Comment on FTC urged to make smart devices say how long they will be supported

• AA5B@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

  There’s no reason a laundry machine requires an internet connection

  • if an internet connection provides additional functionality such as notification, it easier to have the machine work normally without notifications
  • there’s no reason a machine requires an internet connection, especially with the release of the Matter/Thread standard to unify home automation local protocols

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  • potentiallynotfelix@lemdro.id ⁨2⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

    I think a LAN-connected machine would be good, if you could use an app or open-source, well-documented API to control the machine, but there is no reason a washing machine should need to connect to the outer internet. You can VPN into your local network if it’s that necessary to control it away from home.

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    • AA5B@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

      The new Thread/Matter standard is an attempt to bring together various home automation protocols for exactly things like this.

      • Previously an appliance manufacturer may have needed to support multiple protocols and decide how to expose functionality.
      • the new standard is IPv6 based: Matter is the Ethernet protocol and Thread a local-only low power mesh network, and it’s sponsored by Apple, Amazon and many other players. However another great feature is a standard set of device types, so most of the functionality you need to implement is already defined and other services already know how to interact with it.

      If were Matter/Thread, I can already ask Siri the status or configure Alexa to announce when it’s done or script my home automation service to flash an LED indicator.

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  • Maggoty@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

    I agree. But the people who have one should not need to buy new machines just because support ended. And it’s my understanding that it’s currently the case with several brands.

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  • DancingBear@midwest.social ⁨2⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

    Can’t you just set a timer on your phone for 30 minutes

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    • OnToTheFuture@thelemmy.club ⁨2⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

      Although I do this, I do also have a counterpoint to this. I will set my machine to go and it says 60 minutes. Cool, set a timer for that long. Come back in 60 minutes, and it still has 5 minutes left. I ended up figuring out the machine is somehow determining that at 60 minutes, the clothes/blankets/whatever is still too wet, so it’s adding time to the spin cycle to try and spin them more. Having it just ping me would be amazing, but also I do not want to have a machine that refuses to operate without WiFi or some crap.

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      • Jakeroxs@sh.itjust.works ⁨1⁩ ⁨week⁩ ago

        I bought maytag washer/dryer oddly only the dryer is “smart” and it is just notifying when it’s done, but it works just fine without internet as well. Looked around a good bit before we landed on Maytag and they’ve been great for the few years so far we’ve had them, however it’s just my wife and I, not a ton of use compared to a whole family so ymmv

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      • DancingBear@midwest.social ⁨1⁩ ⁨week⁩ ago

        Yea but can you play doom during the wash cycle

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    • AA5B@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

      I do set a timer on my watch according to what the machine estimates: 59 minutes for a standard wash and 1:15 for a standard dry. Sometimes the estimate is off, so it’s not perfect.

      Then again, why do I have to remember to have my phone or watch in order to use the laundry?

      An actual notification could be better because I don’t have to have my phone nor remember to do it. Sort of like in the olden days when the machines had that god awful buzzer you could hear throughout the house: it just worked at least if you’re home. Now the machines let out a pleasant little tinkle that I can’t hear from the living room, plus what if I want to be outside.

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      • xthexder@l.sw0.com ⁨1⁩ ⁨week⁩ ago

        The laundry machine in my rental still has the buzzer, but I usually just set a timer on my phone or watch anyway. This thing will probably last another 20 years, and my landlord certainly won’t replace it until it breaks.

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    • UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

      What? Like some kind of primitive savage?

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      • DancingBear@midwest.social ⁨1⁩ ⁨week⁩ ago

        I don’t even set a timer for my wager or dryer although the wager I think can. Be hacked it’s way too electronic

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