The Wireless Washer and Dryer, Courtesy of Microsoft
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer's Todd Bishop reports that Microsoft, Whirlpool and other members of the CABA Internet Home Alliance are testing a system that connects a washer and dryer to a wireless home network and sends notifications to your PC, TV or mobile phone when your laundry's done.
"The 'Laundry Time' system also goes further, to let people control the washer and dryer from a distance — pressing a button on a cell phone, for example, to keep the dryer going a few extra minutes until you get home," bishop writes.
This news has already been Slashdotted, resulting in a range of mostly jeering responses, including, "An oven should be an oven. A refrigerator should be a refrigerator. A dryer should be a dryer. Any added networking technology (or any other whiz-bang gizmos) for what are basically a hot box, a cold box and a heated drum is just insanity."
"Several families in Atlanta will test the Laundry Time system in an eight-week study scheduled to start next week," Bishop writes.
Doesn't sound like insanity to me at all — in fact, I'm jealous: sign me up!
Ritu Srivastava said:
Jul 19, 06 at 5:33 amWow, its amazing, now wireless is connecting to our home accessories also like washer and dryer.
Its good that we will get notice on mobile phones when our clothes were washed.
Whirlpool parts said:
Jul 18, 07 at 9:11 amImpressive, Whirlpool breaks the lines again. These appliance are for very busy people, great thought, i have no words. I can only imagine the comfort in our homes having such devices.
patrick o daly said:
Sep 12, 10 at 5:03 pmthat is just how i found this page looking for just the thing. ill take two.