Appliances Should be Dumb

posted by Roy Schestowitz on Sep 24, 2026

A fortnight ago: Televisions Have Become Billboards

In the news: 'Our Food Needs To Be Thrown Out': Samsung Hey Hi (AI) Fridges 'Freeze' After Update, Leaving Owners Furious

Some Samsung Bespoke Hey Hi (AI) refrigerator owners in South Korea say an official SmartThings update caused cooling failures and other problems before Chuseok, prompting an emergency recovery operation.

Half a year ago: It's Not Just a Widespread Theory, It's Apparently a Verified Fact: Home Appliances Not Made to Last Long

Appliances such as televisions no longer work properly. Any "Smart Home Appliance" is basically a thing that does not last long, does not work as advertised, and is generally unfit for purpose. It's often subsidised to make it seem attractive/inevitable; the spying (surveillance) 'subsidises' it at the expense of the time, dignity, and safety of all users/bystanders inside the home.

Tomorrow I expect that some company will try to 'sell' us some "Smart Meters" again. Of course we'll decline, but it'll be a diplomatic endeavour as they financially penalise people who say "no".

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