Do Your Laundry On The Internet!
From the department of unnecessary technology:
Washers and dryers that link wirelessly to internet-connected home networks are being tested by consumers who are receiving updates on their dirty laundry by cell phone, computer and TV set.
Messages not only indicate when a wash is complete but also can warn that a lint filter is clogged or a load is too large. Users can remotely command the machines to fluff dry clothes or start a load from a distance after being told -- oops -- they forgot to start the wash. [...]
The technology test, dubbed Laundry Time, recently began evaluating how three Atlanta families use the devices over six weeks.
"When you think about it, it's just laundry," said Tim Woods, an Internet Home Alliance vice president. "It's not exciting. But this isn't about technology. It's about the emotional impact of the technology," [...]
But some observers are skeptical.
"I think this is a great example of people using new technology to solve a problem that doesn't exist," said Laura Champine, a home products analyst for Morgan Keegan. "I've done my own laundry for four decades and I've never been away from my home and wondered how it's doing. Until the cell phone can load the dryer, I don't know how this technology will work for me."
A washing machine that emails you when you clothes are done is a good idea for apartment buildings. Any of you who live in an apartment have at one time or another probably run into this. You go to the laundry room only to find every machine has finished it's cycle but the owners of the clothes have yet to come put their wet clothes in the dryer. Either that or the dryers are full and people have yet to come get their clothes out of them. An email might remind them to come get their clothes.
Posted by: Jim in Phoenix | Monday, February 05, 2007 at 07:12 PM