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