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by nox101 689 days ago
It should apply to all things period? If you buy an appliance (refrigerator, washing machine, Nest thermostat, TV), it feels like it should be required to function regardless of internet connection, availability of servers?

I get that it shouldn't be required to provide communication between the device and some app but it should at least be required to do it's basic function? (can't be remote shut off, can't stop working if no internet, can't stop working if it can't contact servers, ...)
3 comments
georgeecollins 689 days ago
I have gotten to the point where I assume everything with a CPU and a wireless connection is going to self-destruct at some point soon. When we were getting a new oven we paid extra for the lowest tech one we could find! Please no touch screens!

Example: My wife gave me a google mini that I use as a talking alarm clock. That's all: what time is it, please set an alarm. Period. Recently it told me it no longer works because I didn't install "Google Home" on my phone. Nothing changed on the device or its circumstances. Someone at Google decided to make a change that broke it.

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seoulmetro 689 days ago
You're lucky that you got it working from the store. You can't actually activate most IoT devices without a phone, a mobile number and an internet connection. All of which have to be supported by that brand, not just those physical items.
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nox101 689 days ago
I noticed this with Nanoleaf Essential Smart LED bulbs, the ones sold by Apple. They come out of the box, requiring to you install the app and register an account before they will start going full brightness. They'll only go like 25% bright until you've installed the app. These are the bulbs Apple sells. So much for caring about privacy. If Apple cared, they wouldn't be carrying a brand that requires you to give up your privacy.
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drivingmenuts 689 days ago
Well, I guess I can dust off my old RS232 interface dot-matrix printers and 10MB SCSI drives, then. Anyone got any paper for an old Alps dot-matrix printer?
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throwaway14356 689 days ago
if you buy something it shouldn't be tied to their backend either.

I use to type the ip from a security cam and get a web page with a video stream on it. I thought it was hilarious when it turned into a 404.

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