Flic is a smart button that controls your favorite apps

Wouldn’t it be nice if there were an actual Staples Easy Button? Well, the team at Shortcut Labs may have devised the next best thing: Flic.

Flic is super simple, stylish and smart button that allows you to create a shortcut for up to three of your everyday tasks so that you no longer constantly need to reach for your device. And for those who are spooked at the mere thought of transitioning from a flip phone, the smart gizmo makes the functionalities of smartphone apps accessible to everyone — even your grandmother.

The quarter-sized button communicates with your mobile device through BLE. Once the Flic is set up and affixed to any surface, a user simply presses the button to carry out any programmed action without having to touch their phone. Think of the possibilities people! From remotely activating your camera, to snoozing your alarm, to blasting tunes, to taking the ultimate selfie, to texting loved ones, to even locating your smartphone when misplaced.

Driver safety also comes first with Flic. Rather than sifting through your pockets or gazing down into the crevices of your seats to locate your device, the button can perform its typical functions like launching a highlighted route or notifying your spouse that you’re leaving the office.

Flic can also serve as your lifeline in the case of an emergency. With just a single click, Flic can enable friends or family members to monitor your walk home via the phone’s GPS location, or more importantly, easily sound the alarm and send an S.O.S. alert.

Have a connected house? Flic lets users control each of their smart home units — including switching your Philips Hue lights on/off, warming the water on your Honeywell Evohome, or arming your SmartThings lock.

Flic works up to 150 feet away from your device, and will last up to five years or 60,000 clicks, whichever comes first. The project has currently garnered over $215,000 in pledges on Indiegogo, well over its initial goal of $80,000. Pending all goes well, the team anticipates units will ship by March 2015.