Gottfried, to go along with that fancy toaster of yours, how about a refrigerator that connects to the internet, has a video phone and a TV screen. All for the low, low price of 9.9 million Won. <gg> Jeff
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KOREA TIMES: LGE INTRODUCES WORLD'S FIRST INTERNET-READY DIGITAL REFRIGERATOR[QQ]
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KOREA TIMES: LGE INTRODUCES WORLD'S FIRST INTERNET-READY DIGITAL REFRIGERATOR[QQ]
93% match; Korea Times ; 21-Jun-2000 12:00:00 am ; 371 words
LG Electronics yesterday unveiled the world's first Internet-ready digital refrigerator, signaling the advent of a full-fledged Web-based home automation market here.
The 730-liter fridge, titled ``Internet Digital DIOS,'' not only supports Internet connection but also other glitzy features such as a video phone and online shopping.
''The Internet digital refrigerator is designed for home networking, where the traditional white goods and info-tech appliances are put together,'' an LG Electronics spokesman said.
''From now on, refrigerators will play the role of a info, communications and entertainment tool for family members, rather than simple food storage,'' he said.
He said 55 engineers had joined the first ever commercialization project of the Internet fridge over the past three years and the company had poured 15 billion won into research and development.
In the process, LG filed 75 patent applications both at home and abroad, which will have an impact on the emerging home automation market propelled by the Internet.
The product is armed with a 15.1-inch TFT-LCD (thin film transistor- liquid crystal display) screen and LAN (local area network) port, allowing Internet shopping and interactive communications with family members.
LG stressed the fridge also supports video telephony and a Web camera, through which people can take photos and send video-based messages, as well as exchanging e-mails and watching TV. LG joined forces with other Internet service providers to equip the fridge with cyber content such as real-time stock quotations and price indexes of vegetables.
The company adopted a highly simplified graphic user interface so that housewives, most of whom are yet to get accustomed to the Internet and its unique features, feel comfortable with Web surfing through the high-tech refrigerator.
Other features include a music box, touch screen, short message writing with an electronic pen, voice messaging and schedule programs.
Meantime, the model shows specific information about the food stored inside, displaying the expiration date, nutritional facts, cooking recipes and other sundry tips.
The maintenance service also goes online with the digital fridge. The company offers a one-year free maintenance service and users can report problems to technicians directly through the Internet network.
At the same time, LG Electronics has said it plans to open a new portal site (www.dreamlg.com) to provide information related to women and kitchen in line with the Internet refrigerator.
LG has said it will introduce an upgraded digital network for the new refrigerator by adopting automated supply of foods and vegetables via the embedded network and barcodes in the near future.
The model is priced at 9,900,000 won.
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