The Vent and Rant Thread

[badgoodDeb]

Originally Posted by Rumpelteazer

Personally, I think unlocking extra programs on a washing machine with an app is BS. The whole concept of connecting your washing machine to wifi is BS.

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Agreed!

Originally Posted by DNSB

I'll have to echo @Sirtel and scream AGREED!!

Yeah, whole heartedly agreed!!

[Renate]

The whole idea of doing something simple by connecting to a manufacturer's server (instead of directly connecting locally) is just bad, technically and morally. They just want to scrape your data.

[Terisa de morgan]

Originally Posted by Rumpelteazer

Y
Personally, I think unlocking extra programs on a washing machine with an app is BS. The whole concept of connecting your washing machine to wifi is BS.

I TOTALLY TOTALLY AGREE!

[John F]

Originally Posted by Rumpelteazer

Yesterday we got our new washing machine and dryer (both Siemens). We did the initial cycle you have to do the first time it's on. So today we're going to really use it for the first time.

I've downloaded both the manuals and read through them. One of the biggest drawbacks of the washing machine is that you kinda need to download the app to make use of all the functions. Apparently there are more types of washing programs available in the app. The washing machine also needs to connect to wifi.

I already downloaded the app, but you need to an account and we'll probably have to do that on my sister's email account, since she registered both machines for extra warranty using her email address.

Personally, I think unlocking extra programs on a washing machine with an app is BS. The whole concept of connecting your washing machine to wifi is BS.

Just curious, did you want wifi on the washing machine?

[Rumpelteazer]

Originally Posted by John F

Just curious, did you want wifi on the washing machine?

Not necessarily. But going with the specs wanted, what was quickly available, what was within our budget and what was recommended to us the one we ended up with has the app and is wifi enabled.

At least it's a very quiet machine and we love the lighting inside (it's in a dark area). Will we use the app? Probably not, maybe if we need a special program. But we never had the need to be able to start laundry when we're away (although now we have solar panels that might change).

[Renate]

Originally Posted by Rumpelteazer

But we never had the need to be able to start laundry when we're away...

Usually those kind of things a delayed start is sufficient.

I had the ability to turn on the heat remotely at my last apartment. That was convenient as I left work at random times and liked a warm apartment.

The apartment actually already had a Google "Nest", but I just set the temperature of that to 10 C and paralleled my wires off the back. My setup was just a Raspberry Pi. Although I didn't pay extra my IP stayed the same.

[ApK]

Wifi, being so cheap to add in these days, could be nice for stuff like getting notified when a cleaning cycle is done or if there is a problem, like leaving a fridge door open.
However, being so cheaply made these days means the components are likely to fail, and will cost far more to repair than it's worth. Ask me how I know. I'll tell you. Our fridge's wifi failed just after the warranty expired, and while the open door alert was nice, it certainly wasn't worth the cost of repairing it. Fortunately, the wifi is a separate module in the fridge, and so no other function was impacted, so we just live with out it. When the fridge had cooling problems recently, we noted the wifi issue to the repair tech, because LG was charging one flat fee to fix everything that was wrong. When the tech got here, he had apparently 'forgotten' about the WiFi issue, and so didn't have the parts to fix that. and LG would have charged again for a second repair visit. When the dishwasher's electronics failed, it took out the whole control panel. Fortunately that was under warranty at the time. Good that it was covered, but sad that the stuff broke so quickly. The wifi for the dishwasher is far less useful and I certainly wouldn't pay any more to have it.

[JSWolf]

The the best use of the an app for the washing machine is to know when it's done if you are not in hearing range of the machine's beeps. For example, on a nice summer day and you are outside enjoying the sun.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The the best use of the an app for the washing machine is to know when it's done if you are not in hearing range of the machine's beeps. For example, on a nice summer day and you are outside enjoying the sun.

Usually I don't need to know when it's done; it can wait until I get to it.

[badgoodDeb]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Usually I don't need to know when it's done; it can wait until I get to it.

I agree. I don't let my laundry dictate times to me!

It is nice to have an elongated "extra tumbles" time on my dryer, but I still leave it in long after that is done, some days.

Re the cost of fixing these computerized appliances: I've started buying small one-outlet surge protectors, and installing them on most of my appliances. The motherboards are too expensive to fix, so a small preventative step seems worth while.
I replaced a whole stove ~5 years ago, when the motherboard went, because it was cheaper to buy a whole new unit. After that, I added the surge protector.

[Rumpelteazer]

My sister was surprised today when she got a notification on her phone that the laundry was done when at work this morning. She likes it, I usually just make a mental note about when it should be done. Washing machines are usually fairly accurate with its estimate. It would be nice for the dryer, though. Those estimated times are never accurate. But the dryer doesn't come with wifi and app.

[Deskisamess]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The the best use of the an app for the washing machine is to know when it's done if you are not in hearing range of the machine's beeps. For example, on a nice summer day and you are outside enjoying the sun.

Unless you have a Samsung washer-dryer set that doesn't beep. The only option for an end of cycle noise is a terrible 30 second long musical tone. The set was here when we bought the house in early 2022. It's terrible and no option for just a beep or buzz. I set a timer on my watch.

The people we bought this place from had done a total kitchen remodel, and put in all Samsung appliances. They are all crappy in different ways, even though they were all new in 2021. I would not even consider Samsung when/if any of them need replacing. The washer/dryer set don't have a WiFi option, only the fridge does, which we've never done because I can't see a reason to do so.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by Deskisamess

, only the fridge does, which we've never done because I can't see a reason to do so.

The door open alert was the only useful feature of the fridge WiFi for me.

I have since put yolink temperature sensors in each of our freezers. They have already paid for themselves by saving a freezer load of food.



ApK

[ownedbycats]

Okay, I really want to known who placed a curse on another to "live in interesting times."

[Terisa de morgan]

Originally Posted by ownedbycats

Okay, I really want to known who placed a curse on another to "live in interesting times."

Please, if you find, curse him/her...