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Amazon Dash now useful for more than shopping for big name brands

Amazon Dash, the connected button platform that allows simple reordering of products, have proved useful to those who’re slaves to the major brands.

However, we’ve often wondered just how much more useful they’d be if Amazon let them off the leash for ordering custom products or carrying out custom tasks.

In a way, we have our wish today with the launch of the AWS IoT button that’s designed for use with the growing Internet of Things sector.

Related: Amazon Dash: The end of dashing to the shops?

Instead of allowing you to stock up on toilet roll and razorblades, the IoT Dash button can be programmed to control smart light bulbs, open applications or even hail a ride through Uber.

Any task can be assigned to the buttons, from sending out tweets, to messaging friends to counting things like the number of glasses of water consumed in a day.

“You can code the button’s logic in the cloud to configure button clicks to count or track items, call or alert someone, start or stop something, order services, or even provide feedback,” Amazon said.

“For example, you can click the button to unlock or start a car, open your garage door, call a cab, call your spouse or a customer service representative, track the use of common household chores, medications or products, or remotely control your home appliances.”

The IoT Dash Button will cost $20 (about £14) and will begin shipping in the US on May 15.

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