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LG dryer traffic – 1GB+ daily up/down

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

#21
post #8
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 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 business model?

We need some open source washer companies, I would pay a premium for an open source washing machine.

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

#22

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…

Not long after, hobbyists and hackers will be hijacking that cellular connection.

CFAA violation in America, no?

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

#23

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…

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.

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

#24
post #16

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.

Nice thought, but highly unlikely.

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

#25
At one point, Samsung had a press release telling consumers not to talk about confidential things near the TV. https://www.google.com/amp/s/theweek.com/speedreads-amp/5383...

Maybe LG needs the audio to sell to advertising. They would have data not collected in the entertainment room.

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

#26
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…

> Consumers need to outright reject these attempts

Voters need to ban these attempts. Limiting our power to that of mere consumers is what has allowed things to get this bad in the first place.

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

#27
post #8
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 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.

Already happened with home exercise bikes. A decade ago no one would have fathomed that millions would be buying home gym equipment with subscription models.

I tend to agree that subscription models will evolve into many more devices.

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

#28

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

Wow. And those features don't work without WiFi. Why the heck would it need an internet connection and a subscription to fry something? It already costs $1,500! You'd think maybe it would be using AI to figure out how to best fry the food or something like that, but the article also says the frying function didn't work very well...

The smart models have recipe step-by-step. The recipes can send commands to the Thermomix rather than manually setting the dials and timers. There's also a baby companion Thermomix Friend that can receive commands from the main unit to cook dishes separately e.g. a sauce.

https://www.vorwerk.co.uk/thermomix/thermomix-friend/

I have the dumb TM31.

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

#29
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…

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.

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

#30
post #24
post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 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.

Nice thought, but highly unlikely.

It probably depends strongly on how annoying the connection is. For most people irritation is a much stronger motivator than principles.
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