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Watch LG's CES press event in 9 minutes
This morning, LG used its CES press conference to reveal more details about its "Real 8K" televisions and rollable 4K OLED TV. LG also offered a glimpse of its 48-inch 4K OLED and its GX Gallery Series ultrathin wallpaper OLED TVs. Additionally, the company confirmed that the 2020 lineup will support Dolby Vision IQ and Filmmaker Mode, and US viewers will be able to get additional details about specific scenes.
Christine Fisher01.06.2020
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.
Jon Fingas02.15.2015
LG built a baby washing machine to sit beneath its regular ones
Picture the scene: You're doing your laundry, separating silken "intimates" from your jeans, but you don't have enough time to wash both before you go out. You fall to the floor and beat the ground with your fists, cursing your inability to plan ahead. But then you remember that you bought LG's Twin Wash, a front-loading washing machine that has a dainty secondary washing machine tucked into the pedestal. Now you can throw those jeans into the main tub and still have room for your delicates!
Daniel Cooper01.05.2015LG exec can't fly to CES after wrecking a Samsung washer
It was during German trade show IFA that LG's home appliance boss Jo Seong-jin allegedly damaged a Samsung washing machine while visiting a local store. He may have thought that his actions were mere high-school hijinks, but his Korean rivals don't see it that way. In fact, the hostility between the companies has boiled over to the point where Samsung reported the incident to South Korea's authorities, who have apparently banned the executive from traveling to CES in January.
Daniel Cooper12.23.2014
Could your washer really charge your smartphone from across the room?
Wireless charging is a little bit more convenient than plugging your device in, but was picking up a microUSB lead ever that much of a chore in the first place? White goods and TV supremos Haier believe so, which is why it's signed a development pact with wireless charging outfit Energous. The latter company's WattUp technology promises to deliver power over the same radio bands as a WiFi router and is apparently able to charge a smartphone from distances of up to 15 feet. The idea, at this early stage, is to cram these power transmitters into Haier's refrigerators, washing machines and microwaves, so that you can re-juice your phone while you wait for your dinner and do your laundry.
Daniel Cooper10.31.2014
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]
Steve Sande06.25.2012
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.
Tim Stevens01.05.2012
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.
Joseph Volpe10.25.2011
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%
Brian Heater08.31.2011
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.
Joe Pollicino08.08.2011
LG Thinq linqs your smart appliances with WiFi and smartphone apps
LG just exhausted 1,000 words to announce its new range of smart appliances built around Thinq technology. Unfortunately, for all the hyperbole there's not much detail about the appliances themselves. We do know that Thinq features smart grid, access, diagnosis, adapt, and food management capabilities. At the center of Thinq is the concept of an intelligent WiFi grid built around a smart meter enabling home owners to schedule the oven cook time, washing machine cycle, and refrigerator defrost at the most cost-effective or convenient times. Smart Access allows homeowners to control and monitor appliances from outside of the home and, better yet, control LG's HOM-BOT robotic vacuum cleaner to clean or remotely view the house and even feed the dog. LG's smart refrigerators can count and display the number of times the door is opened and alert home owners when the door is ajar. Alerts can also be scheduled when the ice-maker is switched off or the washing machine is off balance or a load is finished. LCD displays on LG's Thinq appliances show daily, weekly, or monthly reports detailing each appliance's energy consumption. Naturally, you can access daily totals from your smartphone or tablet as well. New Smart Diagnosis features include downloadable diagnostic information and the ability to hit a few buttons on the appliance to emit a series of tones to assist LG technicians troubleshooting problems over the phone. The food management feature works by dragging and dropping food icons around the LCD display or by using built-in voice recognition. Unfortunately, the inventory must be managed manually making this feature pretty useless for all but the most obsessive of home owners. All the appliances are software upgradeable with the ability to download new features like pre-programmed recipes and advanced wash cycles. It all sounds very intriguing but we'll have to see it demonstrated live before we're convinced of its usefulness. Until then we've got a few pics of the user interface and one of washer and dryer pair in the gallery below. %Gallery-112418%
Thomas Ricker01.04.2011
Samsung's CES household appliance lineup: everything but the kitchen sink
If you thought Samsung would stop at the home theater at CES 2009, you've got another thing coming... from the kitchen. The RFG299 French Door refrigerator not only includes an eco-friendly design, high-rate urethane insulation, LED interior lighting, an EZ-Open handle and 28.5 cubic feet of storage, but it also boasts a 7-inch LCD on the outside. As we make our way down to the laundry room, we find the WF448 front loading washer, which features the firm's VRT technology to reduce noise and vibrations; better still, the included Steam Refresh and Odor Removal settings are perfect for neutralizing those absolutely rotten tees that grow increasingly rank with every passing deathmatch. No prices are mentioned, but they should fit just fine on your wedding registry.%Gallery-40654%
Darren Murph01.07.2009
Washing machine hacked to tweet when the load's done: @maytag, you listening?
We're truthfully not sure what's cooler: the fact that the above pictured washing machine tweets when it's done, or the fact that the above pictured washing machine still works. We're guessing that the geeks in the crowd would argue that it's clearly the former, and for those interested in a little proof / explanation, you can head on past the break for a video demonstration. But just so you know, it's highly unlikely that your Twittering washer will have any diehard followers. [Via technabob]
Darren Murph01.03.2009
Virtually waterless washing machine edges closer to production
You can find a washer just about anywhere that promises to consume less water than most of its rivals, but finding one that's "virtually waterless" is still a chore. Yeah, there was that one contraption from Singapore a few years back, but c'mon, it's no bona fide washing machine. Nevertheless, a University of Leeds spin-out company -- dubbed Xeros -- has already received £500,000 in order to commercialize a device that "uses less than 2% of the water and energy of a conventional washing machine." Instead, it relies on a plethora of plastic chips that are tumbled with the clothes to remove stains. We're not sure how comfortable we really are with the thought of that, but folks that have already warmed to the idea can look for these things to hit the UK market in 2009.[Via MetaEfficient]
Darren Murph06.10.2008
Hello Kitty washing machine won't make your garb any cuter
Scary how long it's been since we've seen any new gadgetry with Her Cuteness splashed all over it, huh? Or maybe the sight of an actual Hello Kitty washing machine is what's really terrifying. Regardless, Sanrio is now marketing a washer sure to be purchased by only the hardest of hardcore fanatics, and while we've nary a clue what kind of features the unit actually possesses, we won't kid ourselves and suggest that it even matters.
Darren Murph04.23.2008
Haier's detergentless WasH20 washing machine
Washing machines that somehow remove the odors and spots from your garments sans the use of water have been around the block a time or two, and while we've heard a mad scientist claim that he discovered soap-free cleaning, it's Haier who's making him look brilliant. The detergentless WasH20 reportedly works by breaking down water molecules into OH- and H+ ions, and while we hardly recall the last chemistry course we took, we suppose we'll believe the claims for now. Apparently, the stains on the linens are "attracted and retained by ions of OH-, while the clothes are sterilized by the H+ ions." Word on the street has this one landing in France soon for around €699 ($957), but don't be surprised if your threads come out of the wash mutated, vaporized, or worst of all, smelling exactly like they did when they went in.[Thanks, Philippe T.]
Darren Murph07.30.2007
The LG iPod dock also washes clothes
We've seen more than our share of both high tech home appliances and docks for MP3 players. However, the marriage of a washing machine with speakers and audio dock, well... that's a new one. Still, that's exactly what LG's patent application for this "Home appliance with MP3 player" is asking for. Of course, we have to question the sanity of integrating audio playback into a device we prefer to tuck away from sight due its excessive noise and mess. However, sanity and USPTO patent applications are seldom synonymous. As such, we'll take it that LG is just hedging their future bets on this one. You know, just in case they need a dubious source of revenue in tough financial times.[Via Unwired View]
Thomas Ricker05.28.2007
Maytag repairman panics as company recalls 250,000 washers
It looks like the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has plenty of hazardous products to keep itself busy with these days, today announcing recalls of a pair of washing machines just a day after they sent out word of some flammable keyboards. The washers in question are Samsung and Maytag front-loading models sold between April 2005 and August 2006, totaling some 270,000 units in all (almost all Maytags -- click on through for the specific model numbers affected). Apparently, they have the nasty habit of leaking water onto the electrical connections inside, potentially causing a short and a fire as a result. While there's been reports of five such incidents so far, none have resulted in injuries or damages beyond the washing machine itself. Those stuck with one of the washers are advised to contact Maytag or Samsung for information on getting a free repair.Read - Maytag recall informationRead - Samsung recall informationRead - CPSC announcement
Donald Melanson03.21.2007
Mitsubishi builds "world's fastest washing machine"
Never ones to shy away from "word's x-est" of anything, we're especially excited to see such claims come to bear on the realms of minutes and hours, instead of millimeters and nanoseconds. Mitsubishi is laying claim to the title of "world's fastest washing machine," and is tossing in the title of "first moving drum washing machine" while it's at it. The "Moving Drum MVW-VD1" washer-dryer can tilt the washing drum based on how many clothes are in it, and which function it's performing. The slant keeps clothes from sticking to the sides, and means the machine can wash 20 pounds of clothes in 35 minutes, and dry 13 pounds in 145 minutes. Unfortunately, as speedy as this thing might be, it still takes longer than the tried and true sniff-and-wear-it method, not that we would know. The machine hits Japan in May, no word yet on an overseas release.[Via Spluch]
Paul Miller03.20.2007
It lives! The post-rinse cycle iPod
What happens when an iPod Nano meets a washing machine? Nothing good. Late last month, a writer over at the Seattlest left her iPod in her bike shorts. Which her husband kindly washed for her. Oops. Since bike clothes aren't thrown in the drier, the Nano was at least spared a tumble-dry on high heat, a small mercy. The battery, however, was drained. After connecting the Nano to a USB power source, she was able to recharge the battery and (yay!) found all her music and playlists still onboard. The buttons were initially a little sluggish, according to her follow-up report, but other than the Menu button they've recovered nicely for her training rides. The moral of this story? Check your pockets after you train and don't wash your iPod. The ending might not be as happy as this one.
Erica Sadun02.09.2007