• CalOtsu@kbin.social
        161·
        10 months ago

        It’s reporting usage and error data back to the company. As an engineer who used to work on appliances that did this the data is used to drive design direction as well as find trends in failure that we could make changes for.

        • ironhydroxide@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
          191·
          10 months ago

          In this era of late stage capitalism, the only changes that will be made from this data will be changes that make the company more profit. Not necessarily changes that make the device more reliable, durable, or have a greater longevity.

          • LoveSausage@lemmy.ml
            32·
            10 months ago

            Exactly , you still got DDR fridges going strong today. But can’t build too good stuff , who gonna buy new appliances then?

  • Synapse@lemmy.world
    241·
    10 months ago

    I don’t understand why washing machine should be connected to the internet. At my appartment I use the laundry room, we have some shared washing machines and dryers there. It use to functions with some coins, you buy the coins from the clerc, put the coin in a machine that is free, get 3 hours of usage. Last year they decided that this was too practical, so they replaced the coin system with a new systems that puts the machine online and use an app. I am wondering how the more eldery tenants are dealing with this, it’s so complicated ! 1st you need a smartphone, then you need to register an online payment method on the app, you need to reserve your machine in advance, the machine will activate/stop based on some obscure conditions (no longer a simple timer, it’s measuring the current drawn from the outlet to determin if the machine is in use, I presume). It’s frustration how useless and unpractical this thing is ! In the end, it’s the same old washing machines…