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The Future is Now: Connected Appliances

By Tim Jacobsen (from Cool Material) on August 24, 2011

We're more than a decade into the 21st century, and while it's not all flying cars and wristwatch communicators, we have some pretty impressive technology in our lives. Over the next decade life is going to get closer to the automated and connected future that only sci-fi writers have dreamed of--and it's thanks to technology and concepts that exist today. In fact, some of it is already seeping into homes, while some products still cost a bit too much to make it into the mainstream. Either way, the future is now thanks to innovations in web ready appliances.

WiFi Body Scale
A ton of apps exist that help you monitor your fitness, but the WiFi Body Scale makes the entire process mindless. You don't have to record your weight because it does that for you every time you step on. The scale sends the data to the web and charts your weight, fat mass and BMI over time. You can choose to keep the data private or post it to Facebook and Twitter to get encouragement from your friends. Of course you wouldn't expect anything less from a scale that rivals Apple when it comes to sleek design.

LG Smart Fridge
The LG Smart Fridge replaces the need for recipe cards and shopping lists, making your kitchen completely paperless. As you place food in the fridge it keeps track of what you have and when it expires and makes recipe suggestions accordingly. This inventory system connects to a phone app so you can see what's in the fridge at any time. So not only will you avoid leaving the fridge open while you decide what to eat, you'll never accidentally buy too much milk again.

Jura F90 Coffee Maker
When your $30 Mr. Coffee is on the fritz, you probably just replace it. But when your $2,000 Jura F90 coffee maker isn't working you can connect it to the internet to get a remote diagnostic. You can also control the temperature and strength your coffee remotely. Unfortunately so can hackers. The connected coffee machine has a security hole that leaves your coffee maker and PC vulnerable to attacks. It's not a big issue now since there aren't a lot of internet coffee makers on the market at the moment, but it's obviously something that companies need to address as more appliances become web capable.

Corning Glass Web Mirror
As a glass manufacturer, Corning Incorporated has a pretty clear vision of the future when it comes to web connected household products. They've shown off some pretty neat concepts, such as a touchscreen mirror that connects to the web to display news and instant messages. There's no official release date or working demos yet, but according to Corning, we'll be seeing this stuff very soon.

Internet Washing Machine
Since you could always just set a timer to avoid soggy clothes, internet capable washing machines need to do more than just text you when your laundry is done to justify the cost. But what if they could save you money on electricity and help you get out stubborn stains? LG has created washers and dryers that connect with smart meter to determine the cheapest times to run your laundry. They also download wash cycles optimized for specific types of stains.

Twittering Office Chair
Some people share way too much on Twitter, but few take it to the level that Randy Sarafan has. Armed with a natural gas sensor and a dream he's created the world's first tweeting office chair that lets everyone know when he passes gas. If you're wondering whether or not tweeting chairs will become common household items, you shouldn't hold your breath (unless you're in proximity of Sarafan's chair). But the DIY project does demonstrate how easy it is to make ordinary objects connect to the internet.

TMIO Intelligent Oven
LG also has a "smart oven" but they've been hogging a lot of the spotlight so far. Besides, the TMIO Intelligent Oven might be even cooler... because it doubles as a fridge. The TMIO oven keeps your food refrigerated until you're ready to cook it. You can use your phone to tell it when to stop cooling and start cooking so dinner will be ready when you walk in the door.

Online Coat Rack
It seems like every internet capable device boasts weather reports as a major feature, but why does your fridge need to tell you that it's raining? The Online Coat Rack concept by Blair Ross makes a lot more sense. You can check the forecast and temperature on your way out the door and decide whether or not you need to bundle up.

Internet Scan Toaster
A toaster that scorches an image onto bread isn't a new concept, but the Scan Toaster is the first one to pull images from the web. Rather than getting the news or weather from your phone, computer or television in the morning, you can get it from your toast. The Scan Toaster "prints" pixels of toast, using various degrees of heat to create light and dark values. Unfortunately this concept by Electrolux never made it out of the design phase, but the technology is theoretically doable.

Twitwee Clock
No one really needs a clock that connects to the internet--pretty much every internet device we own has one built-in. However there's something charming about this old fashioned cuckoo clock with a modern twist. Designed by Haroon Baig, the Twitwee Clock houses a little blue bird that pops out to let you know when someone mentions you in a tweet.

Internet Microwave
If you do most of your cooking with a microwave, then you probably won't get much use out of a web ready oven, but you might find LG's Internet Microwave appealing. Although it doesn't do much beyond download recipes--which you probably won't need since you're using a microwave. But that's not even the really ironic part. Microwaves sometimes interfere with wireless internet connections, so theoretically an internet microwave could potentially cancel itself out. Although LG probably thought of that... hopefully.

Livestream OnAir Camera
New cameras make it easy to post videos and photos to directly to Facebook, Flickr and YouTube, so a camera that livestreams seems like the logical next step. The livestreaming OnAir Camera concept by Jung Hoon Lee features two lenses, allowing the user to record what's in front of them and overlay their face simultaneously.

What appliances would you like to see connect to the internet? Tell us in the comments.

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Cool Material, is a hobby-turned-profession for online publisher, Tim Jacobsen. After starting a top 300 Internet retailer and holding a couple of SVP positions, his passion for social media, online marketing, and entrepreneurship drove him to branch out on his own. Started in 2008, the men's lifestyle blog covers everything from entertainment and technology, to art and style. Cool Material reaches out to over 600,000 readers each month, but the site's hip, of-the-moment content and honest reviews continues to grow that number daily. Outside of his Internet world, Tim enjoys bicycling, poker, and traveling with his family.

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