Live data from Hacker News

My dishwasher won’t start until I let it update its firmware over the WiFi

twitter.com

211–220 of 597 posts

Re: My dishwasher won’t start until I let it update its firmware over the WiFi

#211

I can understand the appeal of most smart devices, but since a dishwasher can’t yet load and unload itself, what is the point of an internet connected dishwasher? You have to have physically loaded it. Why not just push the start button then?

> what is the point of an internet connected dishwasher? The purpose of IOT is pretty clear, although it is also pretty broad. It's a win-win for the manufacturer, but probably a ticking time bomb for the customer. The Good: 1. Reduce production costs by converting electronic control to digital control with COTS chips. 2. Reduce development costs by reducing the cost of correcting bug-free software. The system requir…

> 4. Collecting anonymous telemetry data to determine actual use patterns, allowing for better focus on features people actually use or may want. Potentially allows for increases in efficiency (including end user resource costs like time, water, and electricity).

Ok, but many times this leads to wrong conclusions. Just because a feature is not used by everyone, or used rarely, does not mean it's useless.

Re: My dishwasher won’t start until I let it update its firmware over the WiFi

#212
post #183

I have a smart dishwasher. Anyone who doesn't have one and is bashing them simply hasn't had the pleasure of trying them out. They're pure joy. My 2 year old loves to help me load the dishes. She complains if I don't let her close the soap container and then press the button to start the machine. It's never broken dishes on me. Never failed to clean anything. I've never forgotten to start it, or forgotten to add soap…

Is that some kind of mythical product? Would you mind telling us its name? Please :)

Do you mean the dishwasher? Or the 2 year old that loves to help with chores?

If the latter, I honestly don't know how we got so blessed with a product that's this amazing in so many diverse ways.

Re: My dishwasher won’t start until I let it update its firmware over the WiFi

#213
post #83

* Insert quote from Ubik by P. K. Dick * I'm glad that I have around 20 year old Bosch dishwasher. It has one button and one knob and it doesn't beep. For home automation I sometimes would like to add a lowest quality webcam pointed towards lights to see if it has finished. But not for the dishwasher - it always takes the same time and is quick enough. It could be useful for the washing machine, but not enough for me…

I have a Bosch dishwasher from a few years ago. It has a few buttons for timer (which I never use), different levels of how dirty your dishes are (which I use all the time), start, and power on/off. It's simple to use, it works great and I can't think of any extra software features I would like.

Ahh, but without an Internet connection they can't use it to measure your washing habits and sell it to advertisers or foist subscriptions on you. That's a major deficit.

Re: My dishwasher won’t start until I let it update its firmware over the WiFi

#214
post #176

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"the Wi-Fi is useful... the dishwasher auto-doses the powder, rinse aid, salt, etc... and can let me know the levels of those." I do appreciate your respect for the usefulness of this functionality -- I just throw my laundry in the machine, press ON and then press START, throw in a random amount of soap and 60 minutes later or so I have clean clothes.

> I just throw my laundry in the machine Into the dishwasher?

Oh, I have seen worse things in student dormitories.

Ever seen someone use the coffe-maker to cook instant ramen?

Re: My dishwasher won’t start until I let it update its firmware over the WiFi

#215
post #77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Updates improve wash efficiency, etc. Not just security updates. Maybe a new cleaning powder comes with a new algo. Maybe there's a better dosing for certain levels of water hardness. But the gist is that it updates the whole module. I'm fine with this, Miele are like Bosch in that they look after the hardware they sell for decades rather than considering it deprecated the day it leaves a shop floor.

Every dishwasher I've ever used, your best bet is to put everything on full blast, least efficient settings. Otherwise the dishes get "almost" clean. I always imagine the engineers standing around patting themselves on the back after testing, and marveling how their ideas worked so well most of the dishes got clean. The dishes all need to be totally clean, every time, or it's useless to me.

We just run the normal eco program without any extras. The dishes get perfectly clean every time as long as nothing hinders the rotating arms that spray water.

Re: My dishwasher won’t start until I let it update its firmware over the WiFi

#216

Earlier quoted context omitted.

...do you feel attacked by the word 'nerd'? I mean the tweet is putting the blame at the wrong people (it's a business decision after all), but I wouldn't go as far as call it "hate-inciting nonsense". You're not under attack.

I have a problem with the top reply being about bullying.

...what do you think "bullying" is?

Re: My dishwasher won’t start until I let it update its firmware over the WiFi

#218
When I read this my initial thoughts were:

1) Why would I want to hook my dishwasher to the internet?

2) Is the dishwasher firmware FLOSS?

3) Has anybody ported Linux to the dishwasher MCU?

4) Has anybody ported DOOM to the dishwasher MCU?

5) Is the dishwasher spying on me via built in microphone?

Re: My dishwasher won’t start until I let it update its firmware over the WiFi

#219

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is the chime at the end of the cycle inadequate?

Yes, because it assumes you can hear it.

If you're too far away to be able to hear it, then what would you do with the information anyway?

Re: My dishwasher won’t start until I let it update its firmware over the WiFi

#220

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The electricity and water efficiency are likely terrible compared to a modern machine.

OTOH, modern machines have difficulties to clean and dry the dishes.

That's due to environmental/green targets.
Post reply on HN