LG shares its plans for home appliance evolution
With new features, upgraded smarts, and clever design touches, LG hopes to connect with consumers.
- 10 years product testing experience with the CNET Home team
LAS VEGAS -- Today at CES, LG shared its plans for the continued evolution of its home appliance lines, focusing on its new Home Chat smart platform, along with new key features in each major product category.
LG Home Chat allows users to manage their connected appliances and devices with an SMS interface -- you'll literally be able to send your refrigerator, washing machine, robot vacuum, or other smart appliance a command or question via text message, then get a response. The service plays into a developing theme here at CES: a more accessible smart home. We've already seen a focus on simpler, more unified smart home ecosystems from Belkin and Samsung, and it's a sentiment that LG seems to be echoing.
In addition to upgraded smarts, LG plans on rolling out some of its more practical minded-features across entire product categories. You can expect to see more door-in-door refrigerators, as LG promised to expand the popular feature across its entire refrigerator platform. The same goes for EasyClean, a three-step self-cleaning setting that LG plans to roll out across its entire slate of ovens and microwaves.
LG also announced plans for a growing number of front-load washers, including models with TurboWash, a feature designed to "fast-forward your laundry" and save users up to 20 minutes per load. As for dryers, LG highlighted new heat pump-powered front-load models with doors capable of opening from the side or the top, allowing the door to be used as a makeshift chute for easy loading.
Finally, LG expressed its enthusiasm for the continued rollout of the LG Studio line of premium-end appliances, and announced a partnership with celebrity decorator Nate Berkus, who'll assist LG in designing the upcoming generation of LG Studio appliances.