What first world problem did you have today?

[Svnla]

Went to McDonalds & Best Buy. McDonalds had outdoor vertical TV screens for the drive-thru menus. Except it had crashed (browser issue). Best Buy had fridges with vertical touchscreens in them. Had also crashed, but with a security certificate error. Made me chuckle!

This is why I am leery about the IoT/all things automated. Nope. Not for now. Maybe later when things are more stable.

 

[snoopy7548]

Going to take my airpods pro to Apple today to convince them they are total garbage. They just announced a recall of sorts that addresses the problems I've been having.

Hopefully they just replace them and don't give me BS. I always feel dumb reaching out to them for help.

You shouldn't feel dumb about asking for help. You should feel dumb about buying Airpods in the first place.

 

[pete6032]

This is why I am leery about the IoT/all things automated. Nope. Not for now. Maybe later when things are more stable.

It's just another thing to break when it's integrated into consumer products. No real benefit to having an internet connected fridge.

 

[Red Squirrel]

This is why I am leery about the IoT/all things automated. Nope. Not for now. Maybe later when things are more stable.

The only IoT thing I'll touch is something I design myself. All this proprietary stuff that requires apps and accounts etc is spying on you big time. Not to mention having to rely on an outside service that will make your stuff a paperweight if the service stops working.

Unfortunately I think this will become a trend where we are forced as everything will be "smart". Smart TVs are already that way, same with Teslas and possibly other cars. You don't REALLY own it . They can send a signal at a moment's notice to change stuff on you or disable it altogether if they really wanted to. Not to mention the fact that they track your every move.

It's one of the reasons I'm not really into game consoles anymore, they're just glorified proprietary cloud connected PCs now. I miss the old days of plug and play Nintendo where nothing relied on the internet.

 

[amdhunter]

You shouldn't feel dumb about asking for help. You should feel dumb about buying Airpods in the first place.

Gift. I’d never pay money for these shits.

 

[MrSquished]

My temporary first world problem - I have to live off of organic protein shakes from Whole Foods today, and then just a liquid diet tomorrow - broth, tea, etc...

 

[sdifox]

My temporary first world problem - I have to live off of organic protein shakes from Whole Foods today, and then just a liquid diet tomorrow - broth, tea, etc...

Chicken noodle soup. Blend well.

 

[Kaido]

The only IoT thing I'll touch is something I design myself. All this proprietary stuff that requires apps and accounts etc is spying on you big time. Not to mention having to rely on an outside service that will make your stuff a paperweight if the service stops working.

Unfortunately I think this will become a trend where we are forced as everything will be "smart". Smart TVs are already that way, same with Teslas and possibly other cars. You don't REALLY own it . They can send a signal at a moment's notice to change stuff on you or disable it altogether if they really wanted to. Not to mention the fact that they track your every move.

It's one of the reasons I'm not really into game consoles anymore, they're just glorified proprietary cloud connected PCs now. I miss the old days of plug and play Nintendo where nothing relied on the internet.

Check this bad boy out:

Unleash Creativity with LattePanda Alpha SBC

Empower your projects with the LattePanda Alpha SBC, featuring Intel m3-8100Y, Windows 10, Linux, and Arduino compatibility. Ideal for makers and developers!

www.dfrobot.com

Macbook board (Core m3) with an Adruino coprocessor. Has GPIO's & everything built right in! This would have been AMAZING back when I was into DIY smarthome stuff!

 

[Kaido]

This is why I am leery about the IoT/all things automated. Nope. Not for now. Maybe later when things are more stable.

My rule is that it has to have a manual backup. For example, I've outfitted my entire rental with Caseta switches. They operate on/off/dim standalone, but also talk to the Lutron hub to work via Alexa. So "manual enhanced" is my route. Same with my door (Schlage with a touchscreen, but also a key) & other goodies.

 

[Kaido]

My first world problem today:

1. Went to the mall for the first time in probably years

2. Took an escalator down to the lower level

3. The escalator broke on the way down, I kid you not. Everyone almost fell off it due to the jerk, borderline lawsuit. Had to walk down like a peasant.

 

[MrSquished]

Chicken noodle soup. Blend well.

Can't even have that tomorrow. Just clear liquid diet. A thicker creamy soup would leave too much residue in my esophagus. Something is wrong with my esophagus, it doesn't push food down properly. Possible achalasia. Some rare disease.

 

[sdifox]

Can't even have that tomorrow. Just clear liquid diet. A thicker creamy soup would leave too much residue in my esophagus. Something is wrong with my esophagus, it doesn't push food down properly. Possible achalasia. Some rare disease.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Me? I was on a Zoom call for work and had to take a leak. My zoom app got unmuted and they heard the toilet flush.

When I returned back to the app, I saw the words, "The host has muted you". When the call concluded, one of the guys said, "Welcome to the world of Zoom." He was totally calling me out. Oh well, I really don't care. I need more stories to tell about my bodily functions.

 

[sdifox]

Me? I was on a Zoom call for work and had to take a leak. My zoom app got unmuted and they heard the toilet flush.

When I returned back to the app, I saw the words, "The host has muted you". When the call concluded, one of the guys said, "Welcome to the world of Zoom." He was totally calling me out. Oh well, I really don't care. I need more stories to tell about my bodily functions.

Toobin, just stop!

 

[MtnMan]

This is why I am leery about the IoT/all things automated. Nope. Not for now. Maybe later when things are more stable.

My career has been in computer technology, starting with mainframes from the early 70's, through PC's, servers, networking, and teaching networking in retirement.

I don't need a screen on my refrigerator, I am perfectly capable of dealing with lights/lamps with on/off switches. I am perfectly happy with the requirement that I have a programmable but not connected thermostat. If I need to switch from A/C to heat, I am perfectly happy with walking down the hall to do so.

 

[MtnMan]

My first world problem today:

1. Went to the mall for the first time in probably years

2. Took an escalator down to the lower level

3. The escalator broke on the way down, I kid you not. Everyone almost fell off it due to the jerk, borderline lawsuit. Had to walk down like a peasant.

How quickly did the fire department respond to rescue everyone stuck on the escalator?

 

[Scarpozzi]

Toobin, just stop!

Yeah...maybe. I don't think my camera was on. It was a rough day, that's for sure. =P

Luckily no ladies were on the call, but a VP was. Anyhow....I haven't heard from HR yet.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Check this bad boy out:

Unleash Creativity with LattePanda Alpha SBC

Empower your projects with the LattePanda Alpha SBC, featuring Intel m3-8100Y, Windows 10, Linux, and Arduino compatibility. Ideal for makers and developers!

www.dfrobot.com

Macbook board (Core m3) with an Adruino coprocessor. Has GPIO's & everything built right in! This would have been AMAZING back when I was into DIY smarthome stuff!

Wow that looks really cool. Wonder if I can find a place in Canada that sells that. Don't need it for anything at this point but it could be useful in applications where a Raspberry Pi is not quite enough but a full blown PC is overkill. GPIOs are nice too.

I've been brainstorming a protocol for when I start designing my own home automation system, could work well with something like this though a RPI would probably do just as well. Everything else will be based on atmega8 microcontrollers.

 

[nutxo]

I just got home. My yard is fucked. Shits broken all over the place. I'm trying to talk to these fuckers but no one speaks fucking english. I'm going come home early tomorrow and take pics in the daylight. I am so fucking angry I want to break something.

 

[highland145]

Call the police. File a report.

 

[highland145]

And go kick your neighbor's s ass

 

[sdifox]

I just got home. My yard is fucked. Shits broken all over the place. I'm trying to talk to these fuckers but no one speaks fucking english. I'm going come home early tomorrow and take pics in the daylight. I am so fucking angry I want to break something.

liability is on your neighbour, go talk to them.

 

[Captante]

My boss bought me a 256GB iPhone 12 Pro in graphite, but I really wanted a green 12 mini in any size. I'll take it though.

Ya srsly wtf?1?!

 

[Captante]

It's just another thing to break when it's integrated into consumer products. No real benefit to having an internet connected fridge.

I fixed my last Maytag belt-drive dryer a bunch of times over 17 years. (went from gf's to wife's to ex-wife's during that time lol) Took 4 screws and about 20 minutes if you took your time plus the readily available part cost under $10.

She replaced it not because it couldn't be fixed again which I'm sure it could have but because she didn't like the way it looked with 2 dials and 4 heavy-duty buttons. (all metal)

Shortly AFTER the warranty expired the fancy high-tech (but shiny!) replacement unit needed replacement of what was effectively a small motherboard. I was able to find the part online, install it for her and get it to work (think jumpers/dip-switchs) but most folks would be paying for service and the part itself was over $200 shipped.




Keep in mind the above is pretty much a best-case scenario especially if you move beyond just needing large/complex circuit boards to actual "smart" appliances. My guess is that most of those will be "orphaned" support-wise sooner rather than later on hardware and software.

My advice for home appliances is that if you plan on keeping them for awhile buy the highest quality NON-IOT's model and (if possible) non-major electronic controls of any kind one as well. Also look for one which uses parts they have on the shelf in Home Depot or online from Amazon.

 

[Red Squirrel]

This is why we badly need right to repair legislation, and forcing companies to provide schematics and service manuals. Sadly I doubt that will happen. I do hope that when we are forced to buy all this smart crap because of no other options, that at very least the base components like the motors, compressors etc are still "dumb" ex: just a bunch of coils with wires accessible, and not something with potted electronics that will only turn on if it gets a special signal. That way it should be trivial to bypass all the smart crap and put in your own electronics.

Was talking with someone today and the great reset got brought up , and they said it already started, and when you think about it, it makes sense. All this smart stuff is the beginning. When your items remove control or spy on you or only work with an account tied to the cloud - ex your phone, you don't really own it anymore, it owns you. It's the very start of the utopia the powers that be are going for. They will eventually make everything not only smart, but also subscription based. There are already companies trying to push that with washer and dryers where you're basically renting it and it's internet connected and will stop working if you don't pay the subscription fee. You will own nothing and be happy.