LG Electronics Inc. will equip all home electronics under its premium built-in brands such as Signature Kitchen Suite, LG Studio and LG DIOS Built-In to be rolled out this year with wireless internet connections, or Wi-Fi, hoping its latest technology drive helps it win in the smart-home race.

According to the South Korean home appliance giant on Monday, users of its premium built-in electronics will be able to control key functions of the connected appliances - refrigerators, cooktops and dishwashers - via an app called LG Smart Home Service SmartThinQ that can be downloaded to users’ smartphones.

This new app will allow a user to go out even while food is cooking in the oven because it will alarm the user when food is ready. Cooking temperature and time of the wirelessly connected cooktop can be set via a smartphone, and a notification will be sent to the user when the refrigerator door is left open. The new feature will also allow food in the fridge to remain fresh by tracking the expiry date.

The company also said its SmartThinQ Hub that reacts to the user’s commands and visualizes the condition of connected smart home devices will give the users of its wirelessly connected appliances more convenience in controlling them.

The latest announcement is part of LG Electronics’ ongoing efforts to enter the global smart home market that is expected to grow to $122 billion in 2022. Last month, it unveiled its plan to present its smart home appliances including air conditioners, robot vacuum cleaners and refrigerators that are equipped with deep learning technology at the CES 2017 to be held between January 5 and 8 in Las Vegas.

Earlier today, it also said it has incorporated webOS - the operating system technology it acquired from HP in February, 2013 - in its refrigerator. Its biggest domestic rival Samsung Electronics Co. already opted for Tizen in its own fridge. LG’s webOS-backed smart fridge will be also unveiled at CES 2017.

By Lee Dong-in

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business News Korea & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]