If more household things were "smart", what help could you use?

I went into the kitchen this morning to find my dishwasher still jam-packed full of dirty dishes. I had forgotten to run it overnight, again. This made me start thinking of some ways my house could help me more…


Dishwasher alert: Sensors indicate soap has been loaded in the soap tray. What time would you like the dishwasher to start? (Or did you mean to leave it overnight, again?)

Microwave: :warning: The last runtime was 12 minutes. Items in the unit will be exceedingly hot. Confirmation required that you have potholders in hand before the door will unlock.

Smart-Yeti <> Calendar Integration: :musical_notes: Your beverage is empty and your next hour-long meeting begins in 10 minutes. Refill your cup now to survive the meeting.

Gas Tank <> GPS app Integration: Your planned route includes an isolated stretch of highway with distances between gas stations that exceed your current fuel amount’s potential mileage. Please refuel at one of the next three gas stations.

Smart mailbox: The mail has been delivered. Don’t bother walking out here, it’s all junk mail, again.


How about you, what “smart” features would make your everyday household items a little more helpful?

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Red alert: Your wife’s new red blouse from Etsy is in the washer with your new white undershirts and/or socks. Alert! Alert!

All of my smarter home wishes seem to revolve around laundry. Give me a laundry robot and I’ll pay nearly anything.

As for smart mailbox, USPS Informed Delivery shows me what’s going to be in the day’s mail before it arrives.

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Indeed, and they now follow-up with an additional email when the day’s snail mail is actually delivered.

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Hmm…I don’t get that additional e-mail, but the dog is really good about making a fuss when the mail carrier is in sight.

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I want you to know I was a mile into my afternoon dog walk when your crafty play on words finally hit me. “Red alert!” :laughing:

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Alexa, remind me to start the dishwasher at 10 p.m.

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Range-check on the microwave time. Once I set the time to something like 20 minutes instead of 2 minutes, and ruined the turntable.

AI voice: “Are you sure you want to cook that long? Are you crazy, or what?”

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