Excess features you now couldn't live without

silvercar

Back on topic.

we have a Hive heating controller. Expecting that it would enable control of the heating from anywhere, it’s an unexpected bonus that we look back and see exactly when the heating was on and for how long ie the exact times that the heating reached the required temperature and then turned off. 

in_my_wellies

greensalad said:

For me it's Hue lights and automated blinds. Oh and the Roombas!

Every bulb in our house is linked to Hue. I have several scenes due to come on at certain times. 

Bedroom: around the time we usually go up the bedside lights and other lamps come on nice and low for some ambient light. 
Office: my lamp is on 9-5:30 but it starts to dim from 5pm onwards to prepare me for the end of the day
Hallway and landing: all on motion sensor. Come on for 1 minute as you pass through. At night they come on super low so not enough to wake anyone up
Dressing room: also comes on super low at night so either of us can get dressed in the dark without waking the other up if needed.

That sounds brilliant, I'm sure I would use it, however, just a downside I though of. An elderly man lives opposite my aunt. One morning she noticed curtains still drawn and no lights on. Still the same after she washed and dressed so she knocked on his door. No response so she called the police who found him unresponsive in bed. Has he had automatic lights and blinds she wouldn't have noticed. He has recovered.

After this she invested in a wearable pendant which she can press to alert relatives. It automatically alerts them if there is no movement at certain times - wouldn't be without that now. 

MACKEM99

victor2 said:

housebuyer143 said:

Ebe_Scrooge said:

Gavin83 said:

GDB2222 said:

I bought our car secondhand at auction. I scoffed when I found out that it had heated seats,  but I would definitely want those in any replacement car we buy. 

Similarly, the driver's seat is electrically adjustable. As my wife and I share the car, it’s useful that the seat automatically adjusts itself depending on which key is used. Again, I scoffed originally, but it would be something I would look for in a replacement car. 

Also when parking it would display a top down view of the car on the screen, including any obstacles around the car so you could get it into the smallest gaps. Still never worked out how that even worked!

I've never had a car with parking sensors or cameras (I always buy old bangers!).  But a friend of mine has a Nissan with that "birds-eye" view thing.  Apparently there's a little camera on the underside of each wing mirror, and on the bottom of the front and back bumpers somewhere.  The computer just stitches the images from each one together, and Bob's your uncle.  Although how they stop the cameras from getting covered in mud and what-not, I've no idea.

I hired a car once that had "hill-start assist".  Never figured out how to use it, but never really wanted to.  I mean, come on, practising hill-starts used to be one of the most difficult things for a learner, but it rapidly becomes instinctive and easy-peasy.  Can't see the point of an "electronic assistant".

This is why learners who learn in nice new cars have such trouble when they buy a car they can afford. No hill start assist, no auto lights, parking cameras etc... Do you even learn how to drive anymore or does the car do most of the harder things for you? 

DD learnt to drive, and passed her test, in a car with a reversing camera. She subsequently bought a reversing camera with car attached. She couldn't reverse without one to save her life! 

My other half never reverses into our drive or puts the car in the garage.  She must go around in circles when she goes to other places!😄

DullGreyGuy

FFHillbilly said:

ice maker and chilled water dispenser on my American FF. didn't really use it at first and never wanted it, now can't drink unfiltered warm water

We thought they'd be somewhat useful but as it was on the opposite side for the room to the water we went for a non-plumbed in version and probably use it less than we thought because its awkward to fill the water container and the ice maker only makes a few cubes at a go (probably 2 drinks worth) 

victor2

DullGreyGuy said:

FFHillbilly said:

ice maker and chilled water dispenser on my American FF. didn't really use it at first and never wanted it, now can't drink unfiltered warm water

We thought they'd be somewhat useful but as it was on the opposite side for the room to the water we went for a non-plumbed in version and probably use it less than we thought because its awkward to fill the water container and the ice maker only makes a few cubes at a go (probably 2 drinks worth) 

When our very old plumbed in American Fridge/Freezer died, we wanted a replacement with the ice and water dispenser. There are quite a few now that don't have to be plumbed in, but since we already had the plumbing, didn't need one with its own water container. Can't see the point of that, it uses up valuable space and you can guarantee it will run out when most wanted!

I accept it's a hassle and extra cost to get one plumbed in, but well worth it IMO.

Filter has to be changed every six months according to the manufacturer, although I'm well past the last 6 month reminder and heading for 12 months now - and the water still tastes much better than the tap water.

Used to buy bottled water for drinking (the old fridge had no water filter), but don't any longer - and drink more water as well, which is supposed to be better for you, so a good move.

Last filter I bought cost £20, so £20 pa for limitless drinking water isn't a bad deal.