Some Smart Appliances Disconnect

Just bought a major appliance in this list. At first the idea of it being 'smart' attracted me, but I did think about having a major need depending on an external complex resource.    Despite my background, decided not.   Now am exploring the domain further.

LG, Whirlpool Target Customers Disconnected from 'Smart' Appliances   By The Wall Street Journal, January 25, 2023    in ACM

Using the LG ThinQapp, customers can connect their LG smart appliances to their Amazon accounts for automatic reordering and delivery of supplies such as dishwasher soap, laundry detergent, or fabric softener.

Appliance manufacturers LG Electronics and Whirlpool are trying to entice customers whose "smart" appliances are not connected to the Internet to embrace the technology.

The manufacturers' continued development of smart devices hinges on consumers keeping them connected to the Internet via Wi-Fi.

Connected appliances provide manufacturers with data and insights about how customers use their products.

Henry Kim at LG platform ThinQ said the company is striving to better inform consumers on the sales floor about connectivity's perks; it also is working with delivery agents to ensure they connect appliances during installation.

Whirlpool's Murat Genc said the firm is exploring "self-healing" capabilities so appliances can automatically reconnect to the Internet in the event of Wi-Fi outrages.

From The Wall Street Journal

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SmartThinQ Sensor from LG

How do you connect older home appliance devices to new networks?  I was pointed to LG's SmartThinQ sensor.  This was mentioned this past September in CNet:  

" ..... LG's new SmartThingQ sensor smartens up your old appliances ... Ever wanted a device that can notify you when your laundry load is done or when food in the fridge is about to spoil? LG's SmartThingQ claims to be able to do that and more. ... LG has already said it'll show off a new tablet at this week's IFA convention in Berlin. But that's far from the only gadget up the company's sleeve, as on Monday the South Korean electronics giant announced its new SmartThinQ Sensor. ... The sensor attaches to compatible home appliances to make them "smart-aware," feeding information to the user through a corresponding SmartThinQ app. ... " 

LG Announces Smart Home Hub

Looks like an Echo cylinder with a small screen and speaker.  But is not voice activated. AI / Cognitive?  In the past have been impressed by LG's experiments with smart appliances, we used and tested several in innovation settings.  before they could be networked.  Note the use of the Alljoyn system,  which has been mentioned for inclusion in Windows 10.   More next week at CES.

In the Verge: 
" .... The hub, announced today ahead of a demonstration at CES next week, is visually similar to Amazon's Echo, and like that device, features a large built-in speaker that can stream music. But where the Echo is only gradually moving from cool curio to useful gadget, LG is pitching the SmartThinQ as the "gateway" to your automated home, connecting to smart refrigerators, washing machines, and air conditioners, and displaying their information on a 3.5-inch color LCD display. ...  The hub uses the open AllJoyn "internet of things" platform, connecting to other appliances — both smart and conventional — via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or Zigbee ....  " 

LG Thinq Automates Home Tasks

One of the things we actively looked at in the innovation centers was how changes in home appliances could alter the use of enabling products such as detergents.  While it was interesting to think about broad robotic solutions,  a more likely short range solution would look at the transitions between home appliances, and how knowledge about product needs could be leveraged.  The Korean company LG is known for advanced concept work in this area.  Here are some new examples from the recent CES show.  Interoperability and Smartphone App operation are now often included.  Unfortunately, though advanced, these all appear to be at the concept stage only.  Includes video.