Homeowner baffled after washing machine uses 3.6GB of internet data a day

ikidd@lemmy.world to Technology@lemmy.world – 680 points –
Homeowner baffled after washing machine uses 3.6GB of internet data a day
newsweek.com
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Solution in search of a problem.

I guess a mobile alert that lets you know the cycle is finished could be handy? Ability to schedule a load to start later? Maybe a maintenance or problem alert? Depleted detergent and fabric softener reservoir?

Possibly an energy usage chart for the nerds out there who like that kind of thing?

But damn, all of that shouldn't need more than a few kb a day max.

For most of these events an internet connection isn't necessary at all.

My machine shows the time that is needed for the program when I start it. I know when it will be finished right from the beginning. There's no surprise, no message necessary. If I tend to forget the time, then I can set a reminder in my smartphone.

I can program the machine while I load it to start the washing later. Why load the machine but then program it from a distance? Makes no sense.

Detergent is filled in before each washing cycle. There's nothing to be depleted.

A maintenance or problem alert would be the only thing that could be worth a message function. But: My machine works without problems for 15 years now. So: what should it be messaging me? We can really live better without these useless electronics that only push up the price and the distraction.

Yeah, I was reaching for really extreme cases. Maybe an IOT wash machine with a smooth app is easier to program than a machine with a control panel itself.

Who knows, the tech could hypothetically be useful.

Any why don't we have reservoirs with measured doses of detergent anyways? That would be kinda rad.

Seriously; wasnt there a chip shortage?

I always thought a simple analog speaker output could solve most of those. Let us string a wire to a remote speaker nearer to where we’re likely to be