The gigantic CES Show in Las Vegas doesn’t actually open until tomorrow, Tuesday, January 9th, but Whirlpool is already making waves as the first appliance manufacturer to link up products for compatibility with the Apple Watch.
The Benton Harbor-based appliance giant has been working on smart home appliance capabilities for years, but this takes things to new heights by connecting up to the Apple Watch platform.
Showcasing at CES and rolling out early this year, connected appliances from Whirlpool Corporation will allow consumers to remotely communicate with ovens, washers and dryers by way of their Apple Watch. The collaboration marks the first time an appliance maker has connected its products with Apple Watch and its capabilities.
Brett Dibkey is Whirlpool’s Vice President of Brand & Strategy in North America. He says, “Bringing intuitive technology and functionality to the appliance category that helps take the friction out of household chores is chief among our goals as we innovate for the smart home.” Dibkey adds, “Our consumers are sophisticated and expect their appliances to work smarter, not harder. Through the new collaboration with Apple, we’re increasing a consumer’s capability to interact with their appliances in new and more convenient ways.”
Compatibility with Apple Watch will begin with a roll out to more than 20 Whirlpool brand connected appliances in 2018.
Consumers will be able to remotely communicate with their appliances through the Whirlpool app on Apple Watch in a variety of ways*:
- Oven: Consumers will be able to see the current oven status and control commands during an active cycle.
- Washer: Alongside status updates, users can control the wash options of an active cycle. Whether it be a normal wash, delicates, or brights, consumers can adjust an active cycle on the fly via their Apple Watch.
- Dryer: Consumers can control and detect if a cycle has started, understanding how much time remains before the cycle is complete.
This collaboration with Apple Watch is another demonstration of Whirlpool Corporation’s commitment to innovation that serves a purpose. By expanding remote connectivity to home appliances, consumers can continue to personalize their appliance interactions and care for their families smarter, faster, and better.
From January 9th-to the -12th, CES attendees can get up close to all Whirlpool brand innovations at booth #41725 in the Smart Home section, located at the Sands Expo Center. For more information on the company’s care-centric product innovations and to join the conversation, visit ces.whirlpool.com and follow #CareSmarter.
(*Appliance must be set to remote enable. WiFi & App required. Features subject to change. For details and privacy statement, visit whirlpool.com/connect.)
Whirlpool Corporation is the number one major appliance manufacturer in the world, with approximately $21 billion in annual sales, 93,000 employees and 70 manufacturing and technology research centers in 2016. Additional information about the company can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com, or find them on Twitter at @WhirlpoolCorp.
