zlacker

As an electronics guy with both backend and frontend programming experience for me there are three routes when it comes to my home infrastructure:

1. Buy something dumb, non-smart, non-cloud

2. Build it myself

3. Buy something that can be hacked and used with my own infrastructure

The problem isn't even their infrastructure, it is that they decide when they want to change it. Even if it was all good faith changes, that could be a reliability issue and force me to dedicate time to the issue on their whim. I don't like that. If I run such things myself I can decide myself when to update and how much time I want to invest when (provided the system is decoupled from the public internet).

And this point isn't even about any single company trading the good will of their customers bit by bit — it is just about me not having to jump when their service changes or ends for whatever reason (and there are many).

>>atoav+(OP)
I do the same. Everything “smart” that I need I build myself. Just buy a few esp32 or arduinos and write it up or use it with node red.

It’s not hard if you know a little programming and electronics.

I assume that any smart devices that I can buy are just money machines, made to spy on me, or both.

>>atoav+(OP)
> they decide when they want to change it

Not only when, but the changes they make are almost universally a rewriting of the assumptions at time of purchase, where you lose.

>>atoav+(OP)
Nothing wrong with buying smart equipment, as long as it's local first using common protocols like generic Zigbee. That way you don't NEED to use the manufacturers hubs and interfaces and you substitute out for your own controller like Homeassistant or a third party Hub.

>>atoav+(OP)
A number 4. would be: Buy from an established lighting company that publishes compatibility tests. It may not have all the bells and whistles but focuses on doing one thing right, which is to switch a light. My Lutron’s have never needed a debug since install and I get all the convenience and forget about it. I think a lot of people get into home automation to constantly tweak stuff. If that is what tickles them sure. For me, like anything automated, I want it to work in the background and provide some quality of life improvements and never have to think about it again.

>>atoav+(OP)
I think I have one voice-activated switch that replaced X10 in a room lacking wiring for a convenient regular light switch, a low temp alarm, and a camera/temp sensor I put together myself.

I understand there are people who like to fiddle with this stuff but mostly I don’t get the attraction.

>>atoav+(OP)
The trust has been broken in electronics/technology products in general

There is very little loyalty to the customer from the manufacturers, and so customers are now weary and loosing their loyalty for brands in the way consumers traditionally did.

>>dugite+56
Indeed. Buy devices that comply with standards.

It's a little like buying some networking device that suppports only proprietary protocols and then complain it doesn't support TCP/IP.

My go to configuration is IKEA Trådfri + Home Assistant.

>>atoav+(OP)
My only remaining smart device is an off brand smart bulb on my front porch. It is set up to turn on at 6PM and off at 6AM. It disconnected from my network years ago, but has kept working great nonetheless. I think of it like a Mars probe going about its business. :-)

>>jimmyd+l01
When mine disconnected from the network I discovered it was flashing nonstop red, green, and blue. I'm surprised the neighbors didn't come over and complain

>>atoav+(OP)
Exactly. I violated this rule once when I bought a Nest thermostat because it was elegantly designed (this was pre-Google). Then Nest started forcing random updates that not only bricked the device a couple of times (fortunately not permanently) but also changed the UI so that at random times when I wanted to fiddle with a setting I had to relearn how to work the thing.

Finally I got smart and changed my wifi password so the thermostat couldn't talk to the Internet any more, at which point I had a very elegant, unconnected thermostat that eventually became unreliable because it couldn't draw enough current from my two-wire system to keep itself reliably charged up. I tossed it in the recycle bin and bought a $25 dumb thermostat to replace it and I couldn't be happier.

Some general notes to the idiots in C-suites at every company making home automation devices:

1. I don't work for you.

2. You have competitors.

3. You do not get to make demands on my time to re-learn your UI, download software updates, advertise things to me, or sign new EULAs whenever you so desire. I have a life and it doesn't revolve around your company.

4. You do not get to spy on me with your device and sell information about my personal habits.

5. You do not get to use your cloud connectivity to force me into a recurring payment plan just to continue to use your device.

6. If you disagree with any of the above, I would ask that you carefully reread (1) and (2). Misbehavior on your part will result in your product being thrown in the trash, no further purchases from me, and my social network being immediately warned to avoid your company like the plague.