Smart refrigerators are next-generation appliances that take your usual cooling system to the next level. These sophisticated household staples include a touchscreen interface connected to the Internet, giving it a variety of extra functionalities. Some even have internal cameras, flexible user controls, and other features that let you interact with it via your smartphone or tablet. Newer models can even communicate with other smart devices in your house, including speakers, smart TVs, and smart dishwashers or microwaves.
They can even make your grocery list!
While specific functions vary per brand and per model, here’s a rundown of some of the many things you didn’t realize a refrigerator could do. Keep in mind that not all smart refrigerators are created equal, but these features are some of the most common.
Touchscreen Interface
- Make sure that everyone’s schedules are in sync with the rest of the family’s.
- While you’re cooking, look up recipes and have your refrigerator read the directions to you.
- Set expiry dates and get reminders to eat your food while it’s still fresh.
- Make grocery lists that sync with your smartphone in real-time.
- Leave messages for your family using its “whiteboard.”
- Display images and photos you’ve uploaded.
- Send unique messages and to-do lists to each family member
- Take a look inside your refrigerator without opening the door.
- Cast from a smart TV in another room to watch from the kitchen.
A smart fridge’s touchscreen isn’t its only unique feature. These appliances come equipped with capabilities you can utilize even when you’re not at home.
- View the inside through cameras to double-check if you’re out of milk or eggs.
- Set the temperature for each drawer or compartment separately.
- Use your smartphone to turn the ice machine on or off.
- Receive notifications from the system when the water filter has to be replaced.
Some smart refrigerators offer both cold and hot water, too. Simply choose your preferred temperature and the amount of water you need, and your smart fridge can tell you when the water is ready through your smartphone. A Keurig single-cup coffee machine is incorporated into a handful of them, helping you save counter space and simplify your morning ritual.
Sensors have also been included in smart refrigerators to help you open the door even with your hands full. They respond to minor bumps or small motions by automatically opening the door for you, so restocking becomes super convenient. If the door isn't firmly closed, the sensors react by automatically closing it to keep your food fresh, and preventing cold air from escaping and minimizing the risk of growing energy costs.
While it may seem more costly, choosing a smart refrigerator over a non-smart one with a bottom-drawer freezer or a french-door design often vary little in price—some as little as a couple of hundred pesos. It’s entirely dependent on the model and brand you select, but it’s worth looking at the investment if you’re going for comfort and style!
If you’re on the market to make the next upgrade in your kitchen, don’t forget to maximize the use of your smart refrigerator by subscribing to the fastest broadband in the country to help you get the most bang for your buck!