Samsung Debuts New 2-In-1 WiFi Washer & Revamped Smart ‘Selfie-Fridge’

Samsung Electronics has shaken up the home appliance market, by launching a new Wif-Fi connected 2-in-1 washing machine, and upgraded version of its smart ‘selfie-fridge’.

Family Hub 2.0

Unveiled in Sydney today, the company debuted a revamped version of its Family Hub refrigerator, set to become a focal point of the family home, by embedding entertainment and other highly interactive touch-screen features.

The original Family Hub fridge launched to Australia last year, accompanying a price tag of around AUD$7,000.

Pre-empting the launch of today’s latest version, the older Family Hub fridges recently received a price cut, currently retailing around AUD$5,300.

The new range now includes a 671L French Door and 634L Flat Door French Door with Entertainer’s Drawer.

The upgraded version will feature enhanced usability features, including the ability to order and manage groceries, connect with family and friends, and access entertainment – such as Spotify – directly from the fridge.

Jeremy Senior, Head of Home Appliances at Samsung Electronics Australia states of the revamped version:

“Having the option to order your groceries using the Woolworths app, manage family member schedules, access entertainment and connect to your washing machine and POWERbot, Australians can now better manage their households straight from the hub of the home”.

Family Hub 2.0 also debuts an “entirely new and easy-to-use interface”, which allows households to customise up to six profiles with avatars.

A 21.5″ LED screen also includes the ability to share photos, access and update calendars (with voice control), hand write memos, and post memos from anywhere using their smartphone via the Family Hub app.

Smarter food management is a key feature of the colloquially named ‘selfie-fridge’, which automatically captures images of the contents of a fridge, and transfers them to a person’s smartphone device. The innovation no doubt will reduce food wastage, as it also includes an ‘expiry date’ record keeping feature for items held within the refrigerator.

Family Hub 2.0 includes three separate cooling systems, which is designed to keep food fresher for longer, whilst maintaining temperature and humidity control.

It includes the option to convert the bottom right freezer to a ‘fridge’ for extra fridge space – perfect for entertaining.

The ‘Entertainer’s Drawer’ utilised four pre-set temperature settings, which provides flexibility for food storage when entertaining.

A suite of entertainment options is embedded within the fridge, which also allows users to mirror content directly from a compatible Samsung TV or smartphone.

Samsung’s Family Hub 634L Flat Door French Door (SRF630BFH2) will retail for RRP$6,199   through Harvey Norman exclusively.

Samsung’s Family Hub 671L French Door (SRF671BFH2) will retail through most major retailers for RRP$5,999.

FlexWash

For many consumers, the decision to purchase either a front load washer or a top load washer is a notable household decision – however, Samsung’s latest innovation has fused together both devices into one washing machine unit.

The all new ‘2-in-1’ washing machine is designed to reduce time and increase flexibility for busy Australian families.

The washing machine features a 16kg front load section and a 2.5kg top load section (i.e. 18.5kg in total).

Incorporating two designs, the washing machine will allow Australian families to wash two separate loads at once.

Consumers can determine what stage their washing machine is at via their smartphone. They can also receive notifications remotely, informing them when their washing is done.

Jeremy Senior, Director, Home Appliances Samsung Electronics Australia states of the new device:

“FlexWash® combines the benefits of having two separate washing machines with both a front and top loader in a beautiful all-in-one design. It will help Australian households manage their separate laundry loads and help save them time with the ability to run two wash cycles at the same time”.

The benefit of having two separate sections, will allow better time management and laundry customisation to consumers – e.g. bedding/delicates can be washed in one section, whilst heavily soiled items are washed in another. Colour separation is also easier and can be done at the same time.

As Samsung’s FlexWash includes Wi-Fi control, consumers can now start, stop, and change cycles via a compatible smartphone.

The product comes with a 4 star energy rating – but is notably only for the lower washer.

Water efficiency is also said to be 4 stars, however, is only for the lower washer only.

Samsung’s new FlexWash washing machine will be available at most Australian retailers for RRP $3,499 from October 31st.