Android: soon to be doing your chores

Soon, some lucky people will able to have Android do their chores for them. Panasonic is releasing a new lineup of home appliances that can be controlled from afar, via an app installed on your favorite device. This lineup includes a WiFi air conditioner, washing machines, refrigerators, scales and blood pressure monitors.

Panasonic has on official app that will take advantage of NFC to interact with the appliances that will go on sale in Japan over the next three months. Android fans in Germany will get the first glimpses of Panasonic’s new line at the IFA electronics show that kicks of next week, in Berlin.

The air conditioners will be able to be controlled remotely across the Internet via the “Panasonic Smart App” as well as including a touch card interface for uploading data for later viewing on the companies servers. I would suggest strong passwords as usual, you wouldn’t want some prankster to turn off your AC while you’re trying to relax on your day off!

The refrigeration units will be able to keep track of how many times the door has been opened and cooling efficiency over durations of time. This might come in handy to for those who have kids that keep constantly running in and out of the fridge, and sometimes leave the doors open.

The blood pressure recorders have the ability to upload daily measurements. This could lead the way for more efficient counter measures guarding against strokes, heart attacks and a range of other heart-related health complications.

The washing machines can download instructions for various types of detergents and make use of the app to store wash settings for different types of fabrics and clothing. I could have used something like that years ago when I used to make colors bleed in the wash, ruining the rest of my load (I’m talking laundry here, keep your mind outta the gutter for a change).

Panasonic has even released a steam oven and rice cooker that use NFC to transfer recipes and cooking settings, not to mention the company’s audio and digital products that are equipped with online functionality.

All of these devices will interact with Panasonic’s app, free of charge, to be able to download user manuals, tips, track power consumption and efficiency. A testament to Panasonic’s efforts to be an environmentally friendly electronics manufacturer.

These are expected to be high end appliances, with just the air conditioners estimated to run between $2,650 and $4,290. Speculations would have it that connected devices and appliances will be emerging and showing up in homes, and Panasonic is targeting smart phones in conjunction with their cloud service, exactly for that purpose.

They have released a line of phones and tablets under the ‘Eluga’ brand in Japan and Europe. These devices have a built-in RFID chip that can interact with the company’s appliances and the phones can communicate wirelessly with TV sets and digital recorders to stream shows and send media across a home network.

It certainly looks like Panasonic is looking to re-emerge with Phoenix-like vigor, after pulling out of the international market back in 2005. What can I say, as an Android lover and advocate…..the future looks good!

Source: PCWorld