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I tried another Iron Man-style exoskeleton and now I'm stronger than ever | TechRadar (www.techradar.com)

submitted 3 days ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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[–] JamonBear 9 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (10 children)

First example in mind: https://www.jeffgeerling.com/blog/2025/i-wont-connect-my-dishwasher-your-stupid-cloud

And a 2nd one: https://www.tomshardware.com/networking/your-washing-machine-could-be-sending-37-gb-of-data-a-day

[–] AwesomeLowlander -4 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (9 children)

My point being, the article lists perfectly good reasons for the app to exist, but you've made assumptions about it based solely on absolutely no data. What's the point of linking an article about an unrelated app and company?

Also, as I recall, that 2nd case about the washing machine turned out to be faulty measurements on the router side.

[–] [email protected] 17 points 3 days ago (7 children)

The app doesn’t have to exist. Calibration can happen via other means.

You're zeroing in on this one app's supposed utility, missing the broader, well-documented pattern of issues with app-dependent, cloud-connected devices. The fundamental problem isn't this specific app, but the systemic risks: data harvesting, planned obsolescence when servers shut down, and companies shifting terms post-purchase. Dismissing valid comparisons because the product category differs is a smokescreen. The concern isn't an assumption based on nothing; it's based on a consistent history of consumer-unfriendly practices across the IoT landscape.

Google Nest Secure: Bricked by server shutdown (announced for April 2024).
Revolv Smart Home Hub: Bricked by server shutdown after Nest acquisition (2016).
Vizio Smart TVs: Caught collecting and selling viewing data (settlement in 2017).
Sonos Older Speakers: Attempted forced obsolescence through a "recycle mode" (faced backlash around 2020).
iRobot (Roomba): Privacy concerns over mapping user homes and data sharing (surfaced significantly around 2017-2022, especially with Amazon acquisition talks).
Anki (Cozmo/Vector Robots): Company folded, impacting cloud server access for full functionality (2019).
Cloud-Based Pet Feeders: Multiple brands have had server outages causing failures (ongoing issue, specific examples like Petnet in 2016 & 2020).
Wink Smart Home Hubs: Imposed sudden mandatory subscription fees (2020).
Philips Hue Smart Lights: Increased account requirements and phased out older bridge support (various changes, e.g., original bridge support ended 2020).
My Cloud Home Drives (Western Digital):Local file access blocked during server outages (notable widespread outages in 2021 and 2023).
"Smart" Padlocks: Prone to software/hardware failures and security vulnerabilities discovered (ongoing, e.g., Tapplock issues reported around 2018-2019).
Chamberlain MyQ Garage Doors: Blocked third-party integrations (significant moves around 2023).