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Ask HN: Object you'd like to see connected to the internet?

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81–87 of 87 posts

Re: Ask HN: Object you'd like to see connected to the internet?

#81

Nothing but my computers. I don't want anything that affects my real, physical life to be open to trickery. Imagine having someone checking what is in your mailbox, what your waking hours are, how much weight you've gained, where you drove last night — it's not worth it to gain a little convenience.

Also smartphone. Probably my sat-receiver (for remote recording). Likely that's it.

Even in my car: I'd just use my phone (instead of something else (another and likely worse UI)). It may turn out totally different in ~10, ~20 years...

... but remember: Something comes along and the expectations are high and then we see and realize that in practice it's less spectacular / much more modest.

The iPhone and Android are great, but extending it to a smart-watch?... that's kind of a lame idea. I don't care.

Hopefully we have something less expected and more exciting by then.

So to me it's a hype word, where I shiver a bit, since I remember the .com-bubble ("Internet of Commerce" if you will) and so many other "wordings", which passed by and got replaced by the next wording (and are still not catching on).

Re: Ask HN: Object you'd like to see connected to the internet?

#82
Eh, I think that for the near term, the internet of things is on the ropes. I think nobody's buying arduino or beaglebone, raspberry pi, etc. books any more. I think plenty of people bought one gizmo and a book, and now it's sitting in a drawer somewhere.

Re: Ask HN: Object you'd like to see connected to the internet?

#83

Traffic lights. While not directly personal or "Internet of Things", traffic lights could really use some AI. It would be fantastic if they could learn routine traffic patterns (rush hour, weekends), detect flow (green light, but no one is there), even receive traffic data from Google/Apple/etc., then automatically adjust timing accordingly. Even mesh networking with nearby intersections. I can't count the number of…

I don't think they're always looking for efficiency of traffic flow. I live on the south side of Chicago. I swear the lights along major streets are timed to make it inconvenient for traffic flow ON PURPOSE. My unscientific theory is that this is done to prevent speeding, rack up violations for idiots that like to race, and make it easier for cops to pursue in their cars. Case in point: my street has a stretch of at least 3 blocks without a light; hence, we get idiots (cars and cycles) that like to gun it in a 30 mph zone.

Re: Ask HN: Object you'd like to see connected to the internet?

#84
post #4

Technology is getting so cheap that eventually we'll have everything connected and wonder why it wasn't always that way. First, I'd like my sprinkler system connected so I can see and adjust the schedule, check current soil moisture levels, etc. Better yet, let the system adjust itself based on current conditions, forecasts, etc. I would use this mainly for my vegetable garden, not so much fo Second, I'd like my refr…

I've been enjoying the Parrot Flower Power. It's just a sensor you stick in your plants. It's connected to a database of plants so it can give you advice based on sunlight, water, soil chemistry, and temperature, depending on what kind of plant you select.

Re: Ask HN: Object you'd like to see connected to the internet?

#85
post #83

Traffic lights. While not directly personal or "Internet of Things", traffic lights could really use some AI. It would be fantastic if they could learn routine traffic patterns (rush hour, weekends), detect flow (green light, but no one is there), even receive traffic data from Google/Apple/etc., then automatically adjust timing accordingly. Even mesh networking with nearby intersections. I can't count the number of…

I don't think they're always looking for efficiency of traffic flow. I live on the south side of Chicago. I swear the lights along major streets are timed to make it inconvenient for traffic flow ON PURPOSE. My unscientific theory is that this is done to prevent speeding, rack up violations for idiots that like to race, and make it easier for cops to pursue in their cars. Case in point: my street has a stretch of at…

When I was a kid, we went through some small town when on vacation (don't remember which one). It didn't have speed limits - just signs that said that the traffic lights were synchronized for 25 MPH. After a light or two, you believed them, and so you drove 25 MPH.

Re: Ask HN: Object you'd like to see connected to the internet?

#86

Just to name a few: - Stove - Cat feeder - Sink - ...actually pretty much everything in my kitchen - Selectable thoughts - A physical notebook - All restaurant ordering systems. So I can get the check right to my phone, pay with my phone, tip with my phone. No paper checks. - City streets. So I can get real time data when I'm biking that tells me a certain road is closed or if traffic is heavy. I know this exists wit…

Can you elaborate on selectable thoughts?

Re: Ask HN: Object you'd like to see connected to the internet?

#87
post #84
post #4

Technology is getting so cheap that eventually we'll have everything connected and wonder why it wasn't always that way. First, I'd like my sprinkler system connected so I can see and adjust the schedule, check current soil moisture levels, etc. Better yet, let the system adjust itself based on current conditions, forecasts, etc. I would use this mainly for my vegetable garden, not so much fo Second, I'd like my refr…

I've been enjoying the Parrot Flower Power. It's just a sensor you stick in your plants. It's connected to a database of plants so it can give you advice based on sunlight, water, soil chemistry, and temperature, depending on what kind of plant you select.

Wa-a-ay to expensive. It needs to be in an under-$10 range to be feasible for reasonably practical use.
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