CES 2018: Apple Watch Users Can Control Select Whirlpool Washers, Dryers, and Ovens Early This Year

[MacRumors]

Whirlpool today at CES 2018 announced that some of its washers, dryers, and ovens will be controllable with an Apple Watch in the near future.

The home appliance maker said it will be releasing a watchOS app in early 2018 that will enable Apple Watch users to remotely control select functions on more than 20 of its latest Wi-Fi-connected washers, dryers, and ovens.

Here are a few examples:Washer: Control the wash options of an active cycle. Whether it be a normal wash, delicates, or brights, users can adjust an active cycle via their Apple Watch.
Dryer: Control and detect if a cycle has started, understanding how much time remains before the cycle is complete.
Oven: View the current oven status and control commands during an active cycle.Whirlpool said the collaboration marks the first time a major home appliance maker has connected its products with the Apple Watch.

Article Link: CES 2018: Apple Watch Users Can Control Select Whirlpool Washers, Dryers, and Ovens Early This Year

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

My house came with all whirlpool appliances. Each and every one of them has given me some problems in the past 26 months since I bought my house - I don't think I'll ever buy anything whirlpool branded ever again.

 

[NufSaid]

First I am CRAZY into tech, but am I the only person on the planet that has no desire to control every little thing in their house with a phone/watch?

This is marketing and not functional.....thermostats are nice and security systems are nice but why do I want to remote start my washer?

 

[bbeagle]

For a busy family, this is a great idea.

It would be great to get an alert when a load of laundry is done, so I can go down and remove it, and put a new load in. Many times, I'll put a load in and forget about it until later in the day. This would let me get the clothes washing on the weekend done quicker.

Of course, this is not something I would ditch my current washer/dryers for. But this is a great selling point when I'm looking for new washer/dryers when the current ones break.

Also, the stove thing would be great for my wife. When we leave the house she always worries - 'Did I leave the stove on?' . She could easily check with the app.
[doublepost=1515423350][/doublepost]

This is marketing and not functional.....thermostats are nice and security systems are nice but why do I want to remote start my washer?

Remote starting a washer is not something someone would really need (or does it look like it can do this), but checking to see when a load is done, or getting an alert that it's done are great ideas.

Actually, a combo washing machine-dryer where after the clothes are washed, they are automatically pushed to the dryer where it dries the clothes. Why hasn't this type of machine ever been invented?

 

[wlossw]

For a busy family, this is a great idea.

It would be great to get an alert when a load of laundry is done, so I can go down and remove it, and put a new load in. Many times, I'll put a load in and forget about it until later in the day. This would let me get the clothes washing on the weekend done quicker.

Of course, this is not something I would ditch my current washer/dryers for. But this is a great selling point when I'm looking for new washer/dryers when the current ones break.

Also, the stove thing would be great for my wife. When we leave the house she always worries - 'Did I leave the stove on?' . She could easily check with the app.
[doublepost=1515423350][/doublepost]

Remote starting a washer is not something someone would really need (or does it look like it can do this), but checking to see when a load is done, or getting an alert that it's done are great ideas.

Actually, a combo washing machine-dryer where after the clothes are washed, they are automatically pushed to the dryer where it dries the clothes. Why hasn't this type of machine ever been invented?

2 in one machines that wash and dry clothes do exist. They just don’t do a very good job and have a very small wash capacity.

 

[Braderunner]

First I am CRAZY into tech, but am I the only person on the planet that has no desire to control every little thing in their house with a phone/watch?

This is marketing and not functional.....thermostats are nice and security systems are nice but why do I want to remote start my washer?

I know! You still have to put the clothes, detergent, softener, whatever in the machine...why would you not just start it right then? Also, if you want to delay it until electric rates are cheaper, are you going to dry them the next night? Just not something I would be willing to pay extra for. But, that's just me.

 

[Shanesan]

Manually carries wet clothes from washer into dryer like some sort of monolithic heathen.

Begrudingly lifts shiny Apple Watch to lips.

"Hey Siri, blow my load."

Like a Christmas miracle, the dryer starts and technology, once again, reigns supreme.

 

[5105973]

My house came with all whirlpool appliances. Each and every one of them has given me some problems in the past 26 months since I bought my house - I don't think I'll ever buy anything whirlpool branded ever again.

Ah, you answered my question before I needed to post it. I desperately want to replace my “high efficiency washer” because it only works when I run it on the mode meant to consume the most water. Shocker, a washing machine actually needs more than one cup of water to wash a load of clothes. Whodathunkit?

Oh actually that’s not the only reason. It’s a front loader that has a tendency to shove our socks up under the large rubber gasket that always smells of mold and forces us to leave the washer door open all the time.

 

[Kobayagi]

People have cooked food and washed their clothes for decades using ''simple'' home appliances and these appliances have been doing a fine job. Until now apparently. Quite often, I think these companies are trying to come up with solutions to problems that don't really exist.

 

[Dave-Z]

First I am CRAZY into tech, but am I the only person on the planet that has no desire to control every little thing in their house with a phone/watch?

This is marketing and not functional.....thermostats are nice and security systems are nice but why do I want to remote start my washer?

You're not the only one. I've tried a few of these things and just found it's easier to do things the old fashioned way. Even lighting is easier with a cheap $15 timer.

These appliances are the epitome of dumb. I have to literally walk to the washer and dryer to physically move clothing. If I'm standing right there why don't I just use the controls on the unit right in front of me? How is it easier to use a watch? It's not like I'm changing wash settings mid-cycle.

 

[nutmac]

First I am CRAZY into tech, but am I the only person on the planet that has no desire to control every little thing in their house with a phone/watch?

While I wouldn't want to pay high premium for such features, I have some of the WiFi enabled smart home appliances and they are useful to me.

1. My laundry room is kinda far away. My washer tells me when the laundry is done, so I don't forget to put them in a dryer. I can also check how much time is remaining.
2. I don't have smart stove range, but being able to check whether the stove and oven are still on would be very useful.

 

[OldSchoolMacGuy]

I already control my sous vide machine via app so I guess this isn't really any different.

Though sous vide is different. There's no danger of overcooking. So I throw a steak in and head to the bar. 60-90 minutes later (depending on how thick the steak is), I get a notification that it's done and can be left for another 90 minutes without issue (you can lower the water temp remotely and hold it there indefinitely if you need longer). It's awesome. No need to rush home when dinner is done. Instead you can take your time and head home to sear it and eat when it's convenient for you. Can't do that with an oven.

 

[Vanilla35]

People have cooked food and washed their clothes for decades using ''simple'' home appliances and these appliances have been doing a fine job. Until now apparently. Quite often, I think these companies are trying to come up with solutions to problems that don't really exist.

There's only so much they can do to innovate (real R&D takes years). Tbh I'm surprised they're only starting to add these features now, although I suppose they're not exactly known for being up to speed with tech.

I can see turning off an stove remotely being helpful, but not turning it on. I can also see notifications for washing/drying being done being helpful, but not actually remotely starting it.

 

[Fall Under Cerulean Kites]

The only problem with this is you have to buy Whirlpool appliances. Which, based upon my recent experience, I would never even grant a passing consideration to purchasing again as long as I live.

 

[Blackstick]

Just bought new appliances for a new home. I went with WireCutter's recommendations for fridge, oven/range, washer/dryer, dishwasher. They're affordable, modern, simple for my wife/kids to use, and no added frills. I'm fine replacing my iPhone every 1-2 years, but my fridge or washing machine... I don't need it having outdated technology prone to failures and becoming obsolete, since these kind of products should last over a decade or longer.

 

[getoffmylawn]

 

[Defthand]

I think the monitoring and notifications features could be useful to a busy or forgetful user, but utility appliances are compromised when electronics are added to them. Ask any appliance repairman, the chief cause of appliance failures today is the electronics. Our dryer quit heating because of a defective relay switch on the circuitboard. The repair protocol requires the entire board to be replaced, a $400 part—almost half the cost of a new dryer! Most owners would have discarded the machine altogether and purchased a new one. Instead, I found a $11 relay switch online and paid an audio electronics technician $25 to solder it to the board. Three years later, still going strong.

 

[NightFox]

After the way Whirlpool managed their tumble dryer recall fiasco in the UK (or, to be more precise, are still failing to manage it), there's no way I'd ever entertain having another Whirlpool/Indesit/Hotpoint machine in my house. Over 2 years on and there's still an estimated 1 million tumble dryers still at risk of catching fire. Everyone I know who had an affected dryer just gave up waiting for months upon months for an engineer and bought new appliances at their own cost.

 

[tzm41]

I find most of the concerns here from fellow macrumorers valid. For example, these complicated circuits are more failure prone. But for the most often brought up point "who needs this", I think we are just dabbling into a all-connected IoT future. Of course there won't be any use remotely starting an oven if people needs to be present to put raw materials in. But what if in the near future a mini robot can transfer food from the fridge to the oven?

 

[Blackstick]

But what if in the near future a mini robot can transfer food from the fridge to the oven?

Well that's a lot different than today... typically today it's an overpriced refrigerator with basically an iPad on the door running a proprietary OS that never sees updates and eventually becomes useless while the fridge might still be fine.

 

[Strelok]

I already control my sous vide machine via app so I guess this isn't really any different.

Though sous vide is different. There's no danger of overcooking. So I throw a steak in and head to the bar. 60-90 minutes later (depending on how thick the steak is), I get a notification that it's done and can be left for another 90 minutes without issue (you can lower the water temp remotely and hold it there indefinitely if you need longer). It's awesome. No need to rush home when dinner is done. Instead you can take your time and head home to sear it and eat when it's convenient for you. Can't do that with an oven.

I was about to say "Sous vide steak, wtf?" until I looked it up. Now I'm intrigued and will have to try it sometime

 

[lparsons21]

I know! You still have to put the clothes, detergent, softener, whatever in the machine...why would you not just start it right then?

Yeah, after living 74 years on this planet and not ever needing or wanting to do that, or even change something about a cycle, I can't see a reason for it. Good for marketing I suppose

The stove control makes more sense.

 

[WWPD]

My house came with all whirlpool appliances. Each and every one of them has given me some problems in the past 26 months since I bought my house - I don't think I'll ever buy anything whirlpool branded ever again.

At least it hasn't exploded..
https://www.nbcnews.com/business/co...most-2-8m-washers-due-impact-injuries-n677891

 

[NightFox]

I know! You still have to put the clothes, detergent, softener, whatever in the machine...why would you not just start it right then?

In the UK, there are certain electricity tariffs where it's cheaper to use electricity at night so at a stretch I can imagine there could be a use for a remote/delayed start there.

 

[gsmornot]

I know! You still have to put the clothes, detergent, softener, whatever in the machine...why would you not just start it right then?

Hot water for me, reduced energy cost for others. I have a basic delay timer on my dishwasher that is meant to start the dishwasher later which for some people have peak pricing on energy cost. Cheaper to run it in the middle of the night. I do it so the hot water used by the washer is used outside the hours everyone is getting showers and baths. This time of year with it being so cold we never have enough hot water.