Samsung announced the 2018 version of its Samsung Family Hub smart refrigerator, delivering official details about the smart appliance at CES 2018, coincidentally, in the same time frame as LG’s Instaview ThinQ fridge.
This particular iteration of the fridge adds better support for Samsung Bixby, plus integration with SmartThings. Notably, it also adds AKG speakers, which sounds like that last thing you’d expect to be added to a kitchen item. Regardless, the new Family Hub allows for connections to third-party devices, as long as they come from the SmartThings ecosystem. In particular, these include lights, thermostats, and home cameras.
Samsung’s Family Hub also features a screen that allows users to view any connected SmartThings camera. Of course, it still gets a camera of its own so users can view what it currently holds within. On the other hand, Bixby now recognizes individual voices of different people for a more personalized experience.
As for the speakers, while seemingly out-of-place, does allow for playback of content from built-in apps like Pandora. Streaming-wise, it features the ability to stream audio from your phone to the fridge itself. For apps, Samsung will add Meal Planner, a food management app, and Deals, which adds bargains and coupons to your Shopping List or loyalty card.
The 2018 Samsung Family Hub refrigerator launches this spring, though no prices announced yet.
