Whirlpool is planning on rolling out connected appliances across its various brands, although it will start with the German-based Bauknecht brand rather than Hotpoint, Whirlpool or KitchenAid. The Android and iOS app is called BLive and can could control dishwashing, washing, drying and refrigeration/freezing. Lindahl suggested that the app will also help users get more from their appliances since people don’t often use them to their full capability.
The benefits of connected appliances will be that they can talk to each other – for example the washing machine will be able to tell the dryer what fabric was used and what cycle was run. You can also set washing cycles by telling the app what you’re washing rather than having to worry about selecting the right programme; the app will suggest that for you.
Lindahl says that Whirlpool’s user testing on connected appliances have thrown up some interesting results. “We found that 1 in 4 users actually stopped interacting with the appliances in the traditional way and just used the phone and tablet app.” “Our dishwasher can schedule [the cycle] at any time of the day. The app will tell you when the cheaper energy tariffs are, so you can run it then. If you have a half load, you can tell it. One out of three dishwasher [cycles] were in that way.”
