I refuse to buy any appliance that comes with wifi and/or a mobile app

@sarabee1995 I want mine to only do their job. The dishwasher doesn't need internet access, nor the oven, nor the aircon

@sarabee1995 Do they say anything interesting?

@Elessar Well, it's nice to control the a/c remotely. I can let the place get a bit warmer when we're gone and then cool it off before we get home. And it's nice to know that the wash cycle is finished. 🤷‍♀

@FreddieUK Lol, no. Just that this or that is done. Stuff like that.

@sarabee1995 I can do that with a normal IR remote. Or if I really want it to be remote, with an IR transmitter wired to a computer board (like a RasPI)

Now they're removing remotes in favor of apps and that's absolutely awful.

If ten years from now your AC is still good but they decide to shut down the servers that connect apps and appliances you're forced to change it

@Elessar Nah, I would just find the regular remote and use that. ;)

But its all Samsung stuff so I don't think they are going away anytime soon. And all the appliances are on one Samsung app called "smartthings". I'm told there's like a million more things that can be done with Smarthings, but I haven't bothered to look at any of it yet.

@sarabee1995 They don't ship it anymore, that's the problem. At least the Panasonic they've just installed at my workplace only comes with a mobile app, no remotes in the box, and I guess no receiver for it either. 🙈

@Elessar No remote??? My Samsung A/C came with a remote, but it's lost in a drawer somewhere because I use the Smartthings thing to control it from my phone.

But I'm also going back a few years when I bought this place.

@sarabee1995 If they offer both I won't complain, I'll just leave it offline and call it a day. My complaint is specifically because the apps are getting increasingly forced 😬

@Elessar Got it. I'd just say give it a try. I love it. 🤷‍♀

@FreddieUK


No, but maybe they are interested in hearing what you say when you think you are in private.

@Thinkerbell No kidding! We have one Alexa thing in our home, but my parents have voice control throughout the house for all kinds of connected devices (lights, locks, blinds, thermostats, ceiling fans, cameras, and a ton more).

@sarabee1995

Alexa listens and takes notes even when no one is speaking to her.

@sarabee1995 No wonder your phone bill is always so high if you chat with your appliances 🫢

@Thinkerbell I don't doubt that!

@Stephie Nope. They make that connection free so they can gather data about you and use it to sell you more crap. 🤷‍♀

@sarabee1995 Let me try to find out what you are running low in your fridge. I am sure your data must be available somewhere. I'll let you know if that salad is still fresh or if you need another carton of milk. The current one is close to the expiration date...