this post was submitted on 14 Jan 2024
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No it couldn’t. My washing machine cant connect to my network! I can’t think of a valid reason why I would even want that.
I can think of a very valid reason. I very often forget that I ran the washing machine, I'm already investigating how to send a notification to my phone or computer after it is done. Right now I am checking how much electricity it consumes and when it stops doing it. But a API would be nicer.
They sell clean/dirty indicator magnets for dishwashers for like $2.
What about a NFC tag that starts a timer on your phone?
On one hand, it would be nice for us to drop the smart plug here, but at least those can be entirely local-only. I highly doubt any device API would be local.
stick a bell onto it and take a moment to listen whenever you want to check.
To wake the baby up?
Have you considered setting an alarm on your phone?
I tried it with our dish washer, just to see what it's about. Turns out it's all about nothing. It's absolutely void of any useful functionality.
Yeah, I don't get it. I guess I can see the appeal of some "Internet Of Things" connected appliances, like smart fridges suggesting recipes and keeping track of stock and auto-populating shopping lists for you. I don't need that personally, but I can see why it could appeal to some people.
But things like washing machines and dishwashers? You need to be there in person to fill them up just before they're ready to go on, and to empty them when they're done. And when they're not turned on, they're sat there doing nothing. What "smart" functions can they even offer?
Notification that the cycle is finished and checking how much is left.
But that's about it.
And also providing more programs and options without having to tack on a full-colour LCD or anything like that. Pretty much just a cost saving measure on the manufacturing.
My washer has WiFi but I'm sure as hell not turning it on. It tells me how long the cycle will be a few minutes after it starts and I'll just set a timer on my phone - though most of the time I don't bother because I never have so many loads that time is important.
Oh, don't get me wrong. I had an LG washer and dryer with those "smart" features. Out of curiosity I tried it once. The app wanted every permission short of asking for my DNA and to be my power of attorney. And then once setup it just... barely worked. It was buggier than an ActiveX plugin running on IE5. I nuked the app off my phone and booted the LG's off the network and didn't touch the smart crap for the rest of the 5 years I had them.
💀
That's a big part of my confusion about this "feature".
How big a deal is it of you miss the end of the cycle by a few minutes? Or even an hour?
Most of the applications they are trying to cram IoT into are pretty pointless in the vast majority of cases.
Well, everyone is in a hurry sometimes; sometimes you suddenly realize you need a certain piece of clothing clean asap. I could see a notification being useful to busy parents with teenagers with a lot of laundry to be done. I've heard of families that do multiple loads every day.
The joke when I was a kid was the remote control toaster.
IoT, where the "S" stands for security...
Because it's advertised. That's why.
A remarkable (and actually concerning) percentage of people completely lack the critical thinking skills to question whether that's a good idea. The box says it has WiFi, WiFi is good, so I connect it to WiFi. Simple as that.