First thing I do when I get a smart appliance is scan it with nmap. This has revealed some interesting Easter eggs, like my Davis instruments air quality sensors having a local REST API.

Doing the usual scan against my GE washer and dryer shows that port 53 is listening. What could that be for? Is there a way I can at least query their status locally or something?

When I got the washer and dryer I was excited about the smart home features because getting an alert when my laundry is done or starting the washer remotely so the clothes are done when I get home are genuinely useful features. However, last time I checked the app none of that was available, so I just have these Trojan horses in my home spying on me with no benefit in exchange. Their app wanted my freaking mailing address when I signed up for their mandatory account, so the features mentioned above are the least they could offer in exchange for my digital soul. But I digress.

My fridge is in a similar situation. It commits the additional cardinal sin of ONLY being controllable via the app, with no on-board temp or filter status indicators whatsoever.

  • spaghettiwestern@sh.itjust.works
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    6 hours ago

    The timers on washers are notoriously inaccurate and moisture sensors make drying timers useless, but if you had your own washer and dryer you might know that.

    Your extreme cognitive bias is indicative of someone completely lacking in a sense of sonder. (Look it up, it is certain someone with main character syndrome has never heard the word before.)

    Anyway it’s been fun, but we’re done.