This will allow users to be able to change their wash settings through an app and a tap.
Although when it all comes down to it, washing machines are pretty basic, but they are also extremely essential to our lives and are now becoming, quite high tech, as is the case with the NFC technology enabled appliances being unveiled by LG.
This latest release was announced during a technology event attended by LG.
LG brought the NFC technology compatible washing machine to InnoFest 2014, where it made the appliance’s first introduction to the world. The fact that it supports the tech drew some considerable attention as smart devices and home appliances become more common and appealing to consumers.
NFC technology will help people to load new programs into their washing machines.
As it stands, the appliances will come with a number of presets from which users can choose so that they can decide what temperature they would like to use for the water, how much water to use (that is, the size of the load), how many refills or spin cycles are needed, and more. For instance, if the user only wanted a quick wash, then the washer may be set to spin for only a few minutes, whereas a longer wash would require more refills and spins to remove the water.
With the near field communication compatibility, users will be able to download additional programs and their settings onto their smartphones, and then simply tap them against the washing machine in order to load them into the appliance. This simple feature for added connectivity also gives the users of smartphones to be able to keep on top of any potential minor issues that the washing machine might develop, through the use of a Smart Diagnosis feature.
Aside from the additional programs that can be added by way of NFC technology, and the smartphone compatible diagnostics feature, the appliance appears to be a relatively standard top of the line washing machine. It comes with a number of the latest top features such as steam softener and steam refresh, as well as allergy care.
Many companies are adopting this close range connectivity tech for new and surprising reasons.
Although NFC technology has been receiving the largest amount of attention due to the many massive attempts being made to introduce it to the mobile payments sphere, companies are also finding a number of other unique and helpful uses.
In fact, it is expected that payments may end up being one of the lesser uses.
At a recent large electronics show, several companies – including the event itself – applied NFC technology in a range of different ways. These chips were unveiled in numerous devices and were used for many different purposes. According to the Broadcom CEO, Scott McGregor, “NFC really simplifies things.” His company is a chipmaker that sees considerable value in this tech. He added that “The most advanced technology is stifled if it’s not easy to use. … NFC plays a very valuable role in simplifying user interfaces for consumer products.”
NFC technology is now being used for everything from payments to coupons, tickets, press releases and other data exchanges.
While the focus is primarily placed on mobile payments through NFC technology that would allow smartphones to be used at a point of sale in order to complete a purchase by tapping the device against a reader, the world isn’t quite there yet. It is still quite rare for point of sale terminals to be equipped with readers, which significantly limits the use of the chips, even among those who would be interested and have enabled smartphones.
However, recently, new consumer electronics are being launched that include NFC technology for whole new reasons. Enabled devices aren’t just smartphones anymore. Instead, they include televisions, speakers, refrigerators, cameras, and even business cards. Panasonic, for example, has added a chip to its rice cookers.
This is considerably expanding the possibilities connected with NFC technology. Clearly, it is not simply a one trick pony, and electronics companies are taking it seriously. Though many still expect that it will soon experience explosive use through smartphones, it is evident that device manufacturers of all kinds intend to try to take advantage of its benefits in many new and exciting ways.
