RWRetailWire
Back to Discussions
DISCUSSION

Is Samsung's fridge $5,799 worth of smart?

Written by Tom Ryan
After gaining much hype at the CES show, the Samsung Family Hub Refrigerator last week became available to the public. The company promises that the device will make the kitchen more of "a focal point for family members, enhancing their lives with family connections, food management and entertainment experiences like never before." A 21.5-inch LCD touchscreen that seamlessly connects to every household member's smartphone serves as the refrigerator's "digital command center." One "wow" feature of the fridge the ability to view what's inside while at a grocer to help remember what you need to buy. That's made possible by three tiny cameras positioned inside the refrigerator that capture an image each time the doors close. Consumers can also use the screen or their linked smartphone to drag and drop expiration dates onto images of items inside the fridge to provide reminders on using products. Family members can also compile and track shopping lists that sync between fridge and smartphone. At home, they can use an app to scan barcodes when adding products to the list. A Groceries by MasterCard app enables users to order online from retailers like Fresh Direct and ShopRite through a single-click checkout. The Groceries shopping cart learns a family's shopping habits and makes personalized suggestions on items and brands. Instacart can also be used for grocery delivery. In the "enriches family life" department, the Family Hub screen enables households to share schedules, photos and artwork. Consumers can the internet to check news or weather, find recipes and related how-to-videos, and tap for other information. Finally, from an "entertainment" perspective, favorite television shows can be mirrored from Samsung Smart TVs onto the refrigerator's digital screen. Favorite songs and talk radio programs can be streamed through apps such as Pandora, making use of the device's built-in speakers. External Bluetooth wireless speaker technology can extend sounds to other parts of the home. With advanced refrigeration technologies, The Family Hub fridge starts at $5,799.

Discussion Thread0