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Samsung accidentally freezes its smart fridges with a software update

247 points · 284 comments · Markoff

  1. ginko · · focus · HN ↗
    I have yet to understand what the value proposition of an internet-connected refrigerator is.
    1. tocs3 · · focus · HN ↗
      I do not disagree with your sentiment. We have had refrigerators for 100+ years [citation needed] after all. Still there are likely cases where it is useful. Looking in on elderly family members might include picking up things from the grocery store and having a list of staples needed might be an example. There are plenty of ways to deal with this but one might be a connected refrigerator.
      1. Am4TIfIsER0ppos · · focus · HN ↗
        > Looking in on elderly family members might include picking up things from the grocery store and having a list of staples needed might be an example

        You would turn up unannounced with things you think are missing from the fridge surveillance camera? Here's how that should go: Visit old person. Check fridge. Check cupboards. Visit store. Visit old person.

        1. whizzter · · focus · HN ↗
          You jest but having elderly parents tens of miles outside of town it's a timesaver, luckily I can still request photos of things.
      2. thesuitonym · · focus · HN ↗
        Here's a crazy thought, you could just talk to your elderly family members.
        1. tocs3 · · focus · HN ↗
          I live with an elderly person (as a caretaker) and find that elderly persons are not always good sources of information about needs. It could be that I am completely wrong about the usefulness of a connected refrigerator (I just look in out 1980's era fridge).
      3. kergonath · · focus · HN ↗
        > We have had refrigerators for 100+ years [citation needed]

        If you’re thinking about the domestic appliance, apparently since 1913 [1], so close enough (what a stupid name, though). AFAICT the first one with something that looks like the modern cooling loop is the first Frigidaire from 1916. But the concept of refrigeration to keep food for longer is older.

        [1] <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;DOMELRE" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;DOMELRE

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