Samsung has just introduced the refreshed Family Hub 2.0 refrigerators at CES 2017. Last year, its predecessor, the Family Hub 1.0, was released to much critical acclaim. The four models will now expand to no less than ten new Family Hub 2.0 options.
At the unveiling, Byung-Sam Seo, President of Home Appliances at Samsung Electronics, said:
“After just one year of availability, the Family Hub has transformed the concept of the connected kitchen by enabling users to order and manage grocery shopping, connect with family and friends, and access entertainment right from the comfort of their kitchen. Taking flexibility and functionality to a whole new level, the Family Hub 2.0 is entirely about helping consumers better manage as well as enjoy their lives.”
The new product range will span all models of refrigerator design currently produced by Samsung, including the 3-door and 4-door French Door models and the 4-door flex model. Samsung says consumers will be able to enjoy a wider choice based on their decor needs.
As for the features, we’re seeing several improvements on all fronts.
The internal View Inside cameras will show you what you’re low on, so you can add images of them to your shopping list, and even order them using the Groceries by MasterCard app on your smartphone or tablet.
There’s also the Recipe app from AllRecipes that will find any recipe you want on the Internet and read it out aloud for you so you can multitask.
The 21.5-inch LED touchscreen acts as a bulletin board and has been given a refresh as well. Using the Family Hub app, you can share photos, handwritten memos in real time and even shared calendars. You’ll also be able to create avatars of your family members on the new interface.
One major addition is voice command integration with many of the Family Hub apps. You can now ask for the weather, the time, add stuff to your shopping list and do much more with Samsung’s advanced voice technology.
There’s lots more coming in the way of collaborations. For example, Samsung plans to integrate home security services on the Hub 2.0. The company is also bringing in Spotify, iHeartRadio and several location based collaborations to its new line of smart refrigerators. In Europe, for instance, EATALY and LiDL will be their e-commerce partners so users can order their groceries using Family Hub 2.0. In the United States, they’re tying up with NPR to provide the daily news, possibly as a read-out feature.
At CES 2017 Samsung also introduced a wide range of smart built-in cooking appliances, each of which has WiFi and can communicate with the user through a smartphone app – appliances that can turn themselves on and off, and be monitored through the apps.
Samsung is now a two-time CES Innovation Award honoree, first for the Family Hub 1.0 in 2016, and this year in the home appliances and software/UI categories.
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