January is here and you know what that means? The Consumer Electronic Show (CES) 2017 is kicking off again and this year promises to be the most exciting year yet.
I look forward to all of the new computers, televisions, and smart home devices, but I’m really an appliance gal at heart. Because CES always previews the coolest smart appliances and new major appliances from great brands like Samsung, LG, and Whirlpool, I’m basically glued to the press conferences whenever they mention kitchens or home.
From what I can see, there’s a lot to anticipate this year at CES. If you’re an appliance fan like I am or you’re thinking about renovating your kitchen this year, here’s a look at three of the major appliance trends coming out of CES 2017.
Touchscreen refrigerators
Although Samsung has had the Family Hub refrigerator out for a year now, but this could be the year refrigerators with touch screens really hit the big time. LG just unveiled the LG Smart InstaView Door-in-Door Refrigerator. This fridge has a full 29-inch HD touchscreen that you can knock on to see exactly what’s inside. If that’s not cool enough for you, the fridge display also runs on WebOS software and you can use it to connect your family, buy groceries, and more.
Samsung’s Family Hub is better than ever with brand new features including a 21.5-inch touchscreen LED display and a wider range of apps that the entire family can use. Each family member can have their own profile right on the fridge, and they can use the Family Hub to send photos or other content using the Family Hub app on their phones.
You’ll also be able to talk to your refrigerator. Both Samsung and LG are designed with advanced voice technology, and you can use voice commands to add to your grocery list, check the weather, or sync your schedules.
If it all sounds a bit jetson-esque, I’m right there with you, but I really can’t wait to bring one of these home.
Black stainless for the win
I’ve talked about black stainless steel before, but you really have to see it to understand how unbelievably gorgeous this finish is in a kitchen. Apparently major appliance manufacturers are really getting on board with the new finish because this is the first year it’s a definite alternate to the traditional stainless steel. I think you’ll be seeing it in a lot of kitchens before 2017 is over.
Next level laundry rooms? Here we go
When I upgraded my washing machine and dryer a year a half ago, I was blown away by the difference between my laundry pair and the 2015 models I bought. Now I may have to upgrade again, because big brands are really focusing on laundry and they’ve come out with some amazing features.
Take Samsung as an example: they just introduced the FlexWash™ + FlexDry™ laundry system at CES 2017. It’s actually two washing machines and two dryers in one. There’s a front-loader with five cubic feet of capacity and a top loader that can handle one foot. That means you can wash small loads on top while leaving the heavy duty loads for the front loader.
Using the dryers you can lay clothes flat in the dry zone on top of the dryer or use the main dryer with Samsung MultiSteam technology to disinfect your clothes.
That’s just a quick preview of 3 appliance trends coming out of CES 2017. Stay with me over the next few days as I give you updates on all of the exciting home and appliance releases.
Main image from: http://gadgets.ndtv.com
