When your washing machine has a MAC address... - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 11, 2013, 11:03:08 pm
content: What were these people smoking when they came up with this...

author: David_AVD
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 11, 2013, 11:11:02 pm
content: Umm.... so you can start a cycle from your phone, but you'd still have to go put the clothes (and detergent presumably) in anyway!About the only use I can think of is to know when it's finished or has a problem (off balance) and you have a large house.As an aside, I find instructions for web site account sign-ups amusing; they say "click here to accept the terms and conditions" almost in a way that says "trust me, just tick this box without reading the terms and conditions".

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 11, 2013, 11:17:16 pm
content: You know, maybe if we started providing marketing folk with actual, human porn, they'd stop masturbating to ridiculous Internet connectivity ideas.

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 11, 2013, 11:19:58 pm
content: Quote from: David_AVD on July 11, 2013, 11:11:02 pmWe've finally got a washer that's MCU-driven, instead of the old timer knob, and it appears to solve its own imbalance problems by stopping and shaking the basket back and forth a few times.As for when it's finished, well, it's finished in about the same time as it always is. Look at a clock.This is 100% useless marketing wankery.

author: lewis
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 11, 2013, 11:27:56 pm
content: Came acrossthis the other day- it's a collar for a cat that has a QR code on it so if your cat gets lost the person who finds the cat scans the QR code with their smartphone, goes online, downloads an app, to allow them to send an email to you telling you your cat is lost and to come and get it.Or just get your telephone number engraved on the collar like we've been doing for thousands of fucking years.Anyway, whoever designed that washing machine should be shot. Always design any product with the full expectation that the owner will set fire to the manual before even reading it. If it ain't intuitive, it ain't no good.

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 11, 2013, 11:44:52 pm
content: Quote from: lewis on July 11, 2013, 11:27:56 pmI don't know if I'm amazed or entirely unsurprised that the dingbat who came up with this idea appears to be entirely unaware that emails can be sent server-side.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 11, 2013, 11:52:04 pm
content: Quote from: c4757p on July 11, 2013, 11:44:52 pmEasier to push his ads if you have to install the app.

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 11, 2013, 11:53:23 pm
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on July 11, 2013, 11:03:08 pmPowdered Tide?

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2013, 12:02:59 am
content: Is that what they're calling it now?

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2013, 12:36:38 am
content: Quote from: c4757p on July 12, 2013, 12:02:59 amHeh - yea.

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2013, 12:51:04 am
content: I wish it would actually listen to your phone call - that's how the next company will up the ante -"Hello washer? Yea it's me xrunner. Can you do that load for me in about 30 minutes? Thanks bro! Oh and have an extra rinse cycle on me!"

author: NerdCore
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2013, 01:03:10 am
content: I'd rather have something which will put the stuff from the washer into the dryer. I think it would be cheaper to get a machine without the microcontroller and have an Arduino hooked up to the piezo sensor which can send you an alert when the buzzer goes off. WAY cheaper IMHO

author: Harvs
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2013, 01:12:39 am
content: I'm actually surprised it doesn't link to your FB/twit account and auto post status updates that you're washing your clothes. Maybe it does and the promo just doesn't show it...

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2013, 01:18:27 am
content: Quote from: NerdCore on July 12, 2013, 01:03:10 amAn Arduino?Arduino my ass...

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2013, 01:22:37 am
content: Quote from: Harvs on July 12, 2013, 01:12:39 amWith those ideas you can definitely get a job at that company!

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2013, 01:27:02 am
content: pff. this one has full blown graphical user interface with touch screenhttp://www.samsung.com/us/appliances/washers-dryers/WF457ARGSGR/AA

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2013, 01:27:52 am
content: Dunno whats worse. Products like this or the fact that there are people who'll actually buy it because of thus "feature" and probably brag about it at partiesAt any rate I hope they sell heaps of them that way in 12 months time when they reach end of life, curb side pick up day will yield lan enabled motor drivers

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2013, 01:30:28 am
content: Quote from: free_electron on July 12, 2013, 01:27:02 amFrom that link -QuoteWho the f*ck needs to monitor the washing machinewhile running errands? How did we ever survive without that?

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2013, 01:35:13 am
content: We spent $400 on our washing machine. Just sayin'. What confuses me is that someone who's efficient enough with their money to accumulate enough to spend nearly $2000 on a washing machine would beloose enough with their money to spend nearly $2000 on a washing machine.Quote from: xrunner on July 12, 2013, 01:30:28 amTrendy iDumbShits with more money than common sense.

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2013, 01:37:14 am
content: PowerFoam™! SpeedSpray™! PureCycle™! VRT Plus™! JustWashMyGoddamnLaundryPlease™!

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2013, 01:40:47 am
content: Quote from: c4757p on July 12, 2013, 01:35:13 amCan you imagine the conversations out running errands?"Oh hello Mrs. Smith did you want to pick up your dry cleaning?""Yes ... oh wait a minute ... Oh no - I have to run home my washing machine just called!"""Damn I'm having a blast with this topic.

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2013, 01:44:18 am
content: More like"Oh hello Mrs. Smith did you want to pick up your dry cleaning?""Look what my Samsung Wash'n'Wank can do!" *shoves Samsung Galaxy S4 in clerk's face*"Oh wow! I'm going to buy three!"Or at least, that's how I picture the marketing guys describing it.

author: David_AVD
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2013, 01:46:18 am
content: I can see where integration of some appliances into the home network could be useful (home automation).Marketing people need to come up with ways to get the public introduced to the concept.Unfortunately some of those ideas seem to be half baked, with no clearly defined benefit.

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2013, 01:48:30 am
content: Quote from: c4757p on July 12, 2013, 01:44:18 amOh I know, and they may be right.You know it used to be you would say "What is everyone going to do if the power goes out. Everyone will be helpless!"Now it's ""What is everyone going to do if all the smartphones fail. Everyone will be helpless!"

author: David_AVD
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2013, 01:58:48 am
content: Quote from: xrunner on July 12, 2013, 01:48:30 amAdding extra functionality (remote start / monitor) to appliances is fine. Just don't make it the only way to control it !

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2013, 02:23:50 am
content: I think the people who came up with this idea were more thanhalfbaked.

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2013, 03:08:14 am
content: Not for me. I don't want the NSA monitoring my laundry habits...

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2013, 03:13:54 am
content: Quote from: mtdoc on July 12, 2013, 03:08:14 amOh noooooooooo!!!!!

author: GK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2013, 03:17:04 am
content: Quote from: NerdCore on July 12, 2013, 01:03:10 amTraditionally called a wife.

author: sleemanj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2013, 05:26:28 am
content: The fact that it's pointless aside, this has to be the most ridiculously complicated setup procedure ever!They should just have a QR code label on the device, and the setup should be "point phone at label, press this button".

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2013, 05:37:23 am
content: About the only useful situation I can think of in the "connectivity" stakes is power management. Hook it up to off peak power and run the wash cycle when the ripple comes down the line. Does it report instantaneous power consumption? that may be useful also

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 12, 2013, 07:00:28 am
content: Is this the latest gimmick to sell white goods in an already saturated market, our TV Samsung no remote you wave your hands in front of it ,like you belong in the crazy farm, by the way , I didn't choose it, wife and daughters bought it to keep up with the joneses.

author: david77
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2013, 07:38:53 am
content: I have the wet washing sitting in the machine fo hours on end, the machine is clever enough to recognise this and turns the drum over every few minutes. This prevents crinkles or the wash to start rotting. Works pretty well and the machine's only hooked up to mains, cold water and waste water. No LAN connection neccessary, thank you Miele.

author: KedasProbe
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2013, 08:07:57 am
content: You are all thinking about it the wrong way.It's designed by woman so their man would be asking if they can do the laundry.Before you know it all cleaning tools will have an app and your wife will be in the sun checking your progress on her phone while you think it's fun

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2013, 08:57:02 am
content: Samsung are very big at pushing silly features but what I'd really like from a washing machine is a 10 year lifespan, like our old one with a mechanical timer! How long till water ingress in the touchscreen screws it up?

author: mickpah
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2013, 08:59:48 am
content: Quote from: tom66 on July 12, 2013, 08:57:02 ammore so the detergent. Very alkaline and corrosive

author: firewalker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2013, 09:01:36 am
content: This is is the most stupid thing for a washing machine. Washing machines should be strictly electromechanical with rugged micros 8-bit when necessary. Numerous friends of mine owns washing machines with LCDs, smart washings cycles etc. Full of troubles and main board failures.The same goes for refrigerators.Alexander.

author: peter.mitchell
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2013, 09:04:01 am
content: You'd think that for 2 grand, they'd combine the freakin' washer and drier into a single unit...

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2013, 09:07:25 am
content: I assume it has ethernet, imagine trying to enter a secure Wifi key

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2013, 09:24:01 am
content: I would not buy that anyway! it does not come with a web cam fitted, so that I can watch my cloths go around on my phone or broadcast my washing to the world, epic fail.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2013, 09:28:15 am
content: Quote from: G7PSK on July 12, 2013, 09:24:01 amIf it had a webcam you could hold up a QRcode printout of your wifi key instead of entering it.

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2013, 09:40:00 am
content: Quote from: tom66 on July 12, 2013, 08:57:02 am10 years? I have one here which is from the mid 70s and still working well.

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2013, 11:19:27 am
content: Quote from: Psi on July 12, 2013, 09:07:25 amAnd what if you have internet problems?"Hello Charter Cable, I'm having problems with the internet""Well what's wrong sir?""I can't talk to my washing machine any more!""Well try to remain calm sir. Can you slowly approach the machine and press the start button yourself?""Uh, I think so. I'm not sure how to anymore.""Good. Try to start the machine yourself. ""But my smartphone CAN'T TALK TO IT ANYMORE!"

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2013, 02:05:32 pm
content: I want clothes with embedded rfid chips that tell my machine what i'm throwing in the drum.The machine figures out what is the optimum cycle , executes it , a conveyor belt hands it to to dryer , who does its thing and done. All clothes are made of rymplon (tm) of course.Rymplon is a material designed to look good when wrinkled. Go look it up.

author: 4to20Milliamps
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2013, 03:33:04 pm
content: It would appear that samsung's phones aren't compatible with their washing machineshttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.samsung.washer&hl=enWoman>smartphone>laundry.....makes sense to me.

author: lewis
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2013, 03:56:57 pm
content: <dave>WWWWWWHHHHHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!??Bloody dickheads....</dave>

author: BillyD
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2013, 05:06:19 pm
content: Quote from: Harvs on July 12, 2013, 01:12:39 amalmost choked on my drink when I read that, cos it's so true.Thanks to FB I am already kept instantly up to date with where my friends are having coffee, what book they just finished on their Kindle, how many K they just ran, etc etc so it's only a matter of time before the world will know whenever I finish my whites, brush my teeth, boil the kettle....

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2013, 05:12:22 pm
content: I'm sorry but that's the stupidest use of technology I've seen in a long time. Now what happensifwhen it doesn't work?The causes could be -A. The washer internet circuitB. The home routerC. The internet providerD. The SmartphoneWho is the customer going to call? If they call Samsung what will Samsung do? I don't understand why they want to create a support nightmare with this gizmo, and trust me it's going to be a support nightmare when grandma can't start her washer from her smartphone in bed. Give me a fucking break!

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2013, 01:52:29 pm
content: Quote from: tom66 on July 12, 2013, 08:57:02 am10 years? Our's has been running for my entire lifetime, 17 years! I bet this one will have its plastic break in the first 5 years of sitting next to a window.These appliances tend to get more complicated all the time. All I want for a stove, for example is 4 or 5 burners, a grill I can place on top and 4 or 5 knobs. The only electronic function I would like in a stove is a temperature readout for the oven, accurate to ±10 degrees C is enough. And that doesn't even need to be electronic... No timers, I can buy as many egg timers as I need and microwaves already have one built in.Microwaves are done right. So are the more basic blenders. All I need for a fridge to be digital is energy saving schedules. Trust me, nobody is gonna watch TV or recipes on a fridge. I would spend my money on a tablet and a cooking app instead.There is something that I want to be digital, though. Toaster ovens tend to have a very bad manual timer knob. It breaks after 6 months of use and doesn't work right. The temperature regulation is bad, in my opinion (not that you are going to reflow PCBs on it). Digital controls can be more robust when done right. 3 buttons for toasting, more buttons to select the mode (you know, toaster, oven, broiler) and 2 rotary encoders (with the lifespan of a computer mouse encoder) to set temperature and time. I once used a microwave with a rotary encoder instead of a keypad. It was good for most uses.My point is, adding digital electronics and user interfaces to devices that used to be mechanical is not always bad. You just have to make it cheap, simple and easy to use.

author: ptricks
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2013, 11:06:48 pm
content: Sadly the compulsion to make everything internet connected is spreading. Enter LG Smart Thinqhttp://www.lg.com/us/discover/smartthinq/thinq.jspIncludes refrigerators, washers, dryers, range, dishwasher.I could maybe understand refrigerator, but dishwashersQuoteI can see me telling my cell provider I need another line for my oven!

author: cthree
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 16, 2013, 03:00:58 am
content: This is exactly why IOT is fertile ground for growth. Keep building shit just like that Samsung, I love you long time. They should stick to copying other's products. This is what you get when they "innovate".

author: cthree
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 16, 2013, 03:42:06 am
content: 3 Reasons why you would want your washing machine to have a MAC address:- Power usage reporting, logging, tracking, suggesting ways to optimize and save energy or money. If such a system were available in all appliances then an energy use profile could be developed. Before you say a thing I say bullshit. People love this shit;- Diagnostic and error reporting. If it detects a fault it alerts you and Samsung who could perform a remote diagnostic (login if you like) and send you a detailed diagnostic report and some possible resolution options (i.e. order a part, schedule a service call, etc). They might even be able to fix it without you ever knowing it was broken if it can be resolved in software;- Cycle scheduling in coordination with a smart meter or energy supervisor could defer cycles during periods of peak demand/high prices or it could power down other things when the washer starts depending on the power needs of the settings, perhaps you're on a power budget, solar maybe, to avoid surcharges above some quota.It's not a completely stupid idea, it's just stupidly implemented because Samsung's washer does none of this. Some dipshit in marketing said it needs to talk to a phone or all is lost and a bunch of engineering automatons without an ounce of creativity, inspiration or passion built that garbage to spec.

author: adlerweb
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 16, 2013, 08:34:27 am
content: I have to admit that i also got a ethernet-connected washing machine. OK, soldered myself and not bound to some proprietary cloud service. If you have a larger house its very convinient to get a message if something goes wrong or the cycle has finished.I personally like to see most things interconnected somehow (preferably not directly via internet). Sadly most vendors use this technique to build their own device-dictatorship which doesn't let users choose which services they want to use or to develop own logic.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 16, 2013, 08:40:41 am
content: What I really want is my door with MAC address + coupled with a powerful pneumatic mechanism of course.Like the old saying .. "Don't let the door slam your ass on the way out !" will have a whole new paradigm.

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 16, 2013, 09:32:05 am
content: as it is a samsung washing machine, I'm pretty sure that it doesnt work with an iphone ...and my wife has an iphone soooooo ?more than that apple still doesnt sell washing machines but who knows ?

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 16, 2013, 03:03:35 pm
content: Quote from: kripton2035 on July 16, 2013, 09:32:05 amUndoubtedly it would be called the iWash

author: BillyD
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 16, 2013, 07:12:50 pm
content: Quote from: AlfBaz on July 16, 2013, 03:03:35 pmRumour also has it that they are about to launch a new range of running shoes named the 'iRan' and are in the final stages of suing a country in the Middle East for copyright infringement and forcing it to change its name.

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 16, 2013, 11:24:59 pm
content: Apple doesn't have a monopoly on being dickheads.Here in Australia we call sheepskin boots ugg boots. Some company in the US decided to trade mark the name and then proceeded with legal action against an elderly couple that made ugg boots here, telling them they couldn't call them ugg boots. The couple took them to court and won

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2013, 04:55:24 am
content: Quote from: cthree on July 16, 2013, 03:42:06 amSorry to burst your bubble but I have to remind you that most of the people buying this stuff can't even figure out why they should film a video with your iPhone horizontally.If you need the smart energy monitoring, there are devices that do this. Things ranging from a simple Kill-A-Watt to some stuff I remember seing on Kickstarter that even has WiFi. Appliances should be easy to use.To me, this is the golden standard of how things should be:http://nest.comIt has WiFi, but it justifies its use because it takes decisions by itself (i.e. after it learns, nobody tells it when to increase the temperature). Also, the air conditioning is something that is continuously operating, and it uses a lot of power, unlike simple kitchen appliances. Also, kitchen appliances need to be loaded, unloaded and they generally finish their tasks in an hour or two. Air conditioning is perpetual.

author: ptricks
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2013, 02:20:37 am
content: Quote from: ivan747 on July 17, 2013, 04:55:24 amI know people that can't comprehend how to switch HDMI inputs with the remote. I hate to see some of them use appliances like these.

author: David_AVD
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2013, 04:52:43 am
content: It's all in the implementation. You can have a great new function / feature, but if it's not usable by the intended audience it's a waste of time. That doesn't make network connectivity inherently bad.