# Useful features left off otherwise great appliances **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 1, 2011, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-features-left-off-otherwise-great-appliances/566058 "2011-01-01T16:17:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2011, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-features-left-off-otherwise-great-appliances/566058/21 "2011-01-02T01:32:14Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > What? Why on earth? If if they have that ability they really ought to come with a little button cell battery that can hold the time during a power outage. ---
**Author:** ![Al\_Bundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@Al\_Bundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al_Bundy)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2011, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-features-left-off-otherwise-great-appliances/566058/22 "2011-01-02T15:19:45Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > That’s so amazingly stupid I don’t even have words for it. Is there any reason EVER that your microwave would need to know what day it is? All my cooking is by microwave so I need two. I have two working right now. There even was a time when I had three, keeping one for backup. You can cook anything in a microwave from a turkey to baking bread and achieve almost the exact same result as with a regular stove and oven. I am far from along. Many people do this. I even saw a sitcom the other night and could see they had two MWs stacked. PS. I never said anything about a MW showing the day. You read that into my post. Many MWs have a feature allowing “delayed start.” I should have used that term so you were not confused. Hope that helps. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2011, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-features-left-off-otherwise-great-appliances/566058/23 "2011-01-02T15:34:18Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > Other ovens I’ve had would light up when I opened the door. I’ve never seen an oven like this, but now I want one. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2011, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-features-left-off-otherwise-great-appliances/566058/24 "2011-01-02T15:39:39Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > I’ve never seen an oven like this, but now I want one. Every oven I’ve ever used did this. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2011, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-features-left-off-otherwise-great-appliances/566058/25 "2011-01-02T15:48:24Z")
> [@Larry\_Mudd](#): > > Back in prehistoric times, my “best” VCR had all the bells and whistles. However, the counter (on both the LED and onscreen displays) was only visible when it was in play (or record) mode. If you were fast-forwarding or rewinding, it helpfully changed to either “FFW,” or “RWD,” because, hey, who cares how far along you actually are when you’re fast-forwarding? > > Now, in the GLORIOUS FUTURE, my little WDHDTV Media player (which is the very best thing ever) lacks a time search feature. Sure, it will offer to pick up where you left off last time, (if that’s what you want to do) but it seems a bit ridiculous that you can’t open a movie up and immediately seek to 3:20:00 without fast-forwarding through the first three hours. It sometimes makes me feel like I have a tiny, sleek, futuristic video player that uses some sort of linear media… like… say… _tape_. :smack: > > I think there may be a conspiracy at work, here. Bloody good point. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2011, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-features-left-off-otherwise-great-appliances/566058/26 "2011-01-02T15:53:02Z")
> [@Al\_Bundy](#): > > PS. I never said anything about a MW showing the day. You read that into my post. Many MWs have a feature allowing “delayed start.” I should have used that term so you were not confused. Hope that helps. I think the **Zsofia** ’s comment about the microwave not needing to show the day was in reference to my post, where I specifically call out my microwave for asking me the day, but never using it. > [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](#): > > After a power outage, I have to set both the time AND date on my microwave before I can use it. That’s not really a missing feature - more of an added annoyance someone had to go out of the way to do. It’s not like I have a program mode that says “start at 2:30 on Monday”. There was a follow up asking why you would want an advance program mode. I admit I’ve never felt the need for that option, but I can imagine other people would use it. I’m curious, though - most of the things I put in my microwave are not shelf stable - what do you put in there and use delayed start for? (Serious question..) -D/a ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2011, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-features-left-off-otherwise-great-appliances/566058/27 "2011-01-02T15:56:00Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > Why can’t I turn the sound off on my microwave oven? I don’t need to hear the beeping of the buttons I press. If I’m trying to not wake up the household when I use it, I should be able to mute it. This never occurred to me but now I want it because there are tons of times it would be useful. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2011, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-features-left-off-otherwise-great-appliances/566058/28 "2011-01-02T21:23:13Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > Why can’t I turn the sound off on my microwave oven? I don’t need to hear the beeping of the buttons I press. If I’m trying to not wake up the household when I use it, I should be able to mute it. I’d settle for a microwave that would **stop beeping** once you open the damn door. If the door is open, I obviously know the food is done, so why insist on finishing the beep sequence? I’d also like to be able to mute the beep that happens when I lock my car doors with the keyfob - which happens to be the only way to get the dome light to go off. Why make me be that pretentious asshole who just _has_ to draw attention with their car? ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2011, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-features-left-off-otherwise-great-appliances/566058/29 "2011-01-02T21:42:40Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > I’d also like to be able to mute the beep that happens when I lock my car doors with the keyfob - which happens to be the only way to get the dome light to go off. Why make me be that pretentious asshole who just _has_ to draw attention with their car? My Subaru key fob does have the ability to either turn off the sound, beep, or honk. (I’d like to run over the people who use the honk.) The instructions are hidden in the owner’s manual, though. Check yours just in case. ---
**Author:** ![cruel\_butterfly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5daacb/32.png) [@cruel\_butterfly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cruel_butterfly)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2011, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-features-left-off-otherwise-great-appliances/566058/30 "2011-01-02T23:34:33Z")
A “page” button on the TV (or the satellite receiver etc) that, when pushed, would cause the remote I can’t seem to locate to beep repetitively until I can find it. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2011, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-features-left-off-otherwise-great-appliances/566058/31 "2011-01-02T23:57:37Z")
> [@cruel\_butterfly](#): > > A “page” button on the TV (or the satellite receiver etc) that, when pushed, would cause the remote I can’t seem to locate to beep repetitively until I can find it. Good lord, YES! ---
**Author:** ![sparky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-features-left-off-otherwise-great-appliances/566058/32 "2011-01-03T01:42:02Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > My Subaru key fob does have the ability to either turn off the sound, beep, or honk. (I’d like to run over the people who use the honk.) The instructions are hidden in the owner’s manual, though. Check yours just in case. I just checked my manual. It said to do something like this: Press and hold unlock button on the remote, then insert and remove key from ignition 6 times while holding the button, then open and close door within 10 seconds of removing key from ignition. You just know the guy who developed the procedure had a big shit-eating grin on his face. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-features-left-off-otherwise-great-appliances/566058/33 "2011-01-03T02:13:14Z")
For those wondering why appliances might want to know the day of the week, I suggest you check your instructions and see if they also have [Sabbath mode](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabbath_mode). ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-features-left-off-otherwise-great-appliances/566058/34 "2011-01-03T02:24:44Z")
Like all the really cheap digital stuff. A long straight through set up sequence and woe to he who makes a mistake and needs to change something at the 27th step… A place to mount a second battery in these all electric controlled cars as a standard item. I’ll gladly buy my own battery. ---
**Author:** ![king\_gorilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9fc29f/32.png) [@king\_gorilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/king_gorilla)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-features-left-off-otherwise-great-appliances/566058/35 "2011-01-03T05:36:49Z")
> [@cruel\_butterfly](#): > > A “page” button on the TV (or the satellite receiver etc) that, when pushed, would cause the remote I can’t seem to locate to beep repetitively until I can find it. Yes! I immediately thought of this when I clicked on this thread. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-features-left-off-otherwise-great-appliances/566058/36 "2011-01-03T07:51:25Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > My Subaru key fob does have the ability to either turn off the sound, beep, or honk. (I’d like to run over the people who use the honk.) The instructions are hidden in the owner’s manual, though. Check yours just in case. Awesome, thanks. And when I said “beep” I did mean the horn. I didn’t get a manual with the car (used) but in the pdf version online it does show how to make it stop beeping the horn. ---
**Author:** ![Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maggie_the_Ocelot)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-features-left-off-otherwise-great-appliances/566058/37 "2011-01-03T07:54:16Z")
My Wii doesn’t play DVDs. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-features-left-off-otherwise-great-appliances/566058/38 "2011-01-03T09:21:46Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > Awesome, thanks. And when I said “beep” I did mean the horn. I didn’t get a manual with the car (used) but in the pdf version online it does show how to make it stop beeping the horn. OMG, I have helped make the world a little bit better place tonight! I will now go to bed happy. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-features-left-off-otherwise-great-appliances/566058/39 "2011-01-03T10:32:45Z")
> [@cruel\_butterfly](#): > > A “page” button on the TV (or the satellite receiver etc) that, when pushed, would cause the remote I can’t seem to locate to beep repetitively until I can find it. That would be awesome, but it would also require changing how most remote controls work. Since they use infrared, the remote would not only have to be aimed somewhat facing the TV (so, useless if it’s stuck in the couch), but would also require it to be on all the time looking for IR signals, making the batteries die much, much quicker. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-features-left-off-otherwise-great-appliances/566058/40 "2011-01-03T12:41:32Z")
> [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > That would be awesome, but it would also require changing how most remote controls work. Since they use infrared, the remote would not only have to be aimed somewhat facing the TV (so, useless if it’s stuck in the couch), but would also require it to be on all the time looking for IR signals, making the batteries die much, much quicker. If could have an RF receiver just for that purpose. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-features-left-off-otherwise-great-appliances/566058.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-features-left-off-otherwise-great-appliances/566058.md?page=3)