Samsung has added a trio of interactive appliances to its 2013 lineup, such as the T9000 refrigerator with an LCD screen that lets you share lists on Evernote, check the weather, and program schedules in Google Calendar.
"The kitchen is the hub of the home and the refrigerator is the center of the kitchen," said Joe Stinziano, vice-president of Samsung Electronics America, while showcasing the refrigerator at a Monday press conference. It's almost like your fridge is part of the family.
The French-door refrigerator is also able to expand its freezer capacity with the touch of a button. A compartment can become a freezer then switch back to regular refrigerator temps.
People are expecting their appliances to do more for them and meet a variety of needs, Samsung Electronics President Boo-Keun Yoon said during opening remarks at the press conference. "We developed appliances that understand you and your home," he said. The refrigerator is an example of a product "that helps keep the family organized, entertained, and connected," he added.
Old dogs, new tricks
Samsung also showed off another multitasking product, a new over-the-range speed oven that looks like a microwave but is also a convection oven, broiler, toaster, and range hood in one.
A top-load washing machine with an expanded 5 cubic feet of space rounded out the appliance lineup that Samsung is trumpeting at CES this year.
With all of these appliance innovations going on, perhaps next year we'll see refrigerators smart enough to carry on real conversations. The kitchen will never be a lonely place again.
