Trend Watch: Entertaining Appliances

Tuesday, March 1, 2005

Trend Watch: Entertaining Appliances (NAPSA)—Once thought castle-in-the-sky ideas—hybrid cars, the Internet, digital cameras and cordless phones are now commonplace in America. Known as an appliance industry leader and innovator, Whirlpool brand has \l introduced a new concept appliance—a flat-screen television microwave. The brand’s Advanced Concepts and Technologies team developed the prototype microwave with a flat-screen television positioned in the glass door. The screen can switch back and forth between prime-time shows and whatever is cooking inside. Given that the National Institute on Media and the Family found 40 percent of Americans always or often watch television while eating dinner, it’s not hard to imagine a time when more kitchen appliances may incorporate enter- tainment elements. The flat-screen TV microwave integrates the same cooking, baking andgrilling functions featured in the Whirlpool g2microven™ Speedcook appliance in addition to a 17-in. wide high-definition television screen. A push of a button on the remote control changes the screen between the morning news and cinnamonrolls baking. Such innovations could give families of the future a new take on TV dinners.