According to legend, while Scotland’s Robert the Bruce was on the run he hid in a cave and observed a spider repeatedly trying and failing to spin its web from one area to another. Although it’s unlikely that electronics giant LG has been studying Scottish lore, the “if at first you don’t succeed, try try again” maxim has evidently been embraced with the announcement of the upcoming release of the company’s latest connected fridge. More than a decade has passed since its Internet Fridge first broke cover to a somewhat cool reception. Now LG believes that the world – and technology – is ready to welcome the Smart Refrigerator.
LG had high hopes that its original Internet Refrigerator – with a 15.1-inch touchscreen display, entertainment hub possibilities and food management capabilities – would herald the dawn of connected domestic appliances. Sadly it didn’t sell well, probably due to its very high cost, the relatively low spec in-built computer system and sluggish dial-up connection.
No doubt prompted by the recent appearance of similar solutions from Samsung and Electrolux, LG has decided to give it another shot. The company has announced plans to launch a range of THINQ-enabled domestic appliances by the end of the year, which will allow users to remotely manage their refrigerators, washing machines, ovens and robotic vacuum cleaners.
The fridge goes online (again)…
The first of the Smart range will launch in Korea shortly and is a much updated version of our old friend, the Internet Fridge. The new Smart Refrigerator will allow users to receive inventory updates from the Smart Manager application while out shopping with smartphones or tablets.
