UCyborg wrote on 2025-06-23, 19:06:

Everything's just out of control.

Data farming with a side of data farming before you can use that dishwasher !

We really need to know when you wash your dishes, how long you wash them for, how many you wash, what time of day you wash at, how many rise cycles, how hot, how much washing detergent, and what your favourite cycles are.

why ..actually im not sure why they want these details but I cant really see any good reason for farming that data.

oh we also want your location.

Trashbytes wrote on 2025-06-23, 16:04:

I refuse to buy products that lock basic features behind an online account, it seems a lot of things are doing this now including Dishwashers where half the wash cycles are locked behind an online account.

Same here.
On the plus side, this has forced me to only look at buying used older stuff now, which is better for the environment anyways.
I've also repaired and "dumbified" appliances down, sometimes at the cost of great efforts... but just to stick it to the face of the manufacturer. And it's satisfying to rip out some complex garbage MCU solution and replace it with oldschool mechanical equivalents.

Seems the basics on that Bryton work offline. At least my brother isn't missing anything so far. Presumably the only pressing need for that sort of device to go online would be to update maps or download missing maps if you use GPS.

UCyborg wrote on 2025-07-08, 20:57:

Seems the basics on that Bryton work offline. At least my brother isn't missing anything so far. Presumably the only pressing need for that sort of device to go online would be to update maps or download missing maps if you use GPS.

I can actually understand a GPS type device needing an online hookup, getting new maps and updates along with GPS tracking would be useful.

Im not against online connection/account where it makes sense to have it.

Trashbytes wrote on 2025-07-08, 23:49:

I can actually understand a GPS type device needing an online hookup, getting new maps and updates along with GPS tracking would be useful.

Realtime traffic and road closures to automatically route you around issues is also great to have. Thankfully phones handle this just fine, and can integrate into cars now.

momaka wrote on 2025-07-08, 20:07:

I've also repaired and "dumbified" appliances down, sometimes at the cost of great efforts...

If you can remove that "eCall" spyware from a car, then some day I may be your customer.

Trashbytes wrote on 2025-07-08, 23:49:

I can actually understand a GPS type device needing an online hookup

NO.

There's huge difference between an *option* to update stuff online, and *needing* to be online.

A GPS receiver only needs to passively listen to the signals from satellites.
There's no justification for it needing to be connected to the internet, especially considering that GPS is most useful away from civilization, where internet connection is difficult and expensive.

Grzyb wrote on 2025-07-09, 05:26:

NO. […]
Show full quote

Trashbytes wrote on 2025-07-08, 23:49:

I can actually understand a GPS type device needing an online hookup

NO.

There's huge difference between an *option* to update stuff online, and *needing* to be online.

A GPS receiver only needs to passively listen to the signals from satellites.
There's no justification for it needing to be connected to the internet, especially considering that GPS is most useful away from civilization, where internet connection is difficult and expensive.

I don't think I ever said internet, since pretty much every GPS I have seen uses the same system as the mobile networks unless its a stupidly expensive satellite model .. online is an appropriate term. Also if you want live updates via the GPS then it'll need to be connected 24/7 and that will be via the mobile networks. Also GPS is useful even in the city when linked to a map service, said map service would require some form of connection.

As for an account, well most if not all GPS devices want that just to connect to their service, even the satellite ones require that.

So I'm perfectly ok with such a device requiring it.

Trashbytes wrote on 2025-07-09, 06:15:

I don't think I ever said internet, since pretty much every GPS I have seen uses the same system as the mobile networks unless its a stupidly expensive satellite model

What do you mean?
GPS is satellite-based, so *all* GPS receivers are satellite models.
Some receivers are additionally assisted via GSM/3G/LTE/5G/whatever mobile networks, but should also work using satellites only.

Also GPS is useful even in the city when linked to a map service, said map service would require some form of connection.
As for an account, well most if not all GPS devices want that just to connect to their service, even the satellite ones require that.

I'm used to GPS receivers that keep maps locally, and don't need any external map services, connections, or accounts.