[Electronics-Talk] Fw: [blind-hams] FW: ACB-L Talking Thermostats.com Closing

Mon Aug 26 20:58:49 UTC 2019

All smart home devices I am aware of can function without Internet. It’s just that the value add that you get from using them is not available to you. For example, you can use Alexa to turn on and off smart switch. If the Internet is down, you have to walk over to the switch and push a button.

As far as hacking goes, I’m not aware of any Internet of things device that can’t be easily hacked. This is a problem if you’re talking about the locks on my front door. I’m not sure if it is as big a problem if you’re talking about my microwave oven or my thermostat.

Jim

Written while on the move,, 

> On Aug 26, 2019, at 1:09 PM, Andy Baracco via Electronics-Talk <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> I do not like the idea of appliances and appliance controls being dependent on WIFI or the internet.  Last week I had no WIFI and Internet for two days, and it was bad, but at least i could watch TV, control my AC and my security system was not affected because it uses the cellular network.
> 
> Andy
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Pamela Dominguez via Electronics-Talk" <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> To: "Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances" <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: "Pamela Dominguez" <pammygirl99 at gmail.com>
> Sent: Monday, August 26, 2019 7:29 AM
> Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] Fw: [blind-hams] FW: ACB-L Talking Thermostats.com Closing
> 
> 
>> What other talking thermostadts are there that don't have to work with other devices to make them work?  I don't know what kind they put in my building when they renovated, but you can bet that it was whatever was the cheapest. Pam.
>> 
>> -----Original Message----- From: Sherri Brun via Electronics-Talk
>> Sent: Monday, August 26, 2019 1:09 AM
>> To: Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances
>> Cc: Sherri Brun
>> Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] Fw: [blind-hams] FW: ACB-L Talking Thermostats.com Closing
>> 
>> I am using the Ecobee 4 thermostat! It works withinthe Alexa app and its app is fairly easy to use. I like it because you can change your temperature while you are out. There is an at home mode and an away mode. HTH!'
>> 
>> Sherri
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>>>> On Aug 26, 2019, at 12:21 AM, Andy Baracco via Electronics-Talk <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> 
>>> This is sad news indeed!  which other accessible thermostats are folks using?
>>> 
>>> ------ Original Message ------
>>> 
>>> From: janet.dickelman--- via ACB-L
>>> To: leadership at acblists.org, acb-l at acblists.org
>>> Sent: August 25, 2019 at 5:08 PM
>>> Subject: ACB-L Talking Thermostats.com Closing
>>> 
>>> Many of you have this product, please see note below from Harry Cohen.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Janet Dickelman
>>> 
>>> Talking Thermostats.com
>>> 
>>> P.O. Box 27145  ●  Golden Valley, MN  55427  ●  Tel  (763) 591-9557  ● Fax (763) 544-7166
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Dear friends of the Blind and Visually Impaired Community,
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> My name is Harry Cohen and my company, Talking Thermostats.com has supplied many of you with talking thermostats and excellent customer service over the past sixteen years.  I am writing to inform you that as of this date we will be exiting the talking thermostat business and closing our company.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> This was a difficult decision to make.  We were helped with this decision by the manufacturer, BuyMax Alliance who is also our supplier of the VIP talking thermostat.  Because of poor inventory control by our supplier, their stock of talking thermostats was depleted in January of this year. In addition, our supplier changed to a new electronic assembly vendor in China. Both of these issues by our supplier have caused very long lead times resulting in a stock out condition of thermostats not only for our company but also for our competitors.  All the VIP talking thermostats come from the same factory in China.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> We have not had thermostats to ship since February.  BuyMax Alliance told us we would have thermostats in April.  Then they changed the delivery to the end of July.  It is now the third week of August and still no thermostats. During these six plus months, we still offered customer and technical support even though there was no income being generated. Without income, we can no longer afford to pay rent, keep the lights on and keep the phones active.   Therefore, we are closing up shop.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> With the closure of our business, product questions and warranty issues now revert back to BuyMax Alliance, the VIP 3000 manufacturer / supplier. BuyMax Alliance can be reached at 866-936-6622.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Over the past sixteen years this business has given me the opportunity to establish relationships with the blind and visually impaired community of the United States and provide another means to help people with visual impairments live more independently.  Thank you for this opportunity.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Sincerely,
>>> 
>>> Harry Cohen
>>> 
>>> Harry at talkingthermostats.com
>>> 
>>> 
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>> 
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