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LG dryer traffic – 1GB+ daily up/down

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Re: LG dryer traffic – 1GB+ daily up/down

#31

Post by patrickwalton »

happypenguin wrote: post #21
EveYoung wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wouldn't be surprised if we get internet-only appliances soon, which charge customers on a pay-per-use basis. Considering the low margins on the average whitegoods, it could be an attractive business model to bundle the consumables with the hardware as part of a subscription/PAYG model. Or you could lockdown certain modes and temperatures behind a paywall. Similar how the car industry is already doing it.

Even worse, let's apply the non network neutrality argument: the washer won't work without certain "licensed" detergents sold as for the safety of the washer (some claim about harm of the device from the wrong detergent). Consumers need to outright reject these attempts by manufacturers. Is there risk that some appliances already put some sort of timer chip and stop working after some time? Kind of the HP inkjet busi…

NPR just did a show on consumers fighting back against the HP Inkjet model

https://www.npr.org/2021/02/17/968704526/why-printers-are-th...

Re: LG dryer traffic – 1GB+ daily up/down

#32

Post by yunohn »

llampx wrote: post #23
happypenguin wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

When done well it provides more than just toggling a switch on your phone. Examples are timers for lights to say turn on outdoor lights at dusk. Turning on thr garage light when the garage door opens. Double tapping the switch by thr front door to turn off all lights in your home. I'd like to think that shunning home automation isn't the answer, rather demanding open protocols and no internet connection required, suc…

I'm no expert but these appliances don't seem to be very programmable. For example, can I set the living room bulbs to be white in the day, gradually turn yellower throughout the evening and red at night? To me it just seems like going from a dimmer switch on the wall to an app on a phone is being heralded as a revolution, when it isn't.

It sounds like you haven’t used any automation systems. You can do exactly that (and more) with the most popular smart light - Philips Hue. Other brands can as well.

Re: LG dryer traffic – 1GB+ daily up/down

#33

Post by starky »

patrickwalton wrote: post #29
oftenwrong wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Home automation seems to mainly achieve "low low benefits". Like turning on a light from your phone instead of using a light switch. These things make some minor conveniences possible, but don't come close to being essential. It doesn't seem worth it for the privacy, security, management overhead, cost, etc.

I was able to add dimming capability to the lights in my rented apartment where it wasn't available before using smart lights. That was a pretty big benefit to me.

The dimming is nice, but the feature I like that makes it completely worth it for me is that the lights slowly turn on automatically at sunset.

Re: LG dryer traffic – 1GB+ daily up/down

#34

Post by nonameiguess »

patrickwalton wrote: post #29
oftenwrong wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Home automation seems to mainly achieve "low low benefits". Like turning on a light from your phone instead of using a light switch. These things make some minor conveniences possible, but don't come close to being essential. It doesn't seem worth it for the privacy, security, management overhead, cost, etc.

I was able to add dimming capability to the lights in my rented apartment where it wasn't available before using smart lights. That was a pretty big benefit to me.

This doesn't require a network connection, just a dimmer switch. Note that these generally won't work with smart lights, so you need a dimmer switch and dumb bulbs.

Unless you're saying because it is rented, the landlord won't allow you to install your own switches, though I'm not sure why they'd care as long as you restore it before moving out. I own rental properties and would definitely allow tenants to do that. Hell, I'd even do it for them if they asked.

Re: LG dryer traffic – 1GB+ daily up/down

#35

Post by oftenwrong »

nonameiguess wrote: post #34
patrickwalton wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was able to add dimming capability to the lights in my rented apartment where it wasn't available before using smart lights. That was a pretty big benefit to me.

This doesn't require a network connection, just a dimmer switch. Note that these generally won't work with smart lights, so you need a dimmer switch and dumb bulbs. Unless you're saying because it is rented, the landlord won't allow you to install your own switches, though I'm not sure why they'd care as long as you restore it before moving out. I own rental properties and would definitely allow tenants to do that. H…

I have installed my own switches in rentals. For example, I installed a timer switch for a vent fan in my last apartment. Very easy to undo when it comes time to move, if necessary.

Re: LG dryer traffic – 1GB+ daily up/down

#36

Post by posixplz »

krageon wrote: post #16
breakingcups wrote: post #13

What worries me is that soon we won't be able to monitor this anymore because these devices won't be dependent on a customer-supplied internet connection anymore. Instead, they'll all have cellular connectivity and we'll have no idea what is being sent, to whom and why. And I fear that there will be no device manufacturers in the same price range left that don't include this feature. Similar to how Smart TV's are che…

> have cellular connectivity Then you'll get local shops that sell the machines painted in 2-3 layers of faraday paint (or apply some sort of cage, or solder out the antenna, etc). Or perhaps just like in the old console hardmod days everyone will know someone that can "mod" your dryer so it stops being dumb and just dries your clothes.

FYI, RF paints are poor signal attenuators, even when applied in multiple coats. There’s no RF paint product that can stop commercial cell communication across usable spectrum.

Re: LG dryer traffic – 1GB+ daily up/down

#37

Post by tanseydavid »

Red_Leaves_Flyy wrote: post #19
theriddlr wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thermomix locks a few features behind a subscription. "Subscription-only features include caramelization, slow cooking, and frying." https://www.thespruceeats.com/thermomix-tm6-review-4693221

I know I'm going to be wrong, but I really hope this is peak rent seeking.

I feel exactly the same way.

Non-geek friends are always shocked that I do not typically want additional new tech-stuff in my life unless the payoff is very high.

Novel and interesting are not sufficient on their own.

I am immersed in layers of technology (and poorly-thought-out Authentication schemes) everyday for 10-12 hours and it presents a noticeable amount of frustration.

I rarely am looking for more of it. I am pretty sure I don't want my dryer on my network.

Re: LG dryer traffic – 1GB+ daily up/down

#38

Post by tanseydavid »

tdy_err wrote: post #5
ovi256 wrote: post #4

This sucks. Why connect random ownable devices to your network, especially for the low low benefit of ... knowing when the clothes' drier is done ?!? Connected firmware updatable white goods allow appliance manufacturers to do even less QA because they can always fix it later, which wasn't possible before. If you're the paranoid who won't connect random crap to the net, this is bad news, as you'll get lower quality a…

I did know true exhilaration until I turned on my dryer light remotely

"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic"

Re: LG dryer traffic – 1GB+ daily up/down

#39

Post by oftenwrong »

happypenguin wrote: post #20
oftenwrong wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Home automation seems to mainly achieve "low low benefits". Like turning on a light from your phone instead of using a light switch. These things make some minor conveniences possible, but don't come close to being essential. It doesn't seem worth it for the privacy, security, management overhead, cost, etc.

When done well it provides more than just toggling a switch on your phone. Examples are timers for lights to say turn on outdoor lights at dusk. Turning on thr garage light when the garage door opens. Double tapping the switch by thr front door to turn off all lights in your home. I'd like to think that shunning home automation isn't the answer, rather demanding open protocols and no internet connection required, suc…

Some of these things can be achieved with lower-tech sensors.

Outdoor lights with light or motion sensors are common.

Garage lights typically turn on automatically when the garage door opens. If you mean the human-sized door to the garage, light bulbs with built-in motion sensors are available; I have used those in entryways and in closets. I don't have a garage, but if I did it would be nice to be able to close it remotely if I forgot to.

I have also installed timer switches to make sure things like vent fans for the shower do not stay on longer than necessary.

Switching all lights at once is nifty if you live in a large home. I have a small home, so it's quite trivial to turn off all of the lights.

For myself, I just don't think it's worth it to setup more sophisticated automation at this time. For one, I rent. Second, of all of the inconveniences in my life, these are at the bottom of the list.

One of the best minor conveniences I addressed recently was getting a larger-volume soap dispenser so that I have to refill it less often.

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