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I will never understand some smart appliances. Like...a smart TV so you don't need a second device to play your streaming services? I kinda understand, though

I will never understand some smart appliances. Like...a smart TV so you don't need a second device to play your streaming services? I kinda understand, though I think it's a silly move. If my Fire TV stick gets deprecated, I can buy a new one for under $50. If my TV itself gets deprecated, I'm spending $1500+ for a new one. But like...the number of people who have their heads in the sand when it comes to pervasive ads being injected by their TV is appalling. But why does anybody need a smart washer (either clothes or dishes)? I need to be physically there to load it. There's literally nothing to be gained by having an app. Sure, sometimes I want a delayed start for whatever reason, but literally every washer already has that function without an app. I don't even see the purpose of WiFi-connected light bulbs. The only time I'm turning a light on or off is when I'm entering or leaving the room, in which case I'm passing by the light switch anyways.

techcode 4mo ago
While I agree with you on ideally having a dumb TV - being able to install TailScale on your TV and then using your exit node in another country (to watch that other countries local IPTV) is a really nice convenience. And you can no longer buy a dumb TV, at least not in typical living room sizes. The dishwashing machine being able to notify you ahead of time that you're low (but not already out) of softening salt or rinse aid liquid is also convenient - but indeed also solvable with display on the machine itself. But the automation like lights, or blinds/shutters... Being able to open/close shutters from your bed (or automatically in the morning as part of waking you up), or turn on/off lights based on motion/presence detection - is actually useful. Of course you shouldn't need Internet to operate it. And many people use Home Assistant exactly because they don't want their "smart devices" to talk to the cloud.
- bitwize 4mo ago
  Sceptre still sells dumb TVs, and there are always computer monitors with HDMI in. I'm typing this on a 43" one. You'll still pay more, especially for the latter, but not hugely more.
buildsjets 3mo ago
Smart TVs mostly exist to subsidize the cost of the hardware though licensing deals. We use none of the features that came with our Smart TV, and stream through an Apple TV instead. If your Smart TV gets deprecated, you can always upgrade to whatever the latest streaming device is, and plug 'er in. I do say that I very much like our smart clothes washer's app and find it useful. It sends me a notification when the washing cycle is complete so that I know it is time to move it to the dryer, enabling a more efficient wash day, and less likelihood of forgetting a load in the washer and having it mildew. I also do like my wifi connected light switches quite a lot. I frequently find myself wanting to dim the lights after we have already sat down to watch a movie or something. I don't want to kick the cat off my lap just to adjust the lighting. And I use it every night when going to bed, as the light switch is on the opposite side of the room, and our bedroom is completely pitch black with the lights out due to my war on LED indicators. We also travel frequently and have a preprogrammed "away" lighting schedule to make the house look occupied. Smart lighting is a super useful upgrade.

techcode 4mo ago

While I agree with you on ideally having a dumb TV - being able to install TailScale on your TV and then using your exit node in another country (to watch that other countries local IPTV) is a really nice convenience. And you can no longer buy a dumb TV, at least not in typical living room sizes. The dishwashing machine being able to notify you ahead of time that you're low (but not already out) of softening salt or rinse aid liquid is also convenient - but indeed also solvable with display on the machine itself. But the automation like lights, or blinds/shutters... Being able to open/close shutters from your bed (or automatically in the morning as part of waking you up), or turn on/off lights based on motion/presence detection - is actually useful. Of course you shouldn't need Internet to operate it. And many people use Home Assistant exactly because they don't want their "smart devices" to talk to the cloud.

bitwize 4mo ago
Sceptre still sells dumb TVs, and there are always computer monitors with HDMI in. I'm typing this on a 43" one. You'll still pay more, especially for the latter, but not hugely more.

buildsjets 3mo ago

Smart TVs mostly exist to subsidize the cost of the hardware though licensing deals. We use none of the features that came with our Smart TV, and stream through an Apple TV instead. If your Smart TV gets deprecated, you can always upgrade to whatever the latest streaming device is, and plug 'er in. I do say that I very much like our smart clothes washer's app and find it useful. It sends me a notification when the washing cycle is complete so that I know it is time to move it to the dryer, enabling a more efficient wash day, and less likelihood of forgetting a load in the washer and having it mildew. I also do like my wifi connected light switches quite a lot. I frequently find myself wanting to dim the lights after we have already sat down to watch a movie or something. I don't want to kick the cat off my lap just to adjust the lighting. And I use it every night when going to bed, as the light switch is on the opposite side of the room, and our bedroom is completely pitch black with the lights out due to my war on LED indicators. We also travel frequently and have a preprogrammed "away" lighting schedule to make the house look occupied. Smart lighting is a super useful upgrade.