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xkcd #3109: Dehumidifier (lemmynsfw.com)

submitted 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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xkcd #3109: Dehumidifier

Title text:

It's important for devices to have internet connectivity so the manufacturer can patch remote exploits.

Transcript:

[A store salesman, Hairy, is showing Cueball a dehumidifier, with a "SALE" label on it. Several other unidentified devices, possibly other dehumidifier models, are shown in the store as well.]

Salesman: This dehumidifier model features built-in WiFi for remote updates.
Cueball: Great! That will be really useful if they discover a new kind of water.

Source: https://xkcd.com/3109/

explainxkcd for #3109

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[–] [email protected] 49 points 1 week ago (27 children)

I got new appliances a couple weeks ago and they're all "smart". Turns out a smart microwave just sends you a phone notification when it's done. By default.

As someone with multiple people living in the house, I can confidently say this is the dumbest "smart" feature ever. Promptly disabled.

[–] [email protected] 21 points 1 week ago (10 children)

Any appliance with IoT is a value-subtract.

They do it so in the future they can monetize you in perpetuity in some way

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 week ago (9 children)

I can see value in HVAC IoT. Away from home and there's a cold spell? Turn up the heating so your pipes don't freeze, but also run it higher when electricity is cheaper (if you have variable pricing).

I don't think I'd want my microwave, washing machine, or toilet to have IoT features though.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Any decent heating system will have a thermostat which will activate the heating when it's getting cold. Also no need for internet to be able to setup the time when electricity is cheaper. It's not like it's something you need to do regularly. Setting this all up directly on the heating system works well enough.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago

With day ahead pricing it changes... Daily.

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