If the fridge operation depends on a simple thermostat and compressor, then it’s more reliable and can be repaired with lamp wire and a soldering iron if it does break. Samsung would rather have a system depending on a control board they build for $3 and sell you for $600 when it breaks.

They change the firmware and connectors every year or two to make sure no one can build a universal replacement

Yup. We used to have a fridge built in the early 80s (possibly late 70s) that lasted until 2015. Ugly ass harvest gold color and everything. Ran it continuously. Had to have it repaired maybe twice in all that time. We moved out and left it behind; for all I know it’s still going (though probably not because it was truly an eyesore).

The point is that a well built refrigerator can last decades, same as other major appliances like washing machines and dryers. No computerization necessary at all. Our fridge was not the most energy efficient by the end, obviously, but apart from that . . . why not build them to last?

Greed. Just overwhelming, all-consuming corporate greed.

Having a camera to check the inside when you are at the shop to remember something you forgot it’s nice but I wouldn’t trade that for enshitification when it can be achieved with a RPI.

One good function is cooling while no-one’s in the room, so that the fridge goes quiet when anyone is in hearing distance. Decibel limits for set times of day works about the same.

It’s not just a pump, it’s a linear compressor driven at any frequency or stroke length accoring to the situation, and there’s a variable speed fan with lots of valves for directing cold air to where warmth is detected. It’s hard to hear when the compressor starts because it slowly sneaks up to full speed and full stroke over a minute.

I still haven’t dared to give my LG fridge-freezer network access, but it may have already found its way out via a neighbour’s LG TV.