xkcd #3109: Dehumidifier

Title text:

It’s important for devices to have internet connectivity so the manufacturer can patch remote exploits.

Transcript:

[A store salesman, Hairy, is showing Cueball a dehumidifier, with a “SALE” label on it. Several other unidentified devices, possibly other dehumidifier models, are shown in the store as well.]

Salesman: This dehumidifier model features built-in WiFi for remote updates.
Cueball: Great! That will be really useful if they discover a new kind of water.

Source: https://xkcd.com/3109/

explainxkcd for #3109

  • ClydapusGotwald@lemmy.worldEnglish
    33·
    1 day ago

    I’ve looked into many WiFi dehumidifier’s and the one thing I wanted from it was to notify my phone if it’s full. None of them do that. All they do is let you change speed and stuff. Nothing that is important to me. I just want to know if I need to go to the basement and empty it or not.

    • TeddE@lemmy.worldEnglish
      22·
      1 day ago

      Right? Like half of what I want from these things is when is the battery low? When is the outbox full? When is the feeder empty? And metrics to verify the device is generally operating safely.

      Controlling the device? We’ve known how to do that for 50+ years. Help me maintain the device.

    • alekwithak@lemmy.worldEnglish
      12·
      1 day ago

      I feel you, trying to find a smart gadget that is actually smart in 2025 and not just a data collector is nearly impossible. Learning to DIY a lot of these projects. Throw one of these or similar in there with a little control board set to email you if 0 changes to 1 or w/e

      • ClydapusGotwald@lemmy.worldEnglish
        1·
        1 day ago

        I need to look into this and see if I can have it send me a text or something when it’s full. Another diy project to add to the list.

        • rumba@lemmy.zipEnglish
          2·
          24 hours ago

          This is the around the long way method, but it’ll start you on a crippling hobby to instrument your entire life.

          Raspberry Pi home assistant zigbee USB zigbee water sensor.

          you could stop here at notifications.

          or

          Descend into madness, put a small ac submersible pump into your dehumidifier tray with a smart outlet. When the sensor trips full, have it run the submersible pump for x minutes.

        • alekwithak@lemmy.worldEnglish
          2·
          11 hours ago

          Hey if your list of projects isn’t insurmountable what are you even doing with your life?

          Most carriers have an email to sms gateway address Usually your number@carrier.com or similar.