Samsung's $5000 fridge is packed with enough technology to (almost) rival a smartphone

[midian182]

In addition to its stylish new laptops and tablets, Samsung has taken the opportunity to show off what must be one of the most technologically advanced fridges in the world at CES: the $5000 Family Hub Refrigerator.

The enormous, four-door smart device features a 21.5-inch, 1080p, Gorilla Glass-covered touchscreen that uses the Tizen OS to let you write notes (either with a stylus, which strangely isn’t included, or your finger), and display calendars. Samsung is hoping to provide integration with iOS and Andriod calendars through a third-party tool called Sticki.

Owners will be able to send photos to the fridge’s display from their phones, tablets and computers, and can even stream music from services such as Spotify using the built-in speakers or ones that are connected via Bluetooth.

You’ll even be able to watch your favorite shows on the fridge, assuming you’d want to, as the display can mirror the feed from Samsung’s smart televisions. You can control SmartThings-compatible connected home gadgets with the touchscreen, and there’ll be an option to use the MasterCard grocery application to purchase food and ingredients. There are also plans to add Instacart compatibility, allowing users in certain cities to have their groceries delivered directly to them.

On the inside of the fridge, there is a pair of discreet cameras that take a picture of the contents every time you close the door. When out shopping, you can open up the accompanying Samsung app on your Android or iOS device and check the last photo taken to see what groceries you need.

Samsung said it is looking at bringing Alexa, Amazon's cloud-connected AI assistant, to the fridge - giving it the same functionality found in the Amazon Echo smart speaker.

Hopefully, this smart fridge won’t suffer the same security issues as its 2014 predecessor; researchers found that they could use a man-in-the-middle attack to steal data such as passwords and session tokens from the $3600 smart device.

If you’ve got a lot of money and want a fridge that’s almost as technology advanced as a smartphone, then you can buy the Family Hub Refrigerator sometime in May for around $5000.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/63375-samsung-5000-fridge-packed-enough-technology-almost-rival.html

 

[VitalyT]

Next step: have the fridge recognize products placed in it, and generate storage statistics, like for how long a product has been there, and provide a warning when something has been there for too long, possibly even by recognizing what product it is, and checking its normal expiration period online.

In this case, it could come up with your normal usage statistics, and remind you when some of your regular products are missing. Better still, it could measure the percentage of fats and vitamins you are consuming, and make a suggestion for a healthier life.

 

[mctommy]

Next step: have the fridge recognize products placed in it, and generate storage statistics, like for how long a product has been there, and provide a warning when something has been there for too long, possibly even by recognizing what product it is, and checking its normal expiration period online.

In this case, it could come up with your normal usage statistics, and remind you when some of your regular products are missing. Better still, it could measure the percentage of fats and vitamins you are consuming, and make a suggestion for a healthier life.

I'd buy it if they make one according to your vision.

 

[Mister_K]

Next step: have the fridge recognize products placed in it, and generate storage statistics, like for how long a product has been there, and provide a warning when something has been there for too long, possibly even by recognizing what product it is, and checking its normal expiration period online.

In this case, it could come up with your normal usage statistics, and remind you when some of your regular products are missing. Better still, it could measure the percentage of fats and vitamins you are consuming, and make a suggestion for a healthier life.

Good shout, probably a technology that will eventually be just about everywhere.

 

[yRaz]

And it still doesn't keep things cool any better than my 20/yr fridge that I got on craigslist for $40. I have a home theater system the plays music better than that fridge, the digital picture frame is just plan stupid and it being internet connected makes it a security risk on my home network.

I HAVE NEVER, EVER NEEDED TO SEND A PICTURE TO MY REFRIGERATOR!!!! I'd honestly like to meet a person who has.

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

$5K just to keep a few six packs chilled? Forget it, I can do that for far, far, far less.

 

[Mister_K]

$5K just to keep a few six packs chilled? Forget it, I can do that for far, far, far less.

Sure it's about $2,000 - $3,000 over the more realistic consumer price but yay for new tech I guess.

 

[Wprice]

And if it's anything like my current Samsung refrigerator it looks good but the actual part being a good refrigerator will be a distant afterthought. Don't buy Samsung refrigerators. Ever.

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

Sure it's about $2,000 - $3,000 over the more realistic consumer price but yay for new tech I guess.

2 to 3K more than a realistic price? I was thinking more along the lines of $4900 more than a realistic price but you're right, if you wanna brag you'd better have deep pockets.

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

And if it's anything like my current Samsung refrigerator it looks good but the actual part being a good refrigerator will be a distant afterthought. Don't buy Samsung refrigerators. Ever.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with my Samsung fridge, or Samsung washing machine, microwave, vacuum cleaner, TV, monitor, phone, DVD drive and the list goes on. Their products work for me. Not this one though, I can't read that huge number on the price sticker.

 

[Mister_K]

2 to 3K more than a realistic price? I was thinking more along the lines of $4900 more than a realistic price but you're right, if you wanna brag you'd better have deep pockets.

Here in UK non "smart" premium/luxury Frindges are around that price of ($2,000 to $3,000).
or you could get one for few hundred bucks.

 

[Mister_K]

There's absolutely nothing wrong with my Samsung fridge, or Samsung washing machine, microwave, vacuum cleaner, TV, monitor, phone, DVD drive and the list goes on. Their products work for me. Not this one though, I can't read that huge number on the price sticker.

It's about the technology, also some people can afford it. It's like buying anything new in the market. Mind you, sticking an ipad on there isn't exactly new however if their technology isn't buggy, then why not.

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

Here in UK non "smart" premium/luxury Frindges are around that price of ($2,000 to $3,000).
or you could get one for few hundred bucks.

Here in SA that about the price of premium branded "smart" kitchen appliances.

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

It's about the technology, also some people can afford it. It's like buying anything new in the market. Mind you, sticking an ipad on there isn't exactly new however if their technology isn't buggy, then why not.

If you want to jump on the "smart home" bandwagon then you have to pay the piper I'm afraid.

 

[misor]

'knowing' Samsung, it is likely the fridge costs around 1000$ and the balance is covered by the 'smart tech'.

 

[Mister_K]

'knowing' Samsung, it is likely the fridge costs around 1000$ and the balance is covered by the 'smart tech'.

it's not Apple, or ... well nvm everyone takes a page from their books :X

 

[Mister_K]

If you want to jump on the "smart home" bandwagon then you have to pay the piper I'm afraid.

Yep. I am all for it tho, If I had the extra cash, Id probably mindlessly shell out for it. Until then, Raspberry Pi and simple "home smart" projects are the way to go.

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

Yep. I am all for it tho, If I had the extra cash, Id probably mindlessly shell out for it. Until then, Raspberry Pi and simple "home smart" projects are the way to go.

(y)

 

[mctommy]

And it still doesn't keep things cool any better than my 20/yr fridge that I got on craigslist for $40. I have a home theater system the plays music better than that fridge, the digital picture frame is just plan stupid and it being internet connected makes it a security risk on my home network.

I HAVE NEVER, EVER NEEDED TO SEND A PICTURE TO MY REFRIGERATOR!!!! I'd honestly like to meet a person who has.

I could think of the convenience of it like, you are at the grocery store and you don't know if your SO already bought bread or something... snapshot... bam, no bread so let's buy bread.

Here in UK non "smart" premium/luxury Frindges are around that price of ($2,000 to $3,000).
or you could get one for few hundred bucks.

It's the same in the US, you are looking at about $2k-3k for the big french doors fridge, pull out bottom freezer.

My biggest advice to anyone buying a fridge and who uses ice quite often: buy one without that bucket attached to your freezer door (with the spinning tumbler): the motor will always die or the ice will melt and clog the opening all the time (because every time you open the freezer door, the ice will melt ever so slowly).

As I said before, I have the money but would only spend it if what VitalyT said above would be the actual features of the $5k fridge.