LG pulls some of this BS too. When I tried it a few years ago, the LG app required always-on precise location permission to function at all. The smart features on my washer and refrigerator also require them to always be connected to the Internet but those features were more limited that what Jeff describes. I was willing to allow the appliances Internet access from an isolated subnet, but there is no way I’m going to allow LG access to all of my phone’s location data just so I can run their crappy, barely functional app.
In Mexico Bosch is even more customer hostile. My Bosch water heater had to be replaced because Bosch discontinued the repair parts needed to fix it. It’s only 3 years old.
We have lg washer and dryer and I just set up thinQ on my wifes new phone. It asked for location and when denied it said automations might not work. Asked my wife, she said what’s that? So location disabled app works fine. My main issue is not being able to just set a custom wash or dry from the machine. Why do I have to download a program if all I want is to lower the dryer temp without choosing delicate, which also shortens the time. Just have a full custom cycle and let me customize it.
They must have changed the location demand because of the complaints they were getting.
Mine has some features that aren’t available without the app, but I only really cared about the end of cycle signal and the refrigerator temperature. Zigbee sensors provide the same function without requiring an Internet connection.
LG pulls some of this BS too. When I tried it a few years ago, the LG app required always-on precise location permission to function at all. The smart features on my washer and refrigerator also require them to always be connected to the Internet but those features were more limited that what Jeff describes. I was willing to allow the appliances Internet access from an isolated subnet, but there is no way I’m going to allow LG access to all of my phone’s location data just so I can run their crappy, barely functional app.
In Mexico Bosch is even more customer hostile. My Bosch water heater had to be replaced because Bosch discontinued the repair parts needed to fix it. It’s only 3 years old.
This makes me more determined to keep maintaining my old non-computerized appliances.
I have a Samsung fridge and the app is the same - it demands always-on precise location or it refuses to function.
Absolutely. Fucking. Not.
We have lg washer and dryer and I just set up thinQ on my wifes new phone. It asked for location and when denied it said automations might not work. Asked my wife, she said what’s that? So location disabled app works fine. My main issue is not being able to just set a custom wash or dry from the machine. Why do I have to download a program if all I want is to lower the dryer temp without choosing delicate, which also shortens the time. Just have a full custom cycle and let me customize it.
They must have changed the location demand because of the complaints they were getting.
Mine has some features that aren’t available without the app, but I only really cared about the end of cycle signal and the refrigerator temperature. Zigbee sensors provide the same function without requiring an Internet connection.