Are Americans ready for an Internet refrigerator?
Are the world's biggest consumers willing to shell out US$8,000 for a device that keeps beer cold and lets them download music, recipes and e-mail?
South Korean electronics giant LG thinks so, and is rolling out its Internet refrigerator in the US market this month after introductions in South Korea, Mexico and Britain.
The move into the US market is part of a strategy by LG to introduce a line of upscale appliances, that will eventually include an Internet washing machine, air conditioner and microwave oven, all of which can be part of a home network for an electronically controlled home.
The notion of an Internet refrigerator has been around for some time, and LG first started selling its device to South Koreans in 2000.
But many appliance makers have felt consumers were not quite ready for a cyberspace cooling device that, in theory could keep track of one's food and order milk and eggs from an online store when supplies were low.
LG officials say their research shows the refrigerator is a good place to have an Internet connection because it is the gathering point of the home for many families.
"This is going to be the hub of your home, 24 hours a day, the first place to go in the morning, the last place at night," said Daniel Lee, the US marketing and communications director for LG Appliances.
"We've got a tremendous amount of interest from the consumer, press and industry, because we are the first to market. This is going to be the cornerstone of our appliance lineup in the US."
LG sees a future in "smart" appliances, such as washing machines that can use the Internet to determine the ideal water temperature and detergent, and air conditioners that can be programmed from any computer connected to the Web.
The 160kg titanium-finish LG "multimedia refrigerator" includes a 38cm monitor that allows its owners to watch television, play music and download MP3 music files from the Internet, through a modem or high-speed Internet connection.
It also has a built-in digital camera that can take pictures and instantly e-mail them, the capacity to leave video messages for family members, and an electronic calendar to keep track of birthdays, anniversaries and after-school activities.
Oh, there's also a refrigerator.
As far as "food management, LG officials say the Web fridge can eventually use a bar code reader that will keep track of what's inside and when it needs to be replaced.
NATIONAL SECURITY: The Chinese influencer shared multiple videos on social media in which she claimed Taiwan is a part of China and supported its annexation Freedom of speech does not allow comments by Chinese residents in Taiwan that compromise national security or social stability, the nation’s top officials said yesterday, after the National Immigration Agency (NIA) revoked the residency permit of a Chinese influencer who published videos advocating China annexing Taiwan by force. Taiwan welcomes all foreigners to settle here and make families so long as they “love the land and people of Taiwan,” Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) told lawmakers during a plenary session at the Legislative Yuan in Taipei. The public power of the government must be asserted when necessary and the Ministry of
Proposed amendments would forbid the use of all personal electronic devices during school hours in high schools and below, starting from the next school year in August, the Ministry of Education said on Monday. The Regulations on the Use of Mobile Devices at Educational Facilities up to High Schools (高級中等以下學校校園行動載具使用原則) state that mobile devices — defined as mobile phones, laptops, tablets, smartwatches or other wearables — should be turned off at school. The changes would stipulate that use of such devices during class is forbidden, and the devices should be handed to a teacher or the school for safekeeping. The amendments also say
CONSISTENT COMMITMENT: The American Institute in Taiwan director said that the US would expand investment and trade relationships to make both nations more prosperous The US would not abandon its commitment to Taiwan, and would make Taiwan safer, stronger and more prosperous, American Institute in Taiwan Director Raymond Greene said. “The US’ commitment to Taiwan has been consistent over many administrations and over many years, and we will not abandon our commitment to Taiwan, including our opposition to any attempt to use force or coercion to change Taiwan’s status,” he said in an exclusive interview with the Liberty Times (the sister newspaper of the Taipei Times) on Friday last week, which was published in the Chinese-language newspaper yesterday. The US would double down on its efforts
SECURITY: President William Lai has announced plans to restore the military court system that was disbanded in 2013 to address a surge in Chinese infiltration efforts Taiwan plans to reinstate military judges to hear Chinese espionage cases and other offenses involving Taiwanese service members, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday. There would be a review and legal amendments “to reinstate the military trial system,” he told reporters after a national security meeting. “Military judges will return to the front line,” Lai said. Military judges would work “alongside prosecutorial and judicial agencies to handle criminal cases involving active-duty military personnel accused of treason, aiding the enemy, leaking classified information, dereliction of duty, insubordination and other military offenses,” he said. The number of people prosecuted for spying for Beijing has risen sharply,
RSS