There’s an app for that has become a part of lingo now. It seems that a cell phone or tablet application exists for nearly every conceivable need or want. For people already fed up with Angry Birds or Google Maps — get used to it. The consumer market has only scratched the surface on what devices will have access to the Internet.
At the beginning of 2011 the trend is more and greater connectivity. Products in nearly every industry are becoming “smart”. Cars might be the next major consumer product to be completely transformed by technology. The way we fuel cars is being changed. Traditional gasoline powered engines are being replaced by hybrids or electric-only systems. It will take years for these technologies to take over the marketplace, but the way in which people drive is already being changed by the Internet. Future cars will be mobile offices complete with Wi-Fi connection for tablets, laptops and smartphones. New models will provide drivers with voice controlled apps that will provide traffic information, Internet radio and the means to control nearly every function of the car.
The car applications seem to make sense, but what about connecting the washing machine to the Internet? It is happening, and yes, there is an app for that. Custom washing cycle apps will provide users with alerts when a laundry cycle is complete or accept commands. Smart appliances are not limited to the utility room. Refrigerators with a built-in food management app could become the standard within a few years. A Jetson’s like household might be a few years away, but one of the immediate benefits of smart appliances should be the positive environmental impact. Smart appliances run using improved power management. Even if the immediate benefits will not be as obvious, searching for the ketchup might not be as difficult in the future — if your fridge has anything to say about it.