Our fridge just emailed us to say we opened its door too many times • Hacker News Board

Re: Our fridge just emailed us to say we opened its door too many times

#191

Post by satellite2 » Fri, Sep 10, 2021, 1:59 PM UTC

snthd wrote: post #183

satellite2 wrote: post #175

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would like to buy a smart scale because I think the data it provides would be really useful to me. So in my case the smart gimmick really is the feature I want. Unfortunately I price my weight data very differently than they do, so unless they pay me multiple tens of thousands of dollars I would not agree for it to send the data it collect. Unfortunately there is no such smart scale. So I would add to your list a 5…

https://github.com/oliexdev/openScale/wiki/Supported-scales-... (Not that it detracts from your point about the market).

That's great! Thank God there is open source.

It's funny how open source started as "the manufacturer is too lazy to support my use case" and now is becoming "the manufacturer is too greedy / cannot be trusted"

Re: Our fridge just emailed us to say we opened its door too many times

#192

Post by Moto7451 » Fri, Sep 10, 2021, 1:59 PM UTC

leetcrew wrote: post #167

MarkusWandel wrote: post #134

I recently bought a 32" 4K monitor. Two different models were at at that point inexpensive enough to tempt me. A smart one, and different brand, dumb one for $50 more. I bought the latter. I'm happy. The market decides, right? What is actually happening here? 1. Most people actually like this overdone gimmickry? 2. Most people think they will like it, buy it and then get sick of it? Thus people like me, who seek out…

what exactly is a "smart" monitor? I'm familiar with smart TVs, but I can't see how any of those features could be useful in a screen that I plug directly into a computer.

I use a Smart TV as a monitor. I also have a walk/run treadmill where the guards fold down to work as a walking desk treadmill. When I want to get a run in I switch my monitor to the TV side, pull the treadmill out a foot, pull the guard up, and run a 5K.

Re: Our fridge just emailed us to say we opened its door too many times

#193

Post by ljm » Fri, Sep 10, 2021, 2:02 PM UTC

codesections wrote: post #144

MarkusWandel wrote: post #134

I recently bought a 32" 4K monitor. Two different models were at at that point inexpensive enough to tempt me. A smart one, and different brand, dumb one for $50 more. I bought the latter. I'm happy. The market decides, right? What is actually happening here? 1. Most people actually like this overdone gimmickry? 2. Most people think they will like it, buy it and then get sick of it? Thus people like me, who seek out…

> 3. Most people would prefer not to have it, but due to a free market failure, the ungimmicked product just isn't available any more? No, I'd go with (4) people would prefer not to have it, but companies know that they can monitize the data they collect[0] and thus are willing to offer a discount that's large enough to get people (who may or may not know about the data collection) to buy the smart™ version. [0]: htt…

5) people can't afford the unburdened tech so they will go for the lowest-priced/highest reviewed option and nothing else matters

Re: Our fridge just emailed us to say we opened its door too many times

#194

Post by FpUser » Fri, Sep 10, 2021, 2:03 PM UTC

kadoban wrote: post #177

FpUser wrote: post #132

I was sort of shocked when I went to buy some gizmo for my car on Amazon and it told me that this particular one will not fit my particular car make and model. Other than whatever is required by law I never told any company about what car if any I own.

Someone on your account likely chose it from the options for a previous item, it remembers those choices.

I do not share my account with anyone and this was my first and last ever car related purchase on Amazon

Re: Our fridge just emailed us to say we opened its door too many times

#195

Post by nimbius » Fri, Sep 10, 2021, 2:03 PM UTC

somewhat offtopic but for those looking to get a 'dumb' fridge (or any other kitchen/laundry appliance) your city probably has a small appliances shop that will sell you most of a kitchen for a bargain.

these are used ranges, freezers, washers/dryers that are fully serviced and in many cases come with a warranty from the shop.

Re: Our fridge just emailed us to say we opened its door too many times

#196

Post by only_as_i_fall » Fri, Sep 10, 2021, 2:05 PM UTC

satellite2 wrote: post #175

MarkusWandel wrote: post #134

I recently bought a 32" 4K monitor. Two different models were at at that point inexpensive enough to tempt me. A smart one, and different brand, dumb one for $50 more. I bought the latter. I'm happy. The market decides, right? What is actually happening here? 1. Most people actually like this overdone gimmickry? 2. Most people think they will like it, buy it and then get sick of it? Thus people like me, who seek out…

I would like to buy a smart scale because I think the data it provides would be really useful to me. So in my case the smart gimmick really is the feature I want. Unfortunately I price my weight data very differently than they do, so unless they pay me multiple tens of thousands of dollars I would not agree for it to send the data it collect. Unfortunately there is no such smart scale. So I would add to your list a 5…

The mi scales can be set up to have smart features locally.

Only caveat is that you need to use the app for initial setup and of course this assumes there isn't any kind of undisclosed antenna nonsense.

Re: Our fridge just emailed us to say we opened its door too many times

#197

Post by caymanjim » Fri, Sep 10, 2021, 2:06 PM UTC

hellbannedguy wrote: post #189

caymanjim wrote: post #140

I have a semi-related anecdote about surprises from devices. I use a CPAP. After a year, I went back to the doctor for a followup, and was asked to bring the SD card so they could review the data it collects. The device records the times and duration of use, various settings, and some metrics on breathing (apnea events, etc). I knew it recorded this stuff on an SD card. I brought the card to the appointment, but the…

In this case I'm on the fence. Say you are not breathing, and the machine is working, but not up to manufacture's specs. They have the data. They should inform you of a malfunctioning machine? Since they have the data, it's incumbent on them to inform you of the state of the malfunctioning cpac machine? If they don't get back informing you of a faulty machine, a lawyer could subpoena those cell phone records/data? An…

They don't do any of those things (at least not for me; there's a sibling reply where someone was harassed for non-compliance). If I don't use the device, no one contacts me. I lost power a few times and couldn't use it; I pulled a couple all-nighters over the years; I left it behind on a weekend trip once; I had a stretch of sleeping problems where I didn't sleep more than a couple hours a night for a week; I adjusted the device outside the doctor's parameters; I had innumerable problems with poor mask fit/leaks. All these metrics were broadcast by the CPAP, and all would have been a concern of my doctor, but it's got nothing to do with patient health. This is all about gathering evidence to deny future care, whether it be new equipment or coverage for more extreme situations related to non-compliance.

Re: Our fridge just emailed us to say we opened its door too many times

#198

Post by only_as_i_fall » Fri, Sep 10, 2021, 2:07 PM UTC

Spooky23 wrote: post #178

MarkusWandel wrote: post #134

I recently bought a 32" 4K monitor. Two different models were at at that point inexpensive enough to tempt me. A smart one, and different brand, dumb one for $50 more. I bought the latter. I'm happy. The market decides, right? What is actually happening here? 1. Most people actually like this overdone gimmickry? 2. Most people think they will like it, buy it and then get sick of it? Thus people like me, who seek out…

People line up at 4AM to get a garbage TV from Walmart on Black Friday. It’s a commodity and people only care about price. It’s a crowded marketplace, and the only way to eke out margin is better quality and/or features. For TVs, people in general give no shits about panel quality/color/etc, and volume shipment of better stuff is costly. But people love features, and bolting on software enhances margins at no or low…

Smart TV baffle me because their software is always garbage and even non-tech people can tell its garbage. I've never seen someone happy with the OS in their television and most people use an external box anyway. Yet every TV must be wifi compatible with a bunch of shifty streaming apps bolted on.

Re: Our fridge just emailed us to say we opened its door too many times

#199

Post by moftz » Fri, Sep 10, 2021, 2:10 PM UTC

fennecfoxen wrote: post #125

thrwyoilarticle wrote: post #86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I use Google Maps via Android Auto. Sometimes I like to take a more scenic route, so I'll say: 'OK Google, avoid motorways' And it will route me past anything officially called a motorway, sadly not including the A roads that are very similar. Eventually I might decide I want to proceed more quickly, so I'll say: 'OK Google, use motorways' At which point it will perform a Google search and read out the first result,…

doot dee doot, it's labor day weekend, and I'm using Apple maps to navigate instead of Google (it's easier to activate via voice). The low-fuel light turns on while cruising along an unfamiliar stretch of highway, just as I'm finishing an interchange as I leave the dense city and head through its suburbia. I'm not quite sure of whether to expect service plazas, or just-off-exit-ramp gas stations, or what. I've seen g…

Waze has been pretty good at finding gas stations along my route and organizing them by distance from me and distance from my route. Like it would show a gas station 2 miles off the highway from the next exit but it will also list out a gas station that is 15 miles away right off the highway. Either option is up to you based on how much time you want to waste versus how soon you need gas.

Re: Our fridge just emailed us to say we opened its door too many times

#200

Post by curryst » Fri, Sep 10, 2021, 2:10 PM UTC

codesections wrote: post #144

MarkusWandel wrote: post #134

I recently bought a 32" 4K monitor. Two different models were at at that point inexpensive enough to tempt me. A smart one, and different brand, dumb one for $50 more. I bought the latter. I'm happy. The market decides, right? What is actually happening here? 1. Most people actually like this overdone gimmickry? 2. Most people think they will like it, buy it and then get sick of it? Thus people like me, who seek out…

> 3. Most people would prefer not to have it, but due to a free market failure, the ungimmicked product just isn't available any more? No, I'd go with (4) people would prefer not to have it, but companies know that they can monitize the data they collect[0] and thus are willing to offer a discount that's large enough to get people (who may or may not know about the data collection) to buy the smart™ version. [0]: htt…

Nail on the head.

I think the gimmickry exists as a facade to give them a reason to slap enough electronics in a device to be able to harvest data, and to piggyback off the user's internet for "updates". If you're going to put a microphone in a fridge, people are going to want to know why, so you need some kind of gimmick that allegedly uses it so you don't have to admit it's mostly there for data harvesting.

They are cheaper (in dollars), which does appeal to consumers. Manufacturers sell the data and discount the merchandise.

Tangential, but I'm curious what the margins on stuff like smart-fridges are. It seems like competition would drive us to a point where smart appliances are sold for at or below cost, with profits coming from selling data. It's crazy to me that LG or Maytag could become a data vendor that just so happens to sell appliances, because the data has to come from somewhere.