We need to stop putting firmware in things that don't need firmware. Not everything needs a chip or intelligence. The rampant abuse of this kind of thing leads to shitty products and an uptick in electronic waste.
It really makes a difference:
- The connection to my phone helps coach me in making sure I'm brushing my teeth properly. Bad habits sink in easily, and my various dentists all point out that my teeth and gums are much, much healthier. Given that I am cursed with some bad oral genetics, it's "money well spent" for me.
- The counter helps remind me when to change my toothbrush head. I used to be much lazier about changing it; again; because bad habits easily sink in.
Could someone figure out how to do this without an NFC chip in the toothbrush? I hope so! The toothbrush heads cost much more than traditional "dumb" manual toothbrushes. I don't want to have to spend big bucks just to have good personal hygiene.
When things change gradually, I tend to ignore the change.
To put it in a different context, I've had the fadeout brush heads for years, but I had to get in the habit of changing my brush head when I went in for a dental cleaning because otherwise, I'd just keep using it forever.
Putting firmware in shit that doesn't need firmware is itself a problem, even if it's free.