How to Hold a Conversation with a Kitchen Appliance!

How often have you just wanted to know what was going on with your cooker, oven, washing machine etc.? Well, with the latest development from tech firm LG, you might just be able to. The Oliver Rawlings blog this week welcomes you to the kitchen appliances that talk back!

How often have you wanted to know what’s in the fridge or have you forgotten to set off your washing machine after you’ve just left the house? Well now with LG’s new text chat service you can work your appliances no matter where you are, as it allows you to control them by text!

The LG Text Chat Service

South Korea based international technology firm LG Electronics has recently announced the launch of a text chat service that allows you to control your kitchen appliances no matter where you are.

It works like this. Say you’re on your way home from work and you’re not sure whether you’ve got any milk in. You think you might need to go pick some up from the corner shop, but if you’ve already got some in you don’t want to buy more. With this service all you need to do is text and ask, and your fridge will let you know.

It’s a really new service and at the moment it’s only available in South Korea, but LG are planning to expand to other markets, such as the US, in the future. They’ll need to get on it, as rival tech company Samsung has already released similar air conditioner, fridge and washer smart-aware appliances with its Smart Home Service.

A Niche Market

Whilst I personally believe that this technology could one may be the future, experts have suggested that in the short term, it may only appeal to a niche market. The BBC spoke to principal technology analyst at the Davies Murphy Group consultancy, Chris Green on the matter and this was the opinion he expressed.

Specifically, Green said that "I'm sure 10 years from now we will want more smart-aware appliances, but for now this represents a live beta-test," and that "it's the equivalent of Ford building a concept car. It's about showing what can be done and seeing if there's an appetite for it."

Oliver Rawlings readers, this technology is only in its infancy, but the potential is enormous. One day we could all be setting our washing machines off or checking our fridges by text whilst enduring that oh so long commute back home!