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What to look for in Smart AppliancesSmart Choices at Universal Appliance and Kitchen CenterWhat's a smart appliance?There's more than one definition, but for our purposes here we're going to say that a smart appliance has some degree of connectivity. It might be as simple as an app that notifies you if your refrigerator door has been left open for some period of time. Or it might be remotely pre-heating and cooking a roast from your smartphone. All of this may sound wonderful, but there are pros and cons.Is it safe?Some manufacturers, as well as UL (Underwriters Laboratory) have expressed views on limiting remote capabilities for certain products. For example, should a remote app for ovens allow consumers to put their ovens through a self-clean cycle while nobody is home? Even remotely operating a cooking appliance of any sort has some consumers wary. One manufacturer has a remote app that can be set to operate only by Bluetooth which gives the homeowner complete use of remotely operating the appliance only within the house.How much is the premium for Smart Appliances?The first refrigerator with a TV built into the door launched over a decade ago and retailed close to $10,000. It really had little functionality, and failed miserably. Today, Samsung has a Family Hub refrigerator with a 21" tall wi-fi enabled full-featured communications center in the door and cameras inside that can be viewed remotely eg. from the grocery store with the Samsung app. The Samsung Family Hub refrigerator retails for $5800.

Time to Get Smart Appliances? The Consumer Electronic Show (CES), and the Design and Construction Week (IBS + KBIS) are all being held this month in Las Vegas. New "smart" appliances are sure to be shown at each venue. What's a "smart" appliance? Maybe not what you think. When the word "smart" is prepended to the word appliance, it usually means that the appliance connects remotely to a device such as a smartphone to allow the device to communicate with the appliance and vice versa. So far, the appeal of smart appliances has been limited. Most of the very early smart appliances didn't do much. So you can control the appliance from your easy chair or maybe even from your car. Not exciting. But much more is on the way. For example, new smart refrigerators can send you a text message to tell you that you left the refrigerator door open. I'm not going to rush out of the house just to buy a new smart appliance...BUT if I'm buying a new appliance, and I can get one with smart capabilities, I won't laugh it off. If my new refrigerator can send me a note telling me that the power to my refrigerator has gone off, I want that! Here are just a few new developments in smart appliances coming soon: GE Currently GE makes smart wall ovens that allow you to pre-heat your oven when you’re on your way home. They're now adding smart appliances including a French door

iSteam Home Steam Shower System Available at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center iSteam 2.0 with WiFi & Mobile App Mr. Steam's steam shower experience has just received an upgrade: iSteam. Here's how Mr. Steam describes their innovative use of smartphone technology in a Steam Shower system: High tech meets high touch with the iSteam home steam shower control. As easy to use as a smartphone, the highly intuitive LCD touch screen features beautiful graphics and high-performance in wet environments. A swipe and a tap on the screen of this sleek, moisture-proof control pad is all that’s needed to select the settings for a customized steam shower experience. The 4.3-inch liquid crystal display screen is a mere 1/8-inch thick, sitting nearly flush with the wall when installed. The iSteam’s revolutionary touch screen display and feature-rich menu offer an unsurpassed, customizable user experience. Along with a stunning graphic interface and bespoke design by world-renowned Industrial designer David Farrage, whose experience with Movado™ and Lamborghini™ is evident in iSteam’s contemporary styling. Swipe-touch simplicity controls temperature, duration, aromatherapy, chromatherapy and music, turning your steam shower into a sensory spa. iGenie: An iSteam system accessory, from up to 100 feet away the wireless iGenie control will preheat your Mr. Steam shower SmartPhone Options: iSteam Apps are now available for iPhone/iPad iOS 6.0 or greater, and Android 2.0 or greater. The app will allow your device to: Customize user preferences Enable user presets Monitor current room temperature Set steam session duration and temperature Adjust ChromaSteam and