Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

'Smart' technology is out of control. We adore this dumb tech

washingtonpost.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

31–33 of 33 posts

Re: 'Smart' technology is out of control. We adore this dumb tech

#31

Post by crngefest »

orev wrote: post #17
crngefest wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I never understood the need for smart lights for able-bodied people. You just stand up for a moment and flick the switch, what benefit do smart lights or even a remote for lights provide? Even if you disregard all the issues these iot/smart devices have and assume they operate perfectly I really don’t see why we should expend any resources to make them.

To be sure, there is no *need* for smart lights, just like there’s no need for air conditioning, refrigerator water dispensers, and wireless headphones. But they are nice to have. As someone who recently moved, they were pretty low on the priority list to get them reinstalled, but it was nice once it was done.

None of the things you listed need an internet connection so I would not consider them smart devices.

Re: 'Smart' technology is out of control. We adore this dumb tech

#32

Post by 112233 »

crngefest wrote: post #28
112233 wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can't imagine how much kilometers of in-wall electical cable installation (at least done euro-style) one can avoid by replacing normal light fixtures and switches with a single group relay, some tracks, and some matter bulbs. Once everything is set up and switches are magnetically attched to walls, it works just like the dumb lights, but without 230V all over the place. Just need to swap coin battery once a year.…

That is a fair point but only applies if you are building a new home. I don’t think it’s feasible to retrofit an existing home in this fashion.

Agreed, existing wiring is better of with dumb bulbs (you can keep using existing switches), except if you want to add dimming — I have no idea how normal person can figure out which lightbulb will not burn down given wall dimmer switch (along with the whole house), if it all fits into E27. Integrated lightbulb seems safer.

Re: 'Smart' technology is out of control. We adore this dumb tech

#33

Post by nickthegreek »

crngefest wrote: post #29
nickthegreek wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My lights automatically change their color temperature and brightness throughout the day. There is more to smart lights than on and off.

Do they need internet connection to do that? I have the same behaviour with a dumb light that just has some circuits to control the LED. No smart devices needed to change Color/brightness dynamically.

Mine is done using Home Assistant, so no internet is required.
Post reply on HN