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Samsung accidentally freezes its smart fridges with a software update

247 points · 284 comments · Markoff

  1. diskzero · · focus · HN ↗
    We ended up with a Samsung fridge in our new home. It has no external display or any other indication that it is a "smart" fridge. I only found out when a friend visited who has a Samsung phone and the phone offered to connect to the fridge. We spent the next 30 minutes removing panels from the fridge and found the wifi/bluetooth antenna on a small board under the top-right hinge cover. The board was disconnected and the fridge continues to operate normally.

    I am now eyeing my dishwasher very suspiciously.

    1. jasode · · focus · HN ↗
      >I am now eyeing my dishwasher very suspiciously.

      Appliances with mandatory wi-fi is a bad trend. The mid-tier dishwasher from Bosch locks the Eco(nomy) energy saver cycle, delayed start, etc functionality behind a smartphone app. This requires connecting the dishwasher to wi-fi and using the smartphone to create a Bosch online account. That's what the whole Jeff Geerling complaint video was all about.

      <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.youtube.com&#x2F;watch?v=5M_hmwBBPnc&amp;t=4m21s" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.youtube.com&#x2F;watch?v=5M_hmwBBPnc&amp;t=4m21s

      1. nicoburns · · focus · HN ↗
        Aside: I heard that &quot;eco mode&quot; is typically not actually the most energy efficient mode on most washing machines. Apparently it&#x27;s a standard mode they have to add so that energy efficiency can be measured across machines, but that means it can&#x27;t be optimised.

        You&#x27;re typically better off looking for some kind quick&#x2F;fast mode. Or even the &quot;regular&quot; mode.

        (YMMV, look things up for your specific model)

        1. gambiting · · focus · HN ↗
          It&#x27;s one of those &quot;optimize for X&#x2F;Y&#x2F;Z, pick two&quot;. The eco mode is usually the best for water usage, but it might use more energy. The fast modes might use more water but less energy. It&#x27;s hard to do both and still get good results.
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