Costco ad 03/01/2021 - 03/31/2021 - NO LONGER VALID - page 22 *

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LG launched the world’s first internet-connected refrigerator in June 2000, called the Internet Digital DIOS. TECH CONNECTION b y M A R C SA LT Z M A N W Control and convenience Smart appliances are designed to make your life easier, and that includes the ability to control and monitor them from anywhere in the home. For example, while watching television comfortably on the sofa, simply tap an app on your phone or tablet to preheat the oven for dinner. Or, while getting the kids dressed for school, ask your nearby smart speaker how much time is left on the dryer. And you might get a notification on your smartphone or smartwatch that the dishwasher cycle is completed. You get the idea. While this sounds like science fiction, it’s available now. Whirlpool, for example, has a few ranges that let you use your mobile device to send multiple cooking instructions to the oven all at once. Plus, some have a touch screen that learns, adapts and suggests customized presets based on your family’s routines. Smart servicing, too! Some appliances send helpful alerts to your mobile device to let you know if there’s an issue that may affect performance, followed by Wi-Fi wonders Appliances add hightech features to make life easier in every room of your home © FRANCOIS POIRIER / STOCK.ADOBE.COM Energy efficiency Because you can automate tasks— such as what time of the day you want the washing machine to run—you can schedule them for off-peak hours, for instance, when electricity is less expensive (though these newer appliances are very energy-efficient). Speaking of saving energy, LG’s InstaView appliances, such as some of its refrigerators and range ovens, let you knock twice on the glass to see inside, which eliminates the need to open the door and let out cool (or hot) air. And Samsung has a series of innovative Family Hub–branded refrigerators that work with an app to let you see inside your fridge (via a camera) when you’re, say, at a Costco warehouse and you can’t remember if you need milk, eggs or cheese. In addition, a large LED touch screen on the fridge can serve as a digital corkboard, recipe book, photo album, music player and more. step-by-step instructions (and how-to videos) to guide you through quick fixes. If it needs professional attention, a connected appliance can often “talk” to its company over the internet to assess the issue, without the need to pay for a technician to come and diagnose it. Now that’s smart.—MS SEVAG SAGHERIAN hen it comes to smart home devices, you probably think of Wi-Fi thermostats, video doorbells, smart lights, water sensors and robotic vacuum cleaners. These are all popular products indeed, as they’re affordable, easy to install and you can control them with an app on your phone or tablet (or your voice through a smart speaker). But you might not know larger appliances have also gone high-tech, in both the kitchen and laundry room, adding several connected conveniences. As long as you have Wi-Fi at home and one of these connected appliances, you can take advantage of the following benefits, though keep in mind that not all models offer the same features. Marc Saltzman is a leading high-tech reporter and author. He’s on Twitter @marc_saltzman. Saltzman will answer selected questions in this column. He regrets that unpublished questions cannot be answered individually. Email [email protected] Please include “Tech Connection” in the subject line. COSTCO CONNECTION Costco.com carries a range of smart appliances, from big kitchen appliances to washers and dryers. For a look at other smart home devices, see “Home smart home” on page 57. MARCH 2021 Costco Connection 19 USp19_Tech Conn Smart Appliances_LW_R1.indd 19 2/12/21 8:15 AM

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