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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. cogman10 · · focus · HN ↗
      Samsung has made garbage appliances for my entire life. A family member went through about 3 different samsung fridges before they swore them off for good. The compressor would routinely break after only a year or 2 of service.

      I will never own a Samsung or LG appliance. They are built almost explicitly to force you to get a new one in a couple of years.

      Then couple that with both companies trying to use weaselly legal maneuvers like putting the EULA that agrees to arbitration on the outside of a box and saying "If you open this box you agree to the EULA".

      1. malfist · · focus · HN ↗
        Why are you throwing LG in with Samsung? They routinely have some of the most durable appliances, check consumer reports if you don't believe me. They even offer ten year warranty on their direct drive washer and dryers
        1. downut · · focus · HN ↗
          Huh, two houses back I had a really fucking POS dryer that I got expert at replacing the "Dryer Thermal Fuse" (pick your own youtube video walkthrough) and my foggy memory says in my ear that it was an LG dryer. So I'm thinking, this commenter malfist, doesn't know what he is talking about and I'll go look in my notes.org and... NOPE! It was a Samsung DV42H5000EW/A3 model!

          Sorry malfist for thinking bad thoughts. I've redirected all that negative energy back to its rightful owner: Samsung.

          The washer next to that dryer was an LG, and in my notes I never touched it.

          Always good to reattach to reality.

          Ah, I see that the washer/dryer pair we bought new 4 years ago and hauled across the country are LG ThinQs. Very happy with them. Apparently can be "smart" but I shut that down.

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