Special report: IFA 2011 New refrigeration collection from Samsung
out, but the technology will undoubtedly gain favour.
Green shoots
the brand’s proprietary quad pixel (Quattron) technology because four-colour pixels can’t be made small enough for 8K4K.
Bright white goods Digital appliances enjoyed a significant IQ upgrade at IFA 2011, with most major brands ushering in, or refining, Smart product lines. Samsung introduced its new European-made fridge freezer range, the G-Series. These models have 60 litres more internal capacity than their predecessors and use seven smart sensors to continuously monitor temperature and humidity levels. They also sport a vacation mode, able to maximise energy efficiency when their owners are on holiday.
The brand also expanded its line of eco-bubble washers with a new 12kg capacity unit offering an LCD touchscreen. Joining it was an 8kg slim- depth washer.
The smart refrigerator LG Electronics launched a similarly cerebral DA range under its Smart ThinQ banner. LG’s first Smart ThinQ-enabled washer is able to self- diagnose water supply problems and run customized, downloadable wash cycles.
Young-ha Lee, president and CEO of LG Electronics Home Appliance Company predicted smart tech would bring “previously unimagined levels of convenience and energy efficiency and a fundamental change in the way people manage their homes.” LG’s first side-by-side
refrigerator has an integrated LCD panel and Smart Manager food system. If you want to find out what’s inside there’s no need to open the door, just log on to the fridge with your mobile or check the in-door LCD panel. The latter also offers a digital photo album, calendar and memo. It can even keep track of your social media.
Germ busters Nearby, Haier touted a range of washing machines featuring a unique anti-bacterial treatment. The brand’s so- called ABT coating claims to wipe out resilient extremotolerant fungi once and for all. This ABT ‘special treatment’ permanently protects seals and detergent drawers with a coating applied during construction. It’s said to be effective throughout the entire life cycle of the product. Perhaps not smart in the techy sense, but most definitely clever.
14 The Independent Electrical Retailer October 2011
Smart Grid ready A growing number of digital appliance brands used IFA to bow Smart Grid compliant appliances. Miele, Samsung and LG led the way with an assortment of products. When local utility companies begin to offer differentiated energy-rate time slots, these appliances automatically re-adjust to take advantage of the best energy rates.
Sadly the UK appears to be falling behind parts of Europe when it comes to a concentrated Smart Grid roll-
While most big brands played their eco-card at IFA, few dealt as enthusiastically as Panasonic. Chairman and CEO of Panasonic Europe, Laurent Abadie, used his media address to pledge that Panasonic would become the number one green technology brand by 2018. As part of its corporate vision, the company is co-developing a smart city project in Fujisawa, Japan, which will become a living example of its green technologies. Naturally, 3D remains a lynch pin for Panasonic. Not only is the company working with the IOC to deliver the first ever 3D Olympics, in 2012, but it also unveiled its most advanced 3D camcorder to date, the HDC-Z10000. Offering a raft of advanced film-making technologies, the brand says it hopes the camera will encourage enthusiasts to create their own 3D content. ■
Robotic Cleaner
Samsung’s latest robotic vacuum cleaner, the NaviBot S, can empty its dust bag automatically. When full, the NaviBot S returns to its charging base where empties its dust container into a central bin, refreshing its battery and cleaning its main brush in the process. The Navibot S also has an upgraded Visionary MappingPlus System and is 10 % slimmer than last year’s cleaning ‘bot.
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