Well, I'd like a bike app to do more than count steps or whatever; I'd like it to offer scenario-related occupation; it has been done decades ago before such phones and bluetooth were ever invented. E.g: someone made a rowing machine hooked to a interactive video player which had a 3d representation of a river, and it would show on the screen at your feet, and you could row all around this virtual environment. There's more than enough plausible options of this nature we could use, if someone made it. Kapsys and Trekker both made a map exploration facility, so giving the static cyclist plenty to do exploring said map. Key in a post/zip code, and take it from there.
BobH. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Cristóbal" <crismuno...@gmail.com> To: <viphone@googlegroups.com> Sent: Sunday, June 12, 2016 10:56 PM Subject: RE: Botvac discussion, how about other connected major appliances like washers and dryers I could write the same post, but with exersize equipment. I.E. Elliptical, rower, stationary bike, etc. From: viphone@googlegroups.com [mailto:viphone@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Sieghard Weitzel Sent: Sunday, June 12, 2016 12:19 PM To: viphone@googlegroups.com Subject: Botvac discussion, how about other connected major appliances like washers and dryers Hi List, The discussion about the Neato BotVac which can be controlled with an apparently quite accessible app made me think again about other connected appliances. I’be been hearing for at least the last 3 or 4 years how Samsung, LG and other manufacturers are showing off connected appliances at CES in Las Vegas, but very little seems to have made it to market. Yes, there are things like the Instant Pot and maybe other small appliances which have apps and there are now several other devices like connected thermostats and other home automation devices which can be controlled with apps, but what about washers, dryers, dishwashers and stoves/ovens. I am totally in the market to replace my 20-year old Maytech washer and dryer and I am prepared to pay more or less top dollars for a really good front load washer, but while I did see an LG model which connects to Wi-Fi and has an app, it seems controlling the washer with said app is limited and apparently relies on NFC to some degree so the reviews on the app store in Canada for the iOS app are basically “It doesn’t work”. I really wonder what is so difficult, the technology for this is out there. I just recently purchased a high-end Bosch dishwasher and didn’t realize that the model I bought had touchscreen controls. I looked at a model just below the one I bought (the 800 series) at the Sears store here and it had push buttons and I decided to buy the 800 Plus model which was even quieter. The sales person told me it had the same controls and I never checked until I had it totally unpacked and half way connected. I decided to keep it since mostly my wife is starting it and in the case of this model it would be possible to mark the spots where I would have to touch with dots. One thing I definitely like is the fact that I actually have to put my ear within a foot or two of the dishwasher to even hear that it is running, it operates at 40 Db and it’s totally amazing. I have been checking out appliances online since I live in a small town of 6,000 people and while there is a Sears here which has some stuff on display and another store, mostly they don’t stock the top of the line models and nobody here sells the high-end german brands like Miele. One Miele model apparently is completely operated by a dial and push buttons, but most of the high-end Samsung and LG models have a dial which I think isn’t even accessible as it turns continuously and there is no arrow on it one can feel or mark and as you turn it little lights light up showing you what cycle you have selected.On the Bosch washing machine the dial does have a tactile line and one could write down the list of cycles/programs (I think there are about a dozen or 15) and then start at 12 o’clock and turn the dial clockwise or counter clockwise and count the clicks. But all of the models I have seen so far have touch controls as well and it seems some you have to push multiple times to get to the setting you want. Has anybody found anything that does work with an app or anything that talks or is accessible in other ways? I know you would have to have bought something in the last several months since models usually change each year so if there was an accessible model 3 or 4 years ago chances are that model doesn’t exist any more. At least they should make these things talk which probably wouldn’t be very difficult given today’s technology. Regards, Sieghard -- The following information is important for all members of the V iPhone list. If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. Your V iPhone list moderator is Mark Taylor and your owner is Cara Quinn - you can reach Cara at caraqu...@caraquinn.com The archives for this list can be searched at: http://www.mail-archive.com/viphone@googlegroups.com/ --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "VIPhone" group. 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