By Donna Heiderstadt
There’s been a lot of buzz over the past several years about smart technology and how innovative home appliances can enhance the functionality, efficiency, and aesthetics of kitchen and bath spaces. As we celebrate Kitchen & Bath Month throughout October, we wanted to explore how the integration of smart technology in appliances contributes to a connected and seamless living experience for consumers, so we checked in with two leading brands — GE Appliances and Signature Kitchen Suite/LG — about their most popular smart appliances, as well as innovative products soon to debut.
GE Appliance Smart Home Solutions
“Technology has transformed our use of appliances, redefining their role in daily life and unlocking new connected possibilities,” says Subu Ramasamy, Senior Director of Product Marketing for SmartHome Solutions at GE Appliances. He notes that with Wi-Fi technology built into GE Appliance products, users can access functions like remote pre-heat and temperature and cook-time alerts, as well as monitor cycle completions on laundry and dishwashers.
According to Ramasamy, GE also aims to ease life at home and remove the guesswork through connected features like Guided Cooking capabilities that are available in many of its products. This combines guided recipes from chefs with precision cooktop sensor technology to automatically adjust the time, temperature and cooking pace for perfect results every time.
Additionally, he says that the company’s connected appliances continue to maximize the efficiency and convenience of everyday tasks by pushing new features via software updates — so appliances get better over time. “In recent years, our engineers have developed software updates such as Air Fry Mode, Steakhouse Mode, Turkey Mode and Pet Hair Mode to improve appliances already in our consumers’ homes,” he notes.
Connected home appliances also allow for integration within the smart home ecosystem, he says, by syncing up with GE partners like Instacart, Kroger and Sonos that seamlessly fit into day-to-day life while enabling a more personalized experience.
Among GE’s top innovations are:
• The GE Profile™ Smart Indoor Smoker, which brings the taste of the great outdoors indoors with the first and only indoor smoker that uses Active Smoke Filtration technology to turn real-wood smoke into warm air packed with flavor. “With innovative technology and countertop convenience, smoked food no longer requires a backyard or nice weather,” says Ramasamy. Beyond its high functionality, the smoker also has a sleek, compact design, yet it can accommodate everything from ribs to a 14-pound pork butt.
• The GE Profile™ Smart Mixer with Auto Sense, designed with intuitive functionality to help users focus on the joy of baking. The mixer incorporates Auto Sense Technology that monitors changes in texture and viscosity through motor torque feedback to optimize mixing performance, eliminating the risk of overmixing or undermixing. An automatic shut-off feature turns the mixer off when completion is reached. Users can also connect to Alexa or Google Home and use voice commands to control the mixer, set timers, and adjust speeds, allowing hands-free operation and enabling multitasking.
• The GE Profile™ UltraFast Combo with Ventless Heat Pump Technology, a combination washer and dryer, harnesses technology to save time, space, and energy and remove the dreaded chore of transferring the load. The latest iteration features a new simplified design and streamlined features to further meet consumers’ needs.
• The GE Profile Front Load 955 Series, which uses innovative technology to help owners customize each wash — including Adaptive SmartDispense, AI-powered wash and dry technology — and incorporates Laundry Assistant, a conversational AI experience available through the SmartHQ app with voice or text. Powered by Google Cloud’s generative AI, connected laundry owners will be able to ask questions about proper clothing care, from stain removal tips to guidance on hard-to-wash fabrics to washer use and care recommendations.
• Later this year, GE will roll out Cookcam™ AI in select wall ovens with in-oven cameras. This innovative feature uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to detect and identify the food once it’s placed in the oven. In a matter of seconds, Cookcam AI recognizes the food and recommends the most suitable Precision Cooking Mode, ensuring optimal results.
Signature Kitchen Suite (SKS) and LG-One
“Signature Kitchen Suite is at the forefront of integrating smart technology in kitchens through innovative product designs that prioritize both functionality and aesthetics,” says Grace Hong, Senior Account Manager for LG-One.
Hong stressed the value of enhanced connectivity, as smart appliances connect to apps, allowing users to control and monitor their kitchen activities remotely. “The LG ThinQ® app facilitates interaction with SKS appliances, providing recipe suggestions and enabling real-time monitoring of cooking processes,” she says. The ThinQ UP® platform also integrates additional functionalities, such as advanced diagnostics and personalized cooking recommendations based on user habits. The app also gives consumers the ability to monitor and adjust settings remotely which ensures their appliances operate at peak efficiency.
Among SKS/LG’s latest innovations are:
• The new Transitional Series wall ovens feature integrated Gourmet AI™ technology that can automatically identify ingredients and suggest recipes, enhancing the cooking experience. Additionally, these ovens allow real-time viewing through a high-definition camera, enabling users to monitor their meals from their smartphones via the LG ThinQ® app. The also offer multiple cooking functions, such as baking, roasting, steam cooking, and air frying, effectively eliminating the need for multiple countertop appliances. The Transitional Series, with its Satin Stainless Steel finish and sleek handles, caters to the increasing consumer preference for transitional and contemporary kitchen designs, says Hong. “This thoughtful design ensures that while smart technology elevates functionality, the appliances also contribute to a refined and modern kitchen environment,” she notes.
• The 48-inch Built-In French Door Refrigerator allows homeowners to customize temperature zones and storage options, offering tailored solutions that meet individual needs and preferences. The refrigerator is Wi-Fi-enabled with the SmartThinQ app and all SKS appliances are panel-ready for homeowners to seamlessly tie in our appliances to their kitchen aesthetic.
