Thread

1. 9cb14c1ec0 · 1790257028 · focus · HN ↗

   Meanwhile, my non-smart fridge continues to run just fine. Why do we need smart fridges? That was always a bad idea.

   1. Legend2440 · 1790258111 · focus · HN ↗

      The trouble is that 'smart fridges' turn out to be just a regular fridge with an android tablet on the front. Which is useless.

      I would love a fridge with a camera inside and a smart enough AI to tell me (1. what's in the fridge (2. how long it's been there and (3. what I've eaten from it. Some companies have tried making this kind of fridge, but AFAIK they don't work very well.

      1. anentropic · 1790258171 · focus · HN ↗

         Why not just open the door and have a look in the fridge?

         1. Systemerror7A69 · 1790258377 · focus · HN ↗

            Not the person you asked but I can answer that from my perspective:

            I am always on the lookout to automatate as much boring, everyday tasks. A Smart Fridge like that would allow you to generate shopping lists and reduce food waste by alerting you to possible soon-to-be-spoiled food.

            A bit like what roombas are doing for cleaning. You still need to do it yourself a bit, but they help.

            Not necessary, not even a gamechanger but another neat home automation. Would be nice, sad to hear they don't work well.

            1. eulers_secret · 1790258942 · focus · HN ↗

               We need smart pantries to fully realize the “auto shopping list”, though… so a smart fridge is a half solution at best.

               I even store produce (ex onions) on the counter tops, so I guess smart counters as well

               1. curiousObject · 1790259546 · focus · HN ↗

                  >”a smart fridge is a half solution at best”

                  A car is a half solution to going to work. A stove is a half solution to preparing food.

                  Half solutions are what people need. They’re the solutions we are using every day.

                  There is this huge problem with advertising that makes consumers think a half solution is a 100% solution. Most smart product makers do that trick. But, apart from that problem, ‘the perfect is the enemy of the good’

                  Edit: but no way would I buy any smart or connected fridge from Samsung. I don’t anticipate that being a positive experience

                  1. dns_snek · 1790261483 · focus · HN ↗

                     > A car is a half solution to going to work.

                     > A stove is a half solution to preparing food.

                     A working grocery tracking system is a half-solution to effortless shopping.

                     A half-working grocery tracking system is useless, much like a car without an engine.

                     1. curiousObject · 1790262288 · focus · HN ↗

                        >A working grocery tracking system is a half-solution to effortless shopping.

                        >A half-working grocery tracking system is useless, much like a car without an engine.

                        Yes. Something designed to be a half solution can be useful. But a full solution which is broken is probably worse than useless.

                        1. dns_snek · 1790263368 · focus · HN ↗

                           I can't really think of a use case for a grocery tracking system that only tracks a third of my groceries. A system that tracks everything would be massively useful, however.

                           1. curiousObject · 1790266631 · focus · HN ↗

                              >I can't really think of a use case for a grocery tracking system that only tracks a third of my groceries.

                              Me too. I think I’m not communicating clearly. Sorry.

                              What I’m talking about is a system that does only one third of the steps in the total end-to-end process for ALL your groceries. You do the rest yourself, or use other help.

                              I’m not advocating a broken system that claims to do that complete process, but really ignores two thirds of your groceries. That would be damn stupid.

                              Do you understand what I mean?

                  2. dieselgate · 1790261684 · focus · HN ↗

                     “Half solution” seems like an odd way to say tool?

                     1. curiousObject · 1790262445 · focus · HN ↗

                        “tool” seems like a good way to describe a half solution. We use and combine various tools and our own skills to do what we want
                  3. [deleted] · 1790265578 · focus · HN ↗

                     [deleted]

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