Owners mourn spoiled food after firmware update bricks Samsung smart fridges

[arstechnica@mastodon.social]

Owners mourn spoiled food after firmware update bricks Samsung smart fridges

"So absurd and embarrassing ..."
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/09/owners-mourn-spoiled-food-after-firmware-update-bricks-samsung-smart-fridges/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

[traecer@techhub.social]

@arstechnica
don't connect appliances to the Internet

And if one requires an Internet connection, take it back

[cptbutton@dice.camp]

@arstechnica

A family member is getting a new fridge, and when I brought the IoT up I was pleased they were ahead of me, and were already getting a proper dumb fridge.

[javensbukan@cosocial.ca]

@arstechnica

[javensbukan@cosocial.ca]

@jamesmarshall @arstechnica I currently have a Samsung mobile device and it's been, MEH decent for the price paid.

I wouldn't willingly buy a Samsung appliance though, my sister had a washer explode on them mid spin cycle after Samsung decided it was a great idea to submerge a roughly cast alloy metal directly in water.

Who would have thought it would corrode and fail within 1.5 years?! Surely not Samsung.

I haven't had many issues with Samsung Electronics - but appliances, yeah pass.

[72mz@mstdn.party]

@arstechnica
I'm fairly tech savvy but I can't see the benefits of 'smart' appliances.

[kaffando@mastodon.social]

@arstechnica

After the recent horrendous "update" (downdate, surely?) to my Samsung watch, nothing from Samsung surprises me. I've been a Samsung user for many, many years but they've lost me now.

[javensbukan@cosocial.ca]

@jamesmarshall @arstechnica Yeah same. Mine had a ton of bloatware all mostly removed, but it wasn't easy.

My next device will likely be a de-Googled Fairphone.

[chris@omgwars.com]

@PetterOfCats @arstechnica

Set to the tune of "Boulevard of Broken Dreams":

I installed this brand new thing
I signed the EUA for remote updates
Don't know where it pings.
It downloads fresh code, really hope that's safe

No choice for opting out
On the Internet of Broken Things
At night, when we sleep
I know one day for sure, that this shit will break.

(With apologies to Green Day...)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Soa3gO7tL-c&list=RDSoa3gO7tL-c&start_radio=1

#GreenDay #InternetOfThings

[olle_gladso@mastodon.social]

@arstechnica Like I said in an earlier post. AI in a refrigerator is just beyond stupid.

[dissident@mastodon.scot]

@arstechnica The ethics of #Samsung are rather poor.

https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/company-profile/samsung-group

[softproof@mastodon.social]

@arstechnica Shuddering to think how many out there still believe WiFi-enabled fridges are a cool idea.

[jbriancoyle@mas.to]

@arstechnica
obSiliconValley 'suck it Jin-Yang!'

[graemewinter@mas.to]

@arstechnica we truly live in the dumbest of timelines

[kevinashworth@mastodon.social]

@arstechnica
Do not buy appliances that need to be online. Better yet, do not buy appliances that can be online.

[altlazybear@mas.to]

@arstechnica Rest in peace, foods You were mourned

[cassandra_complex@beige.party]

@kevinashworth @arstechnica
If it's not an option to get appliances that are (for lack of better word) analog when (if?????) I can afford a home, I'm not sure what the hell I will do. Certainly not pay premium for garbage.

[fluffylizard@ohai.social]

@softproof @arstechnica

I know some people who think that way. They think it's a way to progress. Like, someone whose ideal is The Jetsons. But The Jetsons never really dealt with security, privacy, or the fact that the appliances weren't truly "owned" by the family.

I too grew up with that cartoon, but I think it sucks that we're still very far from open sourcing appliance technology, which is how I thought it would be. Kind of like PCs.

[kevinashworth@mastodon.social]

@Cassandra_Complex @arstechnica
Yes, one really hopes there will always be at least one good vendor of traditional modern appliances. Otherwise, it’s back to traditional old appliances like wood-burning stoves and iceboxes!

[benroyce@mastodon.social]

@traecer @arstechnica

shhh...

my "smart tv" heard you

now this is going on my record

(/s)