5 ms·

All I know is that I absolutely never, ever, ever want my toothbrush to be "smart." We need to stop putting firmware in things that don't need firmware. Not ev

All I know is that I absolutely never, ever, ever want my toothbrush to be "smart." We need to stop putting firmware in things that don't need firmware. Not everything needs a chip or intelligence. The rampant abuse of this kind of thing leads to shitty products and an uptick in electronic waste.

fsflover 3y ago
The chips are not a problem. Nonfree software is.
- JohnFen 3y ago
  I disagree. For a toothbrush, the chips are a problem. If nothing else, manufacturing chips is very bad for the environment. We shouldn't be putting them in things that don't need them.
  - fsflover 3y ago
    If we were talking about the climate problem, you would be right. But your comment is a goal shifting, because I replied to the problem of abuse of the firmware in the chips. Abuse can't happen with free software.
    - ubermonkey 3y ago
      LOL
- ubermonkey 3y ago
  Nah. Putting firmware in shit that doesn't need firmware is itself a problem, even if it's free.
  - fsflover 3y ago
    I don't see a problem really. What's wrong with being able to fine tune, e.g., how strong the vibration is? Maybe my teeth are more sensitive than usual. Or between 'sensitive' and 'normal'.
gwbas1c 3y ago
I bought one of these toothbrushes almost two years ago. It really makes a difference: - The connection to my phone helps coach me in making sure I'm brushing my teeth properly. Bad habits sink in easily, and my various dentists all point out that my teeth and gums are much, much healthier. Given that I am cursed with some bad oral genetics, it's "money well spent" for me. - The counter helps remind me when to change my toothbrush head. I used to be much lazier about changing it; again; because bad habits easily sink in. Could someone figure out how to do this without an NFC chip in the toothbrush? I hope so! The toothbrush heads cost much more than traditional "dumb" manual toothbrushes. I don't want to have to spend big bucks just to have good personal hygiene.
- fire 3y ago
  ironically the special blue bristles in the philips heads that turn white when the brush head needs to be replaced is exactly what you want, I think?
  - gwbas1c 3y ago
    That's not the same, because it's gradual, as opposed to a beep / notification. When things change gradually, I tend to ignore the change. To put it in a different context, I've had the fadeout brush heads for years, but I had to get in the habit of changing my brush head when I went in for a dental cleaning because otherwise, I'd just keep using it forever.

fsflover 3y ago

The chips are not a problem. Nonfree software is.

JohnFen 3y ago
I disagree. For a toothbrush, the chips are a problem. If nothing else, manufacturing chips is very bad for the environment. We shouldn't be putting them in things that don't need them.
- fsflover 3y ago
  If we were talking about the climate problem, you would be right. But your comment is a goal shifting, because I replied to the problem of abuse of the firmware in the chips. Abuse can't happen with free software.
  - ubermonkey 3y ago
    LOL
ubermonkey 3y ago
Nah. Putting firmware in shit that doesn't need firmware is itself a problem, even if it's free.
- fsflover 3y ago
  I don't see a problem really. What's wrong with being able to fine tune, e.g., how strong the vibration is? Maybe my teeth are more sensitive than usual. Or between 'sensitive' and 'normal'.

gwbas1c 3y ago

I bought one of these toothbrushes almost two years ago. It really makes a difference: - The connection to my phone helps coach me in making sure I'm brushing my teeth properly. Bad habits sink in easily, and my various dentists all point out that my teeth and gums are much, much healthier. Given that I am cursed with some bad oral genetics, it's "money well spent" for me. - The counter helps remind me when to change my toothbrush head. I used to be much lazier about changing it; again; because bad habits easily sink in. Could someone figure out how to do this without an NFC chip in the toothbrush? I hope so! The toothbrush heads cost much more than traditional "dumb" manual toothbrushes. I don't want to have to spend big bucks just to have good personal hygiene.

fire 3y ago
ironically the special blue bristles in the philips heads that turn white when the brush head needs to be replaced is exactly what you want, I think?
- gwbas1c 3y ago
  That's not the same, because it's gradual, as opposed to a beep / notification. When things change gradually, I tend to ignore the change. To put it in a different context, I've had the fadeout brush heads for years, but I had to get in the habit of changing my brush head when I went in for a dental cleaning because otherwise, I'd just keep using it forever.