GE Will Make Its Older Fridges Smarter With WiFi Module Upgrade

It's a common complaint we hear thrown around: technology is changing so fast that relatively new products become obsolete long before they lose their functionality. GE Appliances doesn't want it customers to feel that sting, and so it'll be sending out WiFi modules to (some) customers who purchased a GE refrigerator after 2009 with an RJ45 port. The WiFi module will give the fridge support for the Wink smart home system, but not all fridge owners will be able to get one — there are 20,000 units available.

It isn't clear to whom GE will be sending the WiFi modules, just that they'll be going out to those with a fridge purchased after 2009 that features an RJ45 port. The information comes from Wink's general manager Brett Worthington, who revealed the tidbit of info last month. This will apparently be done as part of Wink's newest hardware/software update.

The WiFi module will simply plug into the RJ45 port on the fridge, adding the new functionality. The feedback GE gets from the 20,000 owners who get the modules will help it take the system to the next level, but what that will look like isn't clear. GE is the latest of several companies looking to add retrofitted smart functionality to existing appliances.

It doesn't appear to be set in stone what kind of functionality the new smart fridge owners will get, but Worthington dropped some details on what could be forthcoming, and they include things like notifications if the door isn't closed completely, if ice is running low, and user-input things like what food others should keep their hands off of.

SOURCE: GigaOm