[iPhone] Why I, a lazy person, fully automated 'turning on Bluetooth only when drinking coffee'
When working from home, it is my daily routine to drink coffee with Nescafe's 'Barista'. However, this Barista has a minor hurdle: while brewing via the app offers benefits like
'earning points' and 'adjusting strength', it also requires 'Bluetooth connection'.
I usually keep Bluetooth off because I care about security and battery life.
Therefore, every time I drink coffee...
Turn on Bluetooth from iPhone settings (or Control Center)
Launch the Barista app and brew
Turn off Bluetooth after finishing the drink
...Honestly, it's a bit of a hassle.
I already use up my brain's resources on settlement procedures for my company (micro-corporation) and daily tasks, so I don't want to use my judgment for such 'unproductive switch operations'.
'Mental space = profit' is the lesson I've learned in my four years as a freelancer.
So, I used the iPhone's Shortcuts feature (Automation) to fully automate this 'connection ritual'.
This time, I will share the setup method and the logic behind why I go to such lengths to be particular about 'frequent ON/OFF'.
Conclusion: Let automation handle the 'automatic ON/OFF'
What I did is simple. I used Automation in the standard iPhone 'Shortcuts' app.
The setup logic is as follows.
When the Barista app is launched → Turn Bluetooth ON
When the Barista app is closed → Turn Bluetooth OFF
With this, all you have to do is open the app when you want to drink coffee.
It connects automatically, and when you finish and close the app, it disconnects automatically. There is zero physical operation.
This feeling of 'it handles everything in the background without me lifting a finger'. It's similar to the 'Gemini x GAS inventory management' I wrote about the other day, and I believe this 'invisible automation' is the key to protecting the precious brain resources of our generation.
Why is 'leaving it on' not good enough?
'Doesn't it make much of a difference to keep Bluetooth on all the time with today's smartphones?'
Some might think so. In fact, recent Bluetooth (BLE) is power-efficient.
However, there is a clear 'risk management' reason why I still insist on the 'ON only when using' behavior.
1. Eliminating security risks (tracking/hijacking)
This is the biggest reason.
Leaving Bluetooth constantly broadcasting is similar to 'leaving your house windows wide open' in terms of security.
Location tracking: The risk of your activity history being collected by beacons in the city, etc.
Vulnerability countermeasures: In the past, there were vulnerabilities like 'BlueBorne' that allowed hijacking without pairing.
Even though it is addressed by the OS, 'not emitting radio waves (physical disconnection)' is the best security.
As someone returning to an organization and entering a life of 'defense,' I don't want to leave unnecessary holes open in my private space at home.
2. The 'every little bit counts' battery and mental cost
Even if battery consumption is only '1-4% per day,' that's over 30% in a month.
It feels wrong to waste energy on features I'm not using.
And above all, the mistake of 'forgetting to switch it off and leaving it on while out'. This is subtly stressful.
With automation, 'closing the app = definitely OFF,' so I can free my brain from this 'worry about forgetting to switch it off.'
Setup procedure (3 minutes)
No complicated code is needed. Just tap away.
Open the 'Shortcuts' app
From the bottom tab, select 'Automation'
3. From the '+' in the top right, 'Create Personal Automation'
4. Select 'App' from the list
5. From 'Choose', select the 'Nescafe' app, and check 'Is Opened'
6. From 'New Shortcut', search for 'Set Bluetooth' -> set to 'On'
7. Turn off 'Ask Before Running' (this is important)
With this, the 'ON automation' is complete.
Similarly, if you add a setting to 'Is Closed' then 'Turn Bluetooth Off', the full automation is complete.
By the way: The 'old model' I use and the current model
(*The following includes promotions)
The reason I practice this life hack is actually because I have a quite old model (legacy version) Barista.
I have been using it heavily for many years, but thanks to this 'Bluetooth automation,' it works so comfortably that I can no longer find a reason to upgrade to the latest model.
The fact that it 'shows no signs of breaking' is, in a sense, the ultimate cost-performance.
For those considering introducing it, I think the current standard model, the 'Barista 50 (Fifty)', has a good balance of size and functionality.
If you do purchase one, please make sure it is a model equipped with Bluetooth functionality (though most current models should support it).
It is overwhelmingly cheaper than buying canned coffee every day, and overwhelmingly easier than making it with a drip. Once you experience it, you cannot go back.
Summary: Eliminating 'noise' with technology
Even a few switch operations every day result in hours of loss over the course of a year.
Use automation to make 'app launch = connection complete'.
Anxieties about security and battery can also be solved with a system.
When you reach your late 30s to 40s, the psychological barrier to trying new things inevitably rises.
That is precisely why you should actively adopt these 'systems that make life easier forever once set up'.
Whether it is a Barista or not, if you have Bluetooth devices that you 'only use at this time,' please give it a try.
It is subtle, but it will definitely improve your QOL.