Whirlpool Corp. in Benton Harbor today announced improvements to the voice-command capabilities in its connected appliances at the 2018 I/O conference in California.
As part of an ongoing collaboration with Google Home, Whirlpool updates will include global availability of remote appliance control in all regions where Whirlpool Connected appliances are available; more succinct, user-friendly functional commands; and plans for expansion of Google Home capabilities to select appliances from additional Whirlpool brands.
“We’re thrilled to offer a better experience for our consumers with our smart appliances, not just in the U.S., but now around the world,” says Jason Mathew, senior director of global connected strategy at Whirlpool Corp. “We’re constantly trying to improve and have worked … to address consumer feedback and simplify the command process for those who are using this connected technology in their own homes.”
As part of the upgrade, more than 25 connected appliance models from the company’s Whirlpool and Jenn-Air brands will no longer require users to state the specific brand when requesting that their Google Home complete an action. For example, users can now say, “OK Google, preheat the oven to 350 degrees,” instead of, “OK Google, ask Whirlpool to preheat the oven to 350 degrees.”
Google Assistant will soon be available for select connected appliances wherever Whirlpool Connected appliances are sold, including regions in Europe, India, Canada, and Mexico.
The company plans to expand Google Home capabilities to appliances within its KitchenAid and Maytag brands in late 2018.
