My Washer Talks to My TV
In 1999, MIT pioneer Kevin Ashton coined the phrase “Internet of Things” (IoT) to describe devices directly connected to the internet. This is different from a peripheral like a paper scanner, which is connected to a computer (user) that is then connected to the internet.
The first known device was invented in 1982 by graduate students at Carnegie Mellon University. They built a circuit that directly connected a soda vending machine to the internet. Users could view a text page (long before web browsers) displaying the temperature and the number of cans. Users could even reserve a can to avoid walking all the way to an empty machine.
The first known device was invented in 1982 by graduate students at Carnegie Mellon University. They built a circuit that directly connected a soda vending machine to the internet. Users could view a text page (long before web browsers) displaying the temperature and the number of cans. Users could even reserve a can to avoid walking all the way to an empty machine.
My first IoT device was much more mundane: an Epson printer. It had a built-in webpage that displayed status and ink levels. Of course, this information was also available on the front-panel display and in a pop-up window while the printer was printing. Plus, Epson did not even create a phone app. Boo!
Technology has progressed so much since then. Our house now has IoT security cameras, smoke alarms, sprinkler controllers, solar panels, weather sensors, water leak detectors, water flow monitoring, smart switches, smart outlets, air conditioner control, an internet router, and even an earthquake monitor. All of which connect (display) on my computer, phone, and tablet. Wow, what an exciting time to be alive!
All was going fine in IoT land until three years ago, when our washing machine started leaking, and our downstairs television died. So, we got new ones.
Not only did the new Samsung washing machine and dryer work fantastically, but they also had settings for different clothing types, were more efficient, and even connected to the internet.
Why, yes, using an app, I could monitor the washing/drying cycles from anywhere in the world. And the little graphics on the app showing clothes being cleaned or dried were so cute. The best feature was the chime on our phones that notified us the cycle was complete. How cool!
Our new Samsung television was of better quality than the previous one, but I would have preferred it had a “basic mode.” We only use it to display our Roku streaming box and the Blu-ray player. The problem is that the television is loaded with a large suite of applications I never use, which clutter the only feature I really need: selecting between the streamer and the player.
Oh well. After installing the television, I connected it to the internet and added it to the app on my phone. The major feature? I can turn the TV on or off from my phone. I tried it once. Major letdown.
So, we watched streaming shows and did laundry. Then it happened. My wife and I were absentmindedly watching some program and, GLING, the television alerted us that the washing machine was done. There was even a helpful message in the corner of the screen.
This was the first time (to my knowledge) that one of our IoT devices directly communicated with another. Meaning that it did not go through the application or have anything to do with me (the user/my home computer/the phone app).
After this alert appeared a few times, I began to appreciate this great feature because it eliminated the need to have my phone. And this is only the beginning of how connections between IoT devices may soon be possible.
A helpful communication upgrade would be to our security cameras. If the camera controller detects an intruder, it could display a message on the television and turn on the lights in the area where the intruder was prowling around. That would be nice. The same with the washer. When it is finished, it could turn on the hallway lights so that when I walk to get my clothes, the lights are already on. How about that earthquake monitor? It could turn off everything so that the electrical devices do not start a fire. Safety first. Not enough sun to generate power? Turn down the air conditioner and start the laundry later to save money during peak electricity billing hours. Nice!
Of course, to my regular readers, you know that wonderful improvement ideas were not swirling around my bonkers head. No, I wondered what other communications were going on between my appliances.
“Dang, this guy has some seriously dirty clothes, and he never checks his pockets for change. Now, I have coins bouncing around. So annoying.”
“You think that’s bad? He has seen this episode of Star Trek: Voyager ten times. The show ended 25 years ago; get a life.”
“Did I tell you about his socks? They have holes in them so large that his toes must poke out. Throw those old things away!”
“Oh, now he’s watching Forrest Gump; another thing he’s seen ten times. This guy has the attention span of a goldfish. At least get a Disney subscription; the new season of Silo just came out.”
You’re the best -Bill
July 15, 2026
Technology has progressed so much since then. Our house now has IoT security cameras, smoke alarms, sprinkler controllers, solar panels, weather sensors, water leak detectors, water flow monitoring, smart switches, smart outlets, air conditioner control, an internet router, and even an earthquake monitor. All of which connect (display) on my computer, phone, and tablet. Wow, what an exciting time to be alive!
All was going fine in IoT land until three years ago, when our washing machine started leaking, and our downstairs television died. So, we got new ones.
Not only did the new Samsung washing machine and dryer work fantastically, but they also had settings for different clothing types, were more efficient, and even connected to the internet.
Why, yes, using an app, I could monitor the washing/drying cycles from anywhere in the world. And the little graphics on the app showing clothes being cleaned or dried were so cute. The best feature was the chime on our phones that notified us the cycle was complete. How cool!
Our new Samsung television was of better quality than the previous one, but I would have preferred it had a “basic mode.” We only use it to display our Roku streaming box and the Blu-ray player. The problem is that the television is loaded with a large suite of applications I never use, which clutter the only feature I really need: selecting between the streamer and the player.
Oh well. After installing the television, I connected it to the internet and added it to the app on my phone. The major feature? I can turn the TV on or off from my phone. I tried it once. Major letdown.
So, we watched streaming shows and did laundry. Then it happened. My wife and I were absentmindedly watching some program and, GLING, the television alerted us that the washing machine was done. There was even a helpful message in the corner of the screen.
This was the first time (to my knowledge) that one of our IoT devices directly communicated with another. Meaning that it did not go through the application or have anything to do with me (the user/my home computer/the phone app).
After this alert appeared a few times, I began to appreciate this great feature because it eliminated the need to have my phone. And this is only the beginning of how connections between IoT devices may soon be possible.
A helpful communication upgrade would be to our security cameras. If the camera controller detects an intruder, it could display a message on the television and turn on the lights in the area where the intruder was prowling around. That would be nice. The same with the washer. When it is finished, it could turn on the hallway lights so that when I walk to get my clothes, the lights are already on. How about that earthquake monitor? It could turn off everything so that the electrical devices do not start a fire. Safety first. Not enough sun to generate power? Turn down the air conditioner and start the laundry later to save money during peak electricity billing hours. Nice!
Of course, to my regular readers, you know that wonderful improvement ideas were not swirling around my bonkers head. No, I wondered what other communications were going on between my appliances.
“Dang, this guy has some seriously dirty clothes, and he never checks his pockets for change. Now, I have coins bouncing around. So annoying.”
“You think that’s bad? He has seen this episode of Star Trek: Voyager ten times. The show ended 25 years ago; get a life.”
“Did I tell you about his socks? They have holes in them so large that his toes must poke out. Throw those old things away!”
“Oh, now he’s watching Forrest Gump; another thing he’s seen ten times. This guy has the attention span of a goldfish. At least get a Disney subscription; the new season of Silo just came out.”
You’re the best -Bill
July 15, 2026
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