It's not really hostile in this particular case. It beeps a few times when the status changes and then just displays led in amber instead of green.
It is kinda sad how much effort went into this "functionality", how much it increases the cost of the device, but selling replacement heads is their primary business. Maybe the brushes would be more expensive without the NFC reader and timers.
Yes this. It's not like the entire tooth brush stops working. Also, if you've used the brush for so long, it may very well be time to replace the head for the sake of oral hygiene. The most consumer unfriendly thing about these toothbrushes is just how expensive the heads are.
Just changing the colour of an LED seems okay to me. I'm thinking more of the HP school of business where the toothbrush would stop working until the correct proprietary brush was replaced.
Yea I have this toothbrush too, I also noticed the weird IC on the bottom of the brush head when I first bought it, I nearly correctly surmised what it did, was a little upset at the prospect of being forced to buy a new head when Phillips decided it was time, but it turns out it doesn’t really do anything, it buzzes a few times at the end of brushing when it thinks it’s time. And the LED changes color… who cares…
The recommendation generally is to replace your tooth brush semi-annually, which this basically reminds you to do.
I have never seen the reminder because I guess I change the heads before they detect it is time. I always notice a big difference in function when I do.
Every time I turn it off, the Philips Sonicare plays a loud series of beeps, near my head, at times of day when I'm just waking up or about to sleep, for a toothbrush head that is well within its lifespan.
The only supported way to stop the beeping is to throw out the current toothbrush head, and pay Philips more money for a replacement that isn't needed yet.
I'm not sure what you mean by "every time I turn it off", or "loud series of beeps"... Are you sure you have an actual Sonicare? Because that doesn't need to be turned off after brushing (the cycle ends itself), nor is it capable of producing beeps that could be described as anywhere near "loud".
In any case, the user manual that helpfully ships with every genuine Sonicare, and is also easily accessible online, succinctly describes the steps to disable the beeping:
1. Put the handle on the plugged-in charger.
2. Press and hold the power on/off button while the handle remains on the charger.
3. Keep the power on/off button pressed until you hear a series of two short beeps (after 4-5 seconds).
4. Release the power on/off button.
But, as an actual Sonicare owner: when it beeps for replacement, the head is truly overdue for that. In fact, I synced the replacement schedule of my manual toothbrush (which sees an equivalent duty cycle in my case), and every time I look at both brushes, I have to admit: yup, those need replacement!
As an electrical engineer I want to just remind everybody that firmware can differ wildly between countries and even within one series depending on when it was deployed.
You discuss this as if it was one static unchanging thing, when it is likely at least 10-20 different things.
As a person thinking through this logically I just want to remind everybody that all that adds extra cost and effort and no company is going to do that unless they have to. Could a new firmware have been released mid-cycle? Sure. Could the firmware somewhere else in the world differ? Sure.
Is it likely that either is the case? Probably not. If anything, they would make a new firmware as part of a product launch.
I used be skeptical of electric toothbrushes, and still use manual brushes when travelling, but sonicare brushes are really good. Even my dentist once asked me which brush I use. YMMV
> Every time I turn it off, the Philips Sonicare plays a loud series of beeps
OK, that is annoying. Mine doesn't do that. I only got the annoying beeps a few times around the time the timer expired. Ever since only the different color light.
For me such an experience puts that manufacturer on my blacklist. I will never buy anything from them again, unless they managed to convince me that they changed their whole shtick.
There are many brand names on there, but hey, I am doing fine.
You do have to eventually replace your toothbrush head, though. You are grinding down the brush bristles with polishing compound ("toothpaste") every time you brush your teeth.
Honestly, I appreciate it. Brushes really do wear out and clean less effectively over time, and as a user you don't really notice it -- frog in a boiling pot and everything.
But every time I swap brush heads after it reminds me, you can feel how much more effective the stiffer bristles are.
It's not like razor blades where it becomes really obvious from tugging that they need to be replaced. Brushes just slowly get softer and, if you're like me, you just don't notice.
More expensive because they couldn't annoy you into buying as many brush heads? It's sort of the subscription vs. software license debate all over again, but in our mouths... I will admit to using my brush heads past the time when Philips 'helpfully' starts nagging me to replace them, and it was sort of satisfying to see this reset work. It also got me looking around and I see people pop the NFC rings loose from old heads to reuse them as NFC tags, which is fun, I will have to harvest a few of those (I do eventually retire mine and use them for scrubbing etc.)
It is kinda sad how much effort went into this "functionality", how much it increases the cost of the device, but selling replacement heads is their primary business. Maybe the brushes would be more expensive without the NFC reader and timers.