Are internet connected appliances really a good idea?

I question the idea of having appliances connected to the internet. Do you really want your toaster to update latest windows security packs? And talk to the 'fridge?
Toast----buffering..please wait.

Posted by: Sam1148
June 30, 2012

2775 views
10 Comments

10 Comments

threefresheggs July 1, 2012

And, I do not need my 'fridge, stove or toaster commenting on how many calories I've consumed today, and blabbing to my desktop, facebook & you people all about it :)

Sam1148 July 1, 2012

Just wait until your toilet does urine tests.

threefresheggs July 1, 2012

Hy husband wants a kitchen-mount-ipad-cookbook because my crazy sheafs of oily, wrinkled papers drive, and my maniacal searches for something I haven't cooked since last winter, drive him bananas. I swear he came up with the idea before Apple came out with the ipad. I keep trying to tell him it would never work, because I would still have do do proper filing – what I need is a secrétarie de la cuisine – which is decidedly low-tech and way more expensive than an ipad :(

An internet connected stove would terrify me! What if it gets a virus, or hacked, or whatever and turns itself on for pizza whilst we are away on vacation?

Sam1148 July 1, 2012

Don't get me wrong I love technology and internet stuff and my Ipad. But I think it should be appropriate technology. For example I really want a 'fridge mount for the Ipad to use as a cookbook in the kitchen.
http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Fridge-Mount-iPad-2/dp/B005NHR6MU
With that it isn't integrated into fridge and in 5 years I can use a better Ipad for the task and not worry about a integrated screen which would probably not support newer/better devices as form factors change and new stuff tech stuff rolls out.

Sam1148 July 1, 2012

One thing about internet gizmos is their life span. A major appliance should last 20 years or more.
The lifespan of a internet gizmo is about 5 years...before it's junk. Why oh why would I even want to operate my washing machine from my iPhone? I rue the day when our 30 year old washing machine goes belly up. I like the mechanical dials which don't fry when there's a power surge.
Our dishwasher has a touchpad and logic board which would have cost 280 dollars to replace if we hadn't traced the problem to bad thermal fuse on the board and plugged in a new for for 30 bucks. Which was still over priced for a fuse IMHO.

Dea H. July 1, 2012

I am not sure about internet-connected, but I really like the idea of a cupboard/fridge system that keeps track of what I have and the various expiration dates. The other day I read about a refrigerator (coming down the pike) that automatically moves older food toward the front of the fridge. Is this a necessary thing? My heavens, no. Would I like to have it? Yes, but not enough to spend a small fortune for it.,

SKK July 1, 2012

I am with allans - absolutely NO. The simpler the better. Same with autos. Several of my friends have new state of the art high end autos with all the 'conveniences'. Car unlocks because it senses the key's in pockets and purses, car notifies when crossing yellow lines, car has tv screen descend when driver is backing up, car turns on wipers when it senses rain on windshield. All fine until you have to fix something. For example, little knick in windshield requires whole new windshield because wipers go crazy and because of new computer chip or whatever costs $2000.00.

Pegeen July 1, 2012

As always, it's a fine line between Big Brother-ism and innovating convenience & service. I know my future will probably include a fridge/freezer (and kitchen cabinet doors) with bar-code readers, to keep track of my food inventory and handle "automatic" restocking with my various supermarkets/shops a common service. The coupon opportunities are frightening. I try to reconcile this in my mind with farm-to-fork.

Sam1148 July 1, 2012

The problem with automatic "Just in Time" ordering for food is that it probably wouldn't work as well as you might think. As an armchair futurist I can foresee many problems with that model.
When food becomes like a 'stock market' with home devices reporting expected demand and even shortages being created to maximize profits. (which we already see but without that level of reporting future demand at a home level). Small farmers would be at risk and consumers would end up paying higher prices for a 'just in time' supply line---so nothing would be sale as it would already be 'sold' before it hits the trucks. If there's a way for corporations to abuse or rigg the system to their advantage, they'll take it.
So, if you get one of those things---you might want to take a weekend or four to read the 800 page End-User-Agreement about what info gets reported and to whom.

allans July 1, 2012

I say NO. One more thing to go wrong, and consider this: after many years with a serviceable range, my MIL decided to purchase new. Nothing too fancy, just a KithenAide Convection/solid surface. Came with a few bells and whistles that weren't needed, but one we all loved - temperature probe for roasts. Roast meats turned out fantastic, until the computer died. $1,200 to repair an 8 yo range! Who needs a computer on a range? Not us, we decided. Going back to a basic next time. I can check the temp manually, thank you.

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