For reference, it’s a whole genre. Not to be confused with appliances that have speakers and bzzt or beep or play jingles or whatever, or for that matter also musical tesla coils, those are much more like speakers.
It’s been a part of computer culture since pretty much forever, now kinda dying out because nothing is mechanical any more.
As the user experience designer, this “singing“ of electronics, and other such devices has been prevalent for the last decade or so. It’s an attempt to humanize the electronic devices we interact with every day. I question its effectiveness or validity, but, nonetheless, it has become extremely popular in both the medical device field and the field of home appliances. Buying an LG or a Samsung appliance, and it will, very annoyingly, play little songs when it’s done doing whatever it does.
I find this a particularly interesting emergent cultural application of anthropomorphism to everyday objects. I wonder how it will progress over the next decade or so.
Uh I love the songs my dryer and dishwasher play when they’re done. Its much better than just BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZTT
When it’s done? Fine.
Every time I turn it on, or off, or open the door, or think about using it for a second? No thank you. I don’t need a tune for every action. I can very clearly see that you’re on because the display is on. I know you’re open because I’m standing right the fuck here.
I just need a singing rice cooker so I can go “Ganbatte Mr Rice Cooker San!” when he starts cooking and “Arigato Mr Rice Cooker San” when he is done.
You’re gonna miss the tune for when the display dies but the controller still works. It’s actually there for user input feedback. It could’ve been anything else, but if it has to be there, it might as well be something pleasant. Picture an appliance that screamed every time you pushed a button.
Like Hitchhiker’s Guide’s sighing doors. :D
OK well I have never seen one play a whole song every time you touch it. Mine just does a simple jingle when the cycle is over.
I prefer a simple signal, too. Maybe the whole “play a song when the laundry is done” is a cultural thing.
It seems a better expenditure than flinging cars into outer space, but that’s just me. 🤷
If Elon Musk wanted to use his company to be a dipshit and fling his car into space, why not?
The EPA and other regulators could control them better, but whatever ventures they choose to make are their own dumb choices. The only ways their dumb PR project intersects with anything NASA related is theyre both doing space things and NASA happens to give them contracts (which is how they’re able to afford to launch a car into space as a PR stunt).
The only ways their dumb PR project intersects with anything NASA related…
I mean we’re all nail-bitingly hoping Musk-and-friends’ increasing amount of space trash doesn’t intersect with NASA equipment as much as it already intersects our line of sight to the cosmos. :( lol
I wonder if they pitch-corrected it so it plays correctly in the Martian atmosphere…
If that’s not both sad and happy, then why am I reading this through tears?
If you like this and haven’t seen “Good Night, Oppy” you should go do that right now.
Incoming copyright lawsuit in 3, 2, 1…
Maybe it’s not enforceable on other planets?
It was broadcast to Earth!
No free fun allowed!
Thanks, needed that.
