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. sjs382 · 1790262195 · focus · HN ↗

      I've had a wifi-connected[0] Samsung fridge for 6 years. A few connected features that I like but aren't life-changing:

      - Reminders to change the ice/water filter get sent to my phone. There's an indicator light, but the phone notification is nice, too. The app also records when the filter was changed—useful to confirm that I'm "tasting" that the filter needs changed early.

      - When we had a teenager living with us, getting remote notifications that the refrigerator door was left open probably saved us a few fridge-fulls of food.

      Other than that, it's just a fridge that works reasonably well. My one complaint has nothing to do with smart features: about once per year I have to spend 5 mins to defrost the ice maker with a hairdryer. Just infrequent enough for me not to investigate the source of the problem.

      [0] I don't say "smart" here because nothing's really smart/automated and it doesn't have a screen, speaker, microphone or camera. RF28R7201SR/AA if you're curious.

      1. tredre3 · 1790286788 · focus · HN ↗

         Those are undoubtedly useful features, I just question why they should need the cloud:

         > - Reminders to change the ice/water filter get sent to my phone.

         How do you deal with all your other maintenance tasks around the house? with other appliances? with your car? Why not use a central system, like a task/reminder app?

         > - When we had a teenager living with us, getting remote notifications that the refrigerator door was left open probably saved us a few fridge-fulls of food.

         I would understand a child leaving the door open but a teenager doing it that often is kind of wild? Regardless, wouldn't a reminder beep that starts when the door has been open for 5 minutes be better? Must everything be on your phone? It's not even actionable if you're not in the house, where you'd hear a local beep.

         1. sjs382 · 1790345550 · focus · HN ↗

            > Why not use a central system, like a task/reminder app?

            I do. I have OCD. Redundant systems and being able to confirm things are key for me.

            > I would understand a child leaving the door open but a teenager doing it that often is kind of wild?

            Teens can be absent minded. You might be shocked by how common it is for families with teens to replace a set of forks that just disappeared one by one.

            > wouldn't a reminder beep that starts when the door has been open for 5 minutes be better? Must everything be on your phone? It's not even actionable if you're not in the house, where you'd hear a local beep.

            It does beep when opened too long.

            Remote notifications are the point. They are actionable: when I get the remote notification, I shoot off a text "close the fridge".

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