LG has introduced a new smart fridge at CES 2017 with Amazon’s Alexa Voice Service built-in, joining Samsung in the emerging market of connected refrigerators.
The Smart InstaView fridge from LG, like Samsung’s Family Hub fridge, prominently features a large touchscreen display, with LG’s 29-inch LCD screen edging out the Family Hub’s 21.5-inch display. The ‘InstaView’ name refers to a smart feature that allows users to simply knock the screen twice to look inside the fridge without opening the door.
LG’s webOS smart platform powers the new fridge, allowing for a wide range of Wi-Fi-enabled features to simplify food management, including a new Smart Tag feature that lets users indicate what foods are currently stored and when they expire.
The Smart InstaView can then issue reminders as foods approach their expiration date, while a 2-megapixel panoramic camera with a super-wide lens lets users look inside their fridge from anywhere using their smartphone.
Amazon’s Alexa Voice Service adds over 6,000 additional skills, with the intelligent personal assistant able to search recipes, control other smart home devices, and place orders for products including groceries on Amazon in the US.
“By working with Amazon, we are able to broaden our smart refrigerator’s capabilities and further provide our customers with a pleasurable cooking and dining experience,” said Song Dae-Hyun, president of LG Electronics and Home Appliance & Air Solutions Company.
“For many families, the kitchen is one of the busiest rooms in the house, and a place where they often find their hands tied. Now consumers have even more convenience in their homes, all just by using their voice and Alexa,” said Mike George, vice president, Amazon Alexa.
“In working with an innovative home appliance company like LG, we can truly showcase how much better life can be for consumers everywhere starting with updating one of the most important appliances in the home,” Mr George added.
Availability and pricing for Australia has yet to be determined.
