LG Electronics has incorporated the webOS operating system technology it acquired from HP in its latest refrigerator, which will be unveiled at CES 2017.
This marks LG's first attempt to try out webOS on its kitchen appliances. The firm has rolled out TVs that run webOS, Linux kernel-based multitask operating system for smart devices like TVs and smartwatches, back in 2014.
LG's archrival Samsung Electronics has also opted for Tizen in its own "smart" fridge.
Electronics firms are trying to make their devices run their own OS in order to make them easier part of the so-called connected home, collect usage patterns of their customers and use this information in order to develop future products.
In the meantime, Samsung has introduced its FlexWash + FlexDry laundry system, set to be unveiled at CES 2017 in Las Vegas. This laundry pair was designed to offer two washers and two dryers in one system.
The FlexWash front-loader is equipped with five cubic feet of capacity to handle normal or bulky loads. Meanwhile, the FlexWash top-loader adds another cubic foot of capacity and is built to wash smaller loads separately from the main load. To power through big laundry loads, users can operate both washers at the same time with different settings.
To dry fabrics, FlexDry has the ability to tackle large laundry loads with the added flexibility to dry a few delicate items at the same time. Users can lay clothes flat in the Delicate Rack zone at the top of the dryer and gently dry delicates with a controlled, heated air flow. The special zone adjusts the heat between room temperature and 95 degrees Fahrenheit automatically depending on the type of fabric being dried. The main dryer compartment also uses Samsung?s MultiSteam technology to freshen and disinfect clothes while reducing odors and wrinkles.
The new washer uses three Samsung laundry technologies: SuperSpeed, PowerFoam, and Vibration Reduction Technology (VRT). SuperSpeed shortens wash cycles to as little as 30 minutes from the usual 60 minutes, while PowerFoam technology uses a mixture of water, air and detergent to deep clean event the bulkiest items with the power of foam. VRT is engineered to minimize vibration and keep the noise level down.
For ease of use, the FlexWash washer does not require two separate water lines, eliminating the need to hire a professional to install. Additionally, a transparent glass on the top-load compartments makes it simple to check on laundry cycles at a glance.
Finally, FlexWash + FlexDry are IoT-enabled, backed by smart features that will allow users to control the machines with their smartphones, using the Samsung Smart Home app. They will be able to start, stop, and monitor every cycle for both machines.
