Push Chrome extension automates hundreds of services

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

The Push extension for Google Chrome makes it easy to interact with over 500 online services. With it, you can quickly send letters, add notes and perform many other actions without leaving the open browser tab.

Push as part of the Zapier platform

Push is a browser-based version of the Zapier automation platform, which is a competitor to IFTTT.

Zapier works in much the same way as IFTTT. You register on the site and configure the so-called "zaps" - scenarios of interaction between different services. For example, you can connect Google Drive and Dropbox cloud storage and set up automatic copying of files from one cloud to another. As a result, when adding each new file, the system will backup it independently.

Push brings Zapier control to Google Chrome and expands the platform's capabilities. Previously, you could create scenarios for the interaction of different services that worked without your direct participation, as in the example with the clouds.

Now users have access to new types of scripts that can be run manually at the right time without leaving the browser tabs. This opens up rich opportunities for automating unplanned actions of the same type.

For example, if you suddenly need to send a letter, there is no need to go to Gmail and configure the parameters of a new message there. A couple of clicks in the Push menu within the current tab are enough.

How to work with Push

To use Push, you need to create a Zapier account and install the Chrome extension. After that, a button will appear in the browser to call the Push menu, from which it will be possible to launch all the scripts you have created for interacting with various services: send letters via Gmail, add cards to Trello, and so on.

On first launch, the menu will display a list of recommended scenarios and a button to create new ones.

Click on any of the recommended scenarios or on the Make a Push Zap! will take you to the Zapier website where you can customize one of the suggested options or create your own script. In any case, the system will guide you with detailed prompts.

In general, the process boils down to choosing a condition (Trigger) and actions (Action) that Zapier will perform when you meet the specified condition. For example, it will send the copied text or link to the smartphone in the format of a push notification as soon as you click the corresponding button.

All scripts created by the user with buttons to activate them are displayed in the Push menu. Thus, it turns into a universal dashboard that allows you to perform simple operations with a variety of connected services.

While the IFTTT platform has included native mobile apps for a long time, Zapier doesn't have them yet. But when it comes to the web, Zapier is leading the way, with a competitor yet to have a Chrome extension.

Examples of automation

Here are just a few of the hundreds of things you can do with other services using the Push extension.

• Add a task to Wunderlist, Todoist, Basecamp or another task manager.
• Send an email to the selected address via Gmail or add a new message template.
• Add an event to Google Calendar.
• Send a link or text to another device via the Pushbullet or Pushover apps.
• Add a note to Evernote.
• Send a post to Facebook, Slack, Twitter or other social service.

Tariffs and restrictions

Free Zapier account holders can save up to five different scenarios, and the service limits their use to 100 automated actions per month. In addition, without payment, users cannot connect all supported services to the platform and create multi-tier automation scripts. To remove these and other restrictions, you need to subscribe to one of the subscription options starting at $ 20 per month.