I’m a bit surprised you don’t have a refrigerator that reports to your device! My appliances do not normally do I crave that. Some years ago when I bought a replacement clothes washer I confounded an acquaintance because I didn’t also replace the working dryer nor did I opt for models that would text me when a load was completed. I won’t run a load when I’m not home due to a concern about water leaks, and since I’m home I don’t need a text message. I do have connected leak detectors. Maybe there’s a smart thermometer that could have the sensor inside and the connection outside.
I don't have any "smart" appliances. Mine are all about 13 years old, so they're a bit too old to have that stuff onboard. (And I'm hoping to keep them going for another 13 years!) I can't really think of what smart features I'd actually want from any of them. The built-in screens on refrigerators look cool, but I've got a TV, an Echo Show, and a laptop in the kitchen, so I really don't need one.
I think the next thing I automate will be my vertical blinds.
Amen to hoping for long-lived appliances. I too am not sure what I need my refrigerator to tell me. I've seen demos of those that have panels that show the inside. Or maybe built-in inventory...which I think would only work by scanning each item as I put it in or use it for the last time. What a waste of attention that would be! Likely I would continue to open the door, look at the crammed contents, and either wish for something I don't have (or can't find), or else feel like there's nothing there. I probably didn't really want food, just distraction. Hey maybe if the door itself could have programmed resistance, so I'd have to expend some energy and exercise my flappy arm muscles as I sought a cheesy treat.
I'm going to guess there might be a way for your refrigerator to Buy Again from Amazon or Whole Foods or Uber Eats. If not, there's an opportunity there. Remember when Amazon tried out the little wand device that could scan bar codes and perhaps order? I got one, and when Amazon discontinued it they gave me a small credit to my account. I didn't really use it much, because I generally buy food from local grocery stores. I do buy items I can't get locally or because they are just less $$ on Amazon. An example of that is canned Friskies cat food. Costco was carrying cases, then stopped for a while, and during that gap I would buy from Amazon. I would pay $0.70-something a can from Amazon, whereas local stores are sometimes over a dollar a can! A good local price was high $0.80s. Costco has since restored the Friskies connection; of course it depends on which flavors one's kitties deign to consume.
Too bad you don't live near me -- Amazon just sent me a packet of cat treats to "test." I don't own a cat, but I'm assuming they didn't intend it for me personally.
OK that's funny. I signed up for Amazon Vine and reviewed about 3 items before the whole trade deal & tariff issues began. Now I never have any items available in Vine, and I don't know if that's me (ship to Hawaii) or the program is mostly suspended. Amazon has never just sent me anything to test. I agree too bad we don't live closer to each other, and not just cuz of cat treats. Hanging with Kal sounds awesome.
Another opportunity would be a prepared-meal delivery offer based on previous history. "Hey Kal, about time for another triple cheese pizza, right? Tap here and I'll get your order in. Or tap here and you can get something else!"
Amazon seems to be moving toward that with the Alexa devices. They keep asking me if I want to try the Alexa with AI, but when I read the "improvements," I'm never too tempted. They're all ways to get you to buy more stuff.
The power went out last night. It was so silent without the frig noise. I was so reassured to hear the fan when the power came back on. I think it runs constantly so I don't have to stand there with the door open.
Isn't it amazing how much you get used to the background noise? When I switched from my Windows tower PC to the silent Mac mini, I had a minor nervous breakdown every morning when I sat down at my desk and realized I didn't hear fans.
I’m a bit surprised you don’t have a refrigerator that reports to your device! My appliances do not normally do I crave that. Some years ago when I bought a replacement clothes washer I confounded an acquaintance because I didn’t also replace the working dryer nor did I opt for models that would text me when a load was completed. I won’t run a load when I’m not home due to a concern about water leaks, and since I’m home I don’t need a text message. I do have connected leak detectors. Maybe there’s a smart thermometer that could have the sensor inside and the connection outside.
Oops I can't edit my mistyping, it should be "My appliances do not NOR do I crave that."
I don't have any "smart" appliances. Mine are all about 13 years old, so they're a bit too old to have that stuff onboard. (And I'm hoping to keep them going for another 13 years!) I can't really think of what smart features I'd actually want from any of them. The built-in screens on refrigerators look cool, but I've got a TV, an Echo Show, and a laptop in the kitchen, so I really don't need one.
I think the next thing I automate will be my vertical blinds.
Amen to hoping for long-lived appliances. I too am not sure what I need my refrigerator to tell me. I've seen demos of those that have panels that show the inside. Or maybe built-in inventory...which I think would only work by scanning each item as I put it in or use it for the last time. What a waste of attention that would be! Likely I would continue to open the door, look at the crammed contents, and either wish for something I don't have (or can't find), or else feel like there's nothing there. I probably didn't really want food, just distraction. Hey maybe if the door itself could have programmed resistance, so I'd have to expend some energy and exercise my flappy arm muscles as I sought a cheesy treat.
I agree. It feels more like a gimmick than a beneficial feature at this point.
Now if the appliances actually started doing the cooking, shopping, and cleaning, well, I'd reconsider.
I'm going to guess there might be a way for your refrigerator to Buy Again from Amazon or Whole Foods or Uber Eats. If not, there's an opportunity there. Remember when Amazon tried out the little wand device that could scan bar codes and perhaps order? I got one, and when Amazon discontinued it they gave me a small credit to my account. I didn't really use it much, because I generally buy food from local grocery stores. I do buy items I can't get locally or because they are just less $$ on Amazon. An example of that is canned Friskies cat food. Costco was carrying cases, then stopped for a while, and during that gap I would buy from Amazon. I would pay $0.70-something a can from Amazon, whereas local stores are sometimes over a dollar a can! A good local price was high $0.80s. Costco has since restored the Friskies connection; of course it depends on which flavors one's kitties deign to consume.
Too bad you don't live near me -- Amazon just sent me a packet of cat treats to "test." I don't own a cat, but I'm assuming they didn't intend it for me personally.
OK that's funny. I signed up for Amazon Vine and reviewed about 3 items before the whole trade deal & tariff issues began. Now I never have any items available in Vine, and I don't know if that's me (ship to Hawaii) or the program is mostly suspended. Amazon has never just sent me anything to test. I agree too bad we don't live closer to each other, and not just cuz of cat treats. Hanging with Kal sounds awesome.
Another opportunity would be a prepared-meal delivery offer based on previous history. "Hey Kal, about time for another triple cheese pizza, right? Tap here and I'll get your order in. Or tap here and you can get something else!"
Amazon seems to be moving toward that with the Alexa devices. They keep asking me if I want to try the Alexa with AI, but when I read the "improvements," I'm never too tempted. They're all ways to get you to buy more stuff.
The power went out last night. It was so silent without the frig noise. I was so reassured to hear the fan when the power came back on. I think it runs constantly so I don't have to stand there with the door open.
Isn't it amazing how much you get used to the background noise? When I switched from my Windows tower PC to the silent Mac mini, I had a minor nervous breakdown every morning when I sat down at my desk and realized I didn't hear fans.