Samsung Electronics introduced the Family Hub platform for connected kitchens a year ago at CES 2016, and now the company is preparing for a new step in this direction with the announcement of Family Hub 2.0 at CES 2017. “Building upon Family Hub 1.0” the improved platform will be integrated with ten refrigerator models up from the initial four, and Samsung also promises enhanced usability through improved app integration “and diverse new app partners”. In addition, Samsung has announced a new line of smart built-in cooking appliances, including wall ovens and cooktops.
Family Hub 2.0 will be integrated with Samsung’s 3-Door, 4-Door French Door, and 4-Door Flex refrigerator models, giving prospective customers more options to choose from compared to a year ago. Additionally, Family Hub 2.0 promises enhanced usability through improved app integration and the addition of voice recognition technology. Thus, with Family Hub 2.0, users will be able to access the internal “View Inside” camera to determine what items need to be replenished, and images of said items can then be added to the shopping list and ordered using the “Groceries by MasterCard” application. The 21.5-inch LED touchscreen fitted on Family Hub 2.0 refrigerators will now accommodate “an entirely new and easy-to-use” interface, allowing family members to create personalized user profiles using personal pictures or avatars. This system will allow family members to share photos, handwrite memos in real time, post memos remotely, and view calendar updates. Samsung also enriched Family Hub 2.0 with voice recognition technology, giving users the ability to issue voice commands such as adding products to the shopping list, asking for time and weather details, and even “control various other [unspecified] apps”. Speaking of which, Samsung’s list of partner applications now includes Grubhub, Glympse, Nomiku, Ring, Spotify, and iHeartRadio.
In addition to Smart Hub 2.0, Samsung is also “bringing innovation to the built-in appliance category” at CES 2017. The company has announced a new smart built-in cooking line with products ranging from built-in double and single wall ovens, built-in gas, induction, and electric cooktops, as well as built-in range hoods. All of these smart appliances are capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks, giving users the ability to start, control, and turn their kitchen equipment on or off remotely. Samsung’s booth at CES 2017 will open to the public later this week on January 5th. Stay tuned for more details.
