this post was submitted on 30 Jun 2025
1277 points (99.3% liked)

xkcd

11887 readers
152 users here now

A community for a webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language.

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
1277
submitted 2 days ago* (last edited 1 day ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
 

xkcd #3109: Dehumidifier

Title text:

It's important for devices to have internet connectivity so the manufacturer can patch remote exploits.

Transcript:

[A store salesman, Hairy, is showing Cueball a dehumidifier, with a "SALE" label on it. Several other unidentified devices, possibly other dehumidifier models, are shown in the store as well.]

Salesman: This dehumidifier model features built-in WiFi for remote updates.
Cueball: Great! That will be really useful if they discover a new kind of water.

Source: https://xkcd.com/3109/

explainxkcd for #3109

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] [email protected] 85 points 2 days ago (86 children)

welll........ devils advocate.. i could see the wifi being used so the device can be incorporated into the home automation system [climate control]. its not about dehumidifying, its solely about engaging the dehumidifying as needed.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Dehumidifiers aren’t there to make your house more comfortable though, they are there to keep (usually basements or garages) from growing mold. In fact they usually heat up the space they’re in. So unless you want to have a log of humidity, there’s stop no reason to automate it over WiFi, since the humidity setting on the unit is automatic.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 days ago

As others have said, an alert if the tank is full would be legitimately useful, for a model that doesn't have a drain line.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

dont be dictatatin' my humidity comfort level.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

But he is right though, you should be using your air conditioner not dehumidifier for climate control, it works better for that purpose. Watch this video to learn why

https://youtu.be/j_QfX0SYCE8

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago

and youre both wrong for assuming the temperature and humidity are the only reasons to want to control this device. It literally generates water as output... god forbid my home automation wants to manage that output.

load more comments (83 replies)