Before we get smart appliances, can we get smart users?
Well, it might not be an actual choice but a lack of alternative.
In my case, I bought the LG fridge based on it’s size (had to fit into a constrained space between and under the kitchen cabinets), appearance & ergonomics (French doors are a joy to use, and so is the drawer-freezer at the bottom) and the size of the water dispencer/ice-maker (small, so it doesn’t occupy half of the door storage space). Only two models fit the requirements: a General Electric (which I favored) and an LG (which wife favored). I’m not stupid, so we got the LG.
Integrated wifi capability wasn’t on my list, it just happened to be there. Thinking about it, it’s not actually a bad idea. The service technician can diagnose the issues over the internet and come prepared with the right parts and tools (wasn’t the case, I fixed it myself with my bare hands, screw driver and Fluke 87V
, using the fridge self-diagnosing feature; offline, of course – I don’t need LG to know how often I change the air filter). But not everybody is tech-savvy.
For what it matters, the LG is made in China and the GE is “Proudly made in America” (according to a big sticker on the door), but I doubt that makes any difference since GE is now a Chinese company (they were acquired by Haier a few years ago) and the innards might come from the same factories anyways.
As far as the hood is concerned, I wanted something as silent as possible, with an as high as possible CFM (cubic feet per minute) number, which could be easily converted between recirculating and outside venting modes. I wasn’t after a glass-touch panel, blue tooth and dimming lights, it just happened to come with them.
Of course, I haven’t connected it with the stove because I was afraid it might talk to the dishwasher behind my fridge’s back and I don’t want my coffee maker to feel left out an get upset in the morning when I need it the most.