We have been seeing refrigerators with display built into the doors but this week, Samsung took it to next level with latest edition Family Hub 2.0 refrigerators that come with 21.5-inch LED touchscreen. Announced at CES 2017 in Las Vegas, Family Hub 2 is built upon Family Hub 1. There will be 10 different models with improved application integration and diverse new application partners. Family Hub 2.0 will be available across a full range of Samsung’s popular 3-Door and 4-Door French Door models as well as the existing 4-Door Flex lineup, allowing consumers to choose the refrigerator that best matches their household needs.
“After just one year of availability, the Family Hub has transformed the concept of the connected kitchen by enabling users to order and manage grocery shopping, connect with family and friends, and access entertainment right from the comfort of their kitchen,” said Byung-Sam Seo, President of Home Appliances at Samsung Electronics. “Taking flexibility and functionality to a whole new level, the Family Hub 2.0 is entirely about helping consumers better manage as well as enjoy their lives.”
Family Hub 2.0 comes with internal cameras that scan food allowing users to determine which food items need to be replenished first. Such is the level of integration that the refrigerator can add these to shopping list and may even allow you to order the Groceries using MasterCard application. Another feature is the Recipe application (powered by AllRecipes) that will readout recipes and show enlarged text so that its easier to follow recipe while cooking.
The 21.5″ LED touchscreen display can serve as a computer, as a bulletin board, share photos, scheduler, allow hand written memos (real-time) etc. Samsung has also added advanced voice technology into Family Hub 2.0 so that users can talk to these to get weather info, time info, add products to shopping lists, order graocies online, manage to-do lists etc.
Family Hub 2.0 can play new content from popular news channels like NPR (USA), Kakao (Korea), Morning Brief (Europe). Other applications include Grubhub, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Ring, Nomiku, Glympse etc. E-commerce shopping capabilities are enabled using EATALY and LiDL.
Samsung Brings Innovation to the Built-in Appliance Category
Signaling the company’s commitment to investing in categories in which its expertise and innovation can enrich and empower the lives of consumers, Samsung also introduced its new smart built-in cooking line at CES 2017. The new product line includes various models of Built-in Double and Single Wall Ovens, Built-in Gas Cooktops, Built-in Induction Cooktops, Built-in Electric Cooktops, and Built-in Range Hoods, all of which seamlessly merge into any new kitchen design or remodel.
The Built-in Double Wall Oven incorporates Samsung’s popular Flex Duo™ technology, enabling three distinct oven spaces that can be individually controlled with the Samsung Smart Divider. The Built-in Ovens also utilize SteamBake and SteamRoast functions for better control of taste and texture, and the new Built-in Cooktops feature some of the most powerful burners and customizable configurations on the market. The Built-in Cooktops’ new Magnetic Knob feature and Virtual Flame Technology™ also deliver precise cooking control and simplicity when it comes to cleaning. All a user needs to do is remove the knob and wipe down the surface – overcoming the tedious, and time-consuming painpoint of having to scrub away to remove grime on cooktops.
All of Samsung’s built-in appliances are smart and equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity, so users can remotely start, control and turn off their ovens, as well as monitor their cooktop and range hood from their smartphone. Finally, Bluetooth connectivity syncs the cooktop with Samsung’s range hood to automatically start the hood’s fans or lights when using the cooktop.
