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Whirlpool plugs Alexa and Google Assistant into its appliances
Whirlpool's smart appliances have already had some voice assistant control, but they're about become particularly AI-savvy. The company has unveiled a 2018 lineup where many appliances support both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, letting you control most of your home using the smart speaker (or mobile app) you prefer. You can check the time left on the washing machine, start the dishwasher or change the temperature of your fridge without lifting a finger.
Bosch's stain scanner knows what you spilled on your shirt last night
German technology giant Bosch is mostly known for making home appliances. And at IFA 2017, the company is showing off a concept that it hopes can add a new dimension to those products. The X-Spect is a portable device that detects fabric composition, scans stains and figures out what your food is composed of. As pictured above, it looks a lot like a TV remote, and it features a tiny screen and capacitive touch buttons that let you browse through menus. Right now, Bosch is demoing the X-Spect, which weighs a mere 200 grams (less than half a pound) alongside one of its WiFi washers to deliver "optimal" cycle recommendations.
Samsung's 'AI-powered' washer is just trying to save you time
IFA 2017 isn't all about smartphones, smartwatches and cute droids. The event is also a chance for companies to showcase their latest innovations for home appliances. Samsung did its part this year with the WW8800M washer, which sports technology called QuickDrive that promises to complete a full load of laundry in just 39 minutes --typically, it's about 70. The company says it's able to do this without compromising washing performance, energy efficiency and fabric care, something that will matter deeply to people who are extra conscious of how they do their laundry. Oh, and it says AI is involved.
Samsung is using Dish Network techs to fix washing machines
Samsung recalled nearly three million top-loading washing machines last year after reports they were exploding. It gave customers the option of having their appliances fixed by a certified technician. Now, it's making good on that promise -- sort of. According to a report by Consumerist, it's sending out Dish Network techs to make the repairs.
Samsung's FlexWash and FlexDry machines are laundry 'Inception'
The new FlexWash and FlexDry laundry machines from Samsung are, to put it simply, beastly. The front-loading compartment on the washer is five cubic feet alone, and that's not including the extra cubic foot added by the top-loader space. The FlexWash machine features dual washers and the FlexDry machine has dual dryers, making the whole system a feast of dryer-in-dryer and washer-in-washer action.
Samsung goes overboard to make you care about laundry
Let's be honest: it's hard to get excited about laundry machines. Even when they have neat party tricks like Amazon refills and smartphone apps, it really boils down to one question: does it clean your clothes properly? Samsung thinks it can do enough to make you sit up and take notice, though. It's unveiling a FlexWash + FlexDry laundry machine combo that includes both dual washers (which we've seen before) and dual dryers. You can completely clean your delicates without having to disrupt your main load, for instance, or run up to four loads at once if it's particularly busy.
Electrolux is testing Uber-like laundry machine sharing
You can already get rides from strangers and rent their rooms, but what if you could use their washers and dryers? Electrolux thinks it's worth a shot. CEO Jonas Samuelson tells the Financial Times that the appliance giant is testing a "laundry Uber" where you could pay to clean your clothes at someone else's home. This would require an abundance of connected machines to be viable, but it would help you recoup some of the cost of expensive equipment that stays idle most of the week.
US regulators warn customers about exploding Samsung washers
Just days after Samsung began replacing defective Galaxy Note 7s due to a risk of exploding batteries, the company faces another major product issue. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a warning today after multiple reports of top-loading washing machines exploding. Owners of Samsung appliances in Georgia, Indiana and Texas say that they were doing a load of laundry when they heard a loud boom.
Whirlpool washer and dryer can order refills with Amazon Dash
If you hate having to swing by the store to get washing detergent and dryer sheets, Whirlpool has you covered. The appliance maker's Smart Top Load Washer and Dryer can now use the Amazon Dash Replenishment Service to automatically re-order supplies. Once you've synced your Amazon account, you don't have to lift a finger -- the machines will estimate when you're running low and ship accordingly. This is just one part of a smarter design (they already talk to your smartphone and Nest thermostat), but it could make the biggest difference.
Amazon Dash is ready to refill your printer or washing machine
Amazon has been hyping up devices with built-in Dash refill ordering, and the first wave of those devices is finally here. As of today, you can use the Dash Replenishment Service to top up the ink or toner on compatible Brother printers. If you're willing to wait until the end of January, the option will also be available for both a General Electric washing machine and a Gmate blood glucose monitor. Whichever device you get, the only real requirement is that you turn on the service -- Amazon will automatically order resupplies whenever your device is running low.
Meet the laundry-folding washing machine of our lazy-ass future
Socks are the hardest. For a future washing machine that washes, dries and then folds the results, it's one of the small barriers that remains in that latter stage. But as a research project that started back in 2008, Laundroid is finally getting there. Next year, the collaboration between housing firm Daiwa House, electronics company Panasonic and Seven Dreamers will start offering preorders, the year after that 'beta' machines, then folding machines for big institutions, with event full retail planned the year after that -- we'll be in 2019 by then. (That said, the all-in-one model is still at the in-development stage). There's no price and the presentation we saw added in a bunch of mosaic filtering on top as the shirt gradually got folded so you couldn't see how the thing actually works. But that's okay. We can wait. It's not going to stop us waiting our chore-dodging dreams to come true.
LG and Samsung end their war over broken washing machines
LG and Samsung just can't stay mad at each other over a few broken washing machines. The two electronics giants have agreed to end the legal disputes that emerged after Samsung accused an LG exec of willfully wrecking its washers at the IFA trade show last year. As LG explains to us, it was in the "best interest" of not just the companies, but South Korea. The country is dealing with a rough economy, you see, and the two sides would rather focus on more appealing products than tearing each other down in court. The truce doesn't let LG off the hook -- South Korean law still lets authorities dole out punishment even if the plaintiff withdraws. Both LG and Samsung have asked for leniency, however, so it won't be surprising if this washing machine war ends without any casualties.
LG exec charged with ruining Samsung washing machines (update: video)
LG's appliances leader isn't going to escape allegations that he wrecked Samsung washers at a German store. South Korean prosecutors have charged both the executive, Jo Seong-Jin, and two other LG employees with purposefully damaging the defenseless laundry machines. Jo's lawyer doubts that there's enough evidence, but something tells us that the court won't let his client off that easy. Samsung certainly won't. Reuters understands that mediation talks between LG and Samsung fell apart, and the two are still at each other's throats after Samsung Display workers were charged with stealing OLED screen technology from LG Display. In many ways, the washer case reflects the sheer amount of pride the two Korean tech giants have -- they'd rather go to trial over seemingly inconsequential costs than eat their humble pie. Update: LG has released an annotated and edited video of the incident (below) in an effort to gain public support. It shows several LG employees, including Jo, inspecting the machine in plain sight of Samsung security guards. Jo is shown pushing on the door vertically in an inset closeup, but LG said that's a routine test he performs on appliances.
GE's smart appliances let you take control with your phone
It's now fairly easy to get at least a few connected appliances, but it's still rare to see a full range of them. What if you want to outfit your whole home with smart equipment? GE thinks it has an answer with its new Profile line. The series' dishwasher, fridge, laundry combo, ovens and water heater all give you control from a smartphone. You can preheat your oven before you get home, or tell your water heater that you're going on vacation. Your washer will let you know when your clothes are done, and your fridge will warn you if someone left the door open. Only the ovens are available today, though, so don't start planning a home technology revamp just yet. While the water heater arrives in February, you'll have to wait until the spring to get either the fridge or the laundry pair -- and the dishwasher won't arrive until 2015 is almost over.
LG is building a washing machine that doesn't use water
Still not charmed by LG's robo-vacuum? Well, the Korean electronics manufacturer has plenty more appliances up its capacious sleeves, including a washing machine that won't require water. Alas, Senior Vice President for LG Electronics Home Appliance Division, Kevin Cha, wasn't willing to divulge to us exactly how this laundry magic trick will be performed, or whether it'll be totally waterless rather than just virtually waterless -- it's still in the early stages of development and is (for now) a trade secret. What we do know is that another LG model, the Styler that was unveiled at CES this year, can already 'freshen' clothes without detergent or water. This, too, is also going to pick up a feature upgrade, with the company set to add some kind of ironing functionality to the upright clothes cabinet soon. LG is also looking at an ecological re-imagining of the refrigerator, with a prototype that can keep itself cool for six hours without any power assistance. In general, LG says it's focusing on next-generation smart appliances in a big way next year. Hopefully, those plans will include some of the interesting patents we've picked up recently -- and wine.
If Apple made a washing machine
During the last quarterly earnings call, Apple CEO Tim Cook helped out comedians and pundits around the world by talking about a mythical "Toaster-Fridge." Now humor site Slacktory has imagined what the world would be like with the AppleClean washing machine. While I won't give away all of the funny parts, the image at the top of the page should give you a good idea of the general tone of the post. My favorite feature? Find My Socks. [via LoopInsight]
LG announces upgraded Smart ThinQ appliances, average refrigerator IQ set to rise in 2012
Were last year's ThinQ appliances from LG just not quite... sophisticated enough for you? Well, noble reader, screw that monocle a little tighter into your eye and get a load of this year's crop, which LG has dubbed Smart ThinQ. This includes a whole range of appliances like washing machines, ovens and even the company's robotic vacuum cleaners. Most promising to us is the refrigerator, which sports an LCD that indicates what food is in the refrigerator, where it's located and when it expires -- information that you can access from your similarly smart phone as well. That sounds fascinating, but it also sounds just like last year's more remedial ThinQ models, so we're not sure how much new functionality is included in this update. We'll endeavor to go find out once these hit the CES show floor next week.
DIY e-bike hack gets washing machine motorization, stuck on permanent spin cycle (video)
Do all dead washing machines go to meet that lonely Maytag repairman in the sky? Nope, some of'em get their guts repurposed for use in hipster transportation, otherwise known as bicycles. At least that's what one fed up, frugal Munich denizen did to avoid that German's city costly PT fees. It's not what you'd call an elegant hack, as our DIYer's had to haphazardly rig up his washer's 300W motor to the bike's frame and stuff two clunky 12Ah batteries into a sidebag off the back tire. Still, it appears to get the job done, spinning at a max of 3000rpms with an ejector button on / off switch affixed to the right hand brake. We're not sure how well or reliably this modjob fares on busy roadways, so for the time being we'll just stick to Vespas. Check out the video after the break for an unmoving portrait of this eFahrrad.
Siemens shows off iPad-controlled homeConnect appliances
You use your mobile device for pretty much everything these days, right? So why not the kitchen? That was part of Siemens' pitch today at IFA -- the ability to control your cooking and dish washing from afar. The company debuted homeConnect, a "networked kitchen," which lets homeowners check on their energy consumption, shut down appliances remotely, receive notifications when the washing is done and view the contents of their fridges in real time -- with the help of internal cameras trained at the food. By downloading recipes from the internet, users can also import temperature and cooking times. This isn't the first time we've seen some kitchen-based connectivity, of course -- LG debuted the similar smartphone-based Thinq line at CES earlier this year. %Gallery-132133%
Laundrino ensures you'll never rely on your washing machine's timer again
We can't count the number of instances we've started a load of laundry in our washing machine and missed the timer go off, only to later find an odorous and damp pile of what should have been fresh garments. Luckily, the tried-and-trusted Arduino is stepping in to solve yet another first world problem. A fellow over at möp, möp! (apparently, a sub-blog of the Fellowship of Free Software Foundation Europe), had a relatable issue by way of a busted cycle-indicator. Rather than having to check the machine constantly or call a repairman, they decided on the obvious choice: hooking it up to an Arduino Uno and Ethernet shield. Now, the unit is programed to ping a web address over LAN that lets the user know whether the load-cycle is complete, and if so, how long it's been idle for. The poster's even been kind enough to detail the work and source code required, which you'll find by hitting the source link below. "Rinse and repeat" never seemed so fitting.
