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This is a very fuzzy memory, but I remember a report of a smart device that "helpfully" automatically connects to other devices nearby, forming a mesh network.
by Cpoll 2y ago
This is a very fuzzy memory, but I remember a report of a smart device that "helpfully" automatically connects to other devices nearby, forming a mesh network.
In other words, even if you never connect your TV to your WIFI, it might be enough that your neighbour does.
- trckdhsbr 2y agoIf anyone has any more info on this I'd be very interested in seeing it
- angoragoats 2y agoThe parent post is probably referring to Amazon Sidewalk, a mesh network formed from Echo devices and other Amazon smart ~~garbage~~ devices, launched in 2021: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2021/05/amazon-devices-will-soon-automatically-share-your-internet-with-neighbors/ https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2021/05/amazon-devices-will-...
- retSava 2y agoI don't think that's the same. Amz Sidewalk is very slow, low bandwidth over sub-GHz. What GP is thinking about is probably along the lines of, if not getting Internet access by the owner, willy-nilly connecting to any open wifi network it finds, and uses that. But "meshing" with other apparatus from the same manufacturers is a clever and evil idea - perhaps another TV from the same brand is in range and has Internet, then they can proxy that way. All these probably break some regulations or laws.
- Cpoll 2y agoI tried searching for it, without much luck. I don't think I was thinking of Sidewalk, though. It was more like some TV manufacturer like TCL, LG, etc. The best I could find are some unconfirmed reports of devices automatically connecting to open WiFi, which doesn't quite match. But I can't find anything now, so it might be best to consider it apocryphal.
- amelius 2y agoDid you know that HDMI cables have Ethernet running over them?