The internet of things is stupid

[frorider]

https://qz.com/951366/this-response-...ct-everything/

Maybe this is why Tesla owners don't complain too loudly about issues.

[old goat]

amen (but maybe you don't want an old fart agreeing with you about technology).
Although it would be nice to have an app that tells me if my garage door is closed, since I'm always worrying that I left it open and drive back to check. It's always closed.

[warthog]

I work in the electrical field as a direct factory rep. Many of my competitors are constantly pushing their new fully automated houses, lights, fans, garage doors, everything tied to Alexa, Google, etc. My company thinks it is stupid. Of course, we were founded in 1888, so we don't move too quickly on the technology bandwagon. We are not early adopters of anything, and we are very slow to change. It works in my industry.

I will say, some of it is cool. But, besides the WOW factor, you have to ask yourself how useful it is. If you leave town, it is pretty cool that you can cycle your lights, know if stuff is open, etc. The different mood and activity settings for lighting are cool. The thing is, I talk to more and more homeowners that are just saying,"I just want to turn on my god damn lights. Why is this so fucking hard."

I guess that is my target customer. The get off my lawn guy. Glad there are so many of us left.

If you are looking at any of these types of systems, Lutron is the best out there. Don't even mess with the rest. You will pay for the Lutron system, but it is plug an play, and the app is super easy, and intuitive. I still want nothing to do with it though.

[Core Shot]

https://qz.com/951366/this-response-...ct-everything/

Maybe this is why Tesla owners don't complain too loudly about issues.

that is hillarious!

A customer of Garadget, an internet-connected garage-door system that can remotely open and close doors, recently found themselves locked out of their garage. This is because they left a one-star review of the $99 monitoring system on Amazon, and called it a “piece of shit” on Garadget’s support forum, according to Ars Technica. Responding to both actions, a representative for the company told the customer:

The abusive language here and in your negative Amazon review, submitted minutes after experiencing a technical difficulty, only demonstrates your poor impulse control. I’m happy to provide the technical support to the customers on my Saturday night but I’m not going to tolerate any tantrums.

At this time your only option is return Garadget to Amazon for refund. Your unit ID 2f0036… will be denied server connection.

[DBdude]

the internet of things is problematic at the moment. the problem is commodity type products that are quickly brought to market and not supported. do you want something in your house that can be cracked wide open and used to monitor you activity? do you want to deal with putting a software service pack on your 10 year old refrigerator? If the manufacturer even provides one?

[MarcusBrody]

I'm not really tech-phobic, but I'm just not that interested in most home automation. When I have my own home down the line, I would be interested in some automatically or programmable blinds/shutters though for temperature control and maybe some temperature control on the lights. Also I want an app that turns out lights behind my wife as she leaves rooms.

[Beaver]

I work in the electrical field designing buildings (residential, commercial, industial), pump stations, water and sewage treatment plants, energy utilities.... To date none of my clients have wanted any of this shit. The closest they ever get is a bit of lighting control. I think this "because we can" internet controlled shit will die because it is just unnecessary expensive shit.

[nickwm21]

For the home owner things like Nest therm, Nest cam, Schlage Connect, Hue, Sonos are examples of how IoT tech is great.
Things like the Samsung smart refrigerators and washer/dryers are examples of how IoT tech can be a waste of time.

A sophisticated, connected BMS system is pretty standard in larger commercial and public buildings

Also, I really don't understand the point of Alexa/Google home, when we all carry smartphones all day.

[riser4]

the internet of things is problematic at the moment. the problem is commodity type products that are quickly brought to market and not supported. do you want something in your house that can be cracked wide open and used to monitor you activity? do you want to deal with putting a software service pack on your 10 year old refrigerator? If the manufacturer even provides one?

Pretty much.

[Hott Butt Mud]

It's not safe. At all.

Like one poster already said, shit is not supported, patched or even rolled out from the start with security in mind.

There was a power plant that was taken down because of a botnet that used internet of things devices in a ddos attack.... not to mention that if your fridge, lights, heater, garage, doors, etc. are on the internet, they can, and will be hacked.

Maybe if Joe homeowner had his own Palo Alto firewall at home and a VPN connection from his phone, it could possibly be safer, but still, if the device is meant to be accessible from the internet, it is not going to be secure. I think a networked home on a LAN might be more practical, but that even is a stretch right now.

[mecc69]

I've yet to see a convincing argument for why I need a smart TV, fridge, stove, dishwasher, laundry machine or hot water heater to name a few. It's planned obsolescence taken to the extreme. These are once every 10+ year purchases. You can't even run a smartphone for more than 2 before it is bogging down and dying under the weight of software upgrades assuming they support the hardware (essentially killed an iPhone and Google Nexus tablet just with upgrades to keep up with basic web tech). Killed a Roku some how, guess what, the TV still works and has an HDMI port. $40 later I have a better piece of tech, that was cheaper than the original.

With the GE Laundry app, you'll be able to:

• Monitor cycle status & time remaining
• Extend the dryer cycle
• Receive an alert when your cycle has finished, but the door has not been opened
• Download custom specialty cycles
• Monitor levels of SmartDispense tanks

What an amazing use of technology. Take something that frees up time and turn it into something that is a time sink.

Here's a downside to the internet of things — companies can potentially disconnect your smart devices and leave them essentially useless at any time.


A Texas man who runs his smart home with a $299 US ($393) device called the Revolv hub is angry and dismayed to learn that the Nest, the Google affiliate that makes the device, will "brick" it on May 15.
"I mean that on May 15th they will actually turn off the device and disable your ability to use the hardware that you paid for," wrote Arlo Gilbert in an article on Medium Monday.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/re...cked-1.3521927

Best $300 that guy ever spent I bet.

And that doesn't even touch the security problems.

[BmillsSkier]

The ability to surf TGR forums from my fridge will save me hours when I finally upgrade.

I'm sure of it.

[ACH]

THE INTERNET OF THINGS IS STUPID

And apparently vindictive

[riser4]

You want vindictive internet users? We got them here: http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-39522164

[abraham]

And someone's made a virus to brick unsecured iot devices..... https://arstechnica.com/security/201...d-iot-devices/

Smart refrigerators mean no more expired hot dog TRs. And DD's fridge is gonna kick his ass for filling it with the shit he eats

[warthog]

I work in the electrical field designing buildings (residential, commercial, industial), pump stations, water and sewage treatment plants, energy utilities.... To date none of my clients have wanted any of this shit. The closest they ever get is a bit of lighting control. I think this "because we can" internet controlled shit will die because it is just unnecessary expensive shit.

I work for Hubbell. You might have heard of us We are playing with one or two cool pieces of tech right now.
We have embedded RFID chips in the cord clamps on twist lock and straight blade plugs and connectors. It allows us to "count" cord sets at large convention centers and amusement parks for special events. I also have Feld Entertainment looking at it for their ice shows. You would be amazed at how many cord sets these guys lose over a year. Of course, we are sort of cannibalizing our own sales a bit too.
The other piece of "tech" we came up with is a silicon self sealing receptacle. We are launching a kitchen and bath pop up receptacle that will withstand 1/2 gallon of water spilled from 9 inches away. We just got a 3R rating on the assembly, so we will be able to use it in outdoor kitchens too.
We also sell USB receptacles. We came out with a 5 amp output Type "C" USB recently that is really taking off.
I find this all useful tech. The IOT stuff just seems like a passing phase. Guess we will see.

[iceman]

I work for Hubbell. You might have heard of us

Love your telescopes.

[Phill]

The timer for the pool filter bit the dust and for the exact same price as a replacement I bought programable double wifi relay which not only does what the timer used to do but I can also control some outdoor lights from my phone as well.

Seems like a win.

[abraham]

Love your telescopes.

Dyslexiaaaaaaa

[Skidog]

.

A sophisticated, connected BMS system is pretty standard in larger commercial and public buildings

.

This is what my company does. It gets complicated but yeah not new, just new to the general public.

Edit to add that all the clients we work for, these BMS systems are NOT connected to the internet. Totally closed systems.

[RShea]

amen (but maybe you don't want an old fart agreeing with you about technology).
Although it would be nice to have an app that tells me if my garage door is closed, since I'm always worrying that I left it open and drive back to check. It's always closed.

There are openers/sensors and an app for that. http://lifehacker.com/5812718/contro...our-smartphone

Or you could even do a surveillance camera that shows the garage and could be monitored from your cell phone. But then if it was open, you'd have to drive back or get someone to close it without the above solution but there would be less likelihood of the garage door sensor being hacked over the internet. But then when the garage door automatic openers came out we all heard about the fact that someone else's remote would open a door that was not their own.

[Peruvian]

Just more companies selling fear.

It's the new sex in marketing circles.

[alias_rice]

I am currently looking for a new fridge. I can't believe the shit they try to sell on these things. "This one is nice because you knock on the door and you can see through it." Can't I just open the door to see what is in there? "This one has a cool electronic white board and it only costs an extra $1,500." What is wrong with my magnetic white board I got for $2.99?

I am still holding out for the fridge that comes preprogrammed with fake report cards showing straight A's. Then I will finally be the coolest guy on the block.

[riser4]

Danno may be waiting for the toilet model

A fridge with a toilet? How very efficient.

[Core Shot]

I confess to loving Sonos. And to having a couple wifi thermostats (great for turning up the heat before you arrive).

But I said no thanks to the internet front door lock.

I did, however get the electronic keypad schlage deadbolt. Its actually more secure than a key deadbolt (just google lock bumping), and I never carry house keys anymore!