Do We Really Want Internet Connected Refrigerators?
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Appliance makers are all worked up about designing internet connected appliances that can communicate together with other appliances. But the real question is, does the consumer really care about this convergence?
I have to tell you, and I am pretty tech savvy and into the internet, I could care less if my fridge had wi-fi… To be honest, I probably would prefer it not have it.
- Imagine the security risks, a rogue virus created by Kroger all of a sudden adds 5 gallons of milk and 10 tins of expensive caviar to the shopping list?
- Or one day it takes a look at my wonderful physique and decides that only salad can be bought? Or that if “I” touch the chocolate ice cream I get an electronic shock?
No thank you. If all these wonderful marketing execs at the appliance companies put the effort into making an ice cube maker that did not break after 3 years or a compressor that ran as well as they did 30 years ago, I would be much happier.
Leave the internet on the computers and the phones, we will be fine, I promise you.
The technology already exists to enable many home electronic devices, including kitchen appliances, to communicate over a wireless network, said Alon Ironi, the chief executive of Siano, an Israeli company that makes video receivers for devices like digital picture frames. The problem, Mr. Ironi said, is that most devices are unable to communicate with other manufacturers’ products because of different technological standards. via NYTimes.com.
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Comment by Amy Webb on 25 August 2008:
Ha Ha…my fear is that if I open the fridge one time too many, the “system” will penalize me by downing my wi-fi! No Internet for you…put down that mouse and get out there and exersize!
Comment by Steve Leung on 25 August 2008:
It’ll be a great day when the biggest problem a family has is not being alerted when they’re running out of milk!
Television seems like a potential driver since consumers want to be able to get any content any time, conveniently. And Internet media companies will figure out partnerships to push their content to those devices.
But what’s the added value to a household from appliance networking?
Maybe (and this is a big maybe) measuring power consumption and balancing it to keep it under a certain threshold, especially in tiered pricing areas. Electricity, water and sometimes phone calls are the only things we use when we don’t know how much it costs.
But I really don’t want to have to get anti-virus software for my dishwasher.