[m463]

But alarms drive engagement. Also, display a company logo and complete product name™

More seriously, I have a garmin watch that displays notifications for things, but they automatically disappear and you cannot figure out what they were.

I think being overwhelmed by alarms should be matched with the confidence that you can find the alarm if you accidentally dismiss it or something important comes up.

[nerdsniper]

Chemical companies could allow vendors to sponsor various alarms in their plants: "the Flowserve(tm) High-Level alarm on T102 is active!"..."the Flowserve(tm) High-Level alarm on T102 is active!". Then there could be a contractual minimum for the number of times that ad needs to be served to operators and engineers, otherwise the chemical plant would need to refund Flowserve for the unused ad campaign credits. Lowering the threshold of the high-level alarm would optimize ad revenue!

[watwut]

But like, do my washing machine or microwave needs an engagement? It is not displaying ads.

[arethuza]

"do my washing machine or microwave needs an engagement? It is not displaying ads."

Not yet, though I suspect that time will come.

[canpan]

Uhm, my recent washing machine purchase involved actively looking for not needing an app. They did try hard though, for example by offering 3 more years of warranty when you install the app.

[Am4TIfIsER0ppos]

Either the cost or repair/replacement during those extra 3 years is really low or your data is really valuable. Adds flavor to the challenge in designing it to last just long enough to leave warranty.

[account42]

Data is probably not the only advantage they get from the app. For example, you are more likely to purchase other appliances from the same vendor so that you can have them all in the same app.

[rightbyte]

My washing machine doesn't beep when it is done. My dryer does. So I some times don't time the emptying of the washing machine and have to wait a couple of minutes and the dryer annoyingly beeps when done.

How about an alarm with a mute button. Then everyone can be happy.

[pjc50]

Everything is an advertisement for itself. Good or bad.

[m463]

see, if you had copy/pasted the "alarm" text here we would have all been exposed to the brand and model washing machine or microwave!