Petra Kitchen

Gianluca Tondi, owner of TM Italia Cucine, designed the Petra Kitchen presented at the Abitare il Tempo trade fair. Petra is a new type of custom kitchen that conceals the working components when not in use. A remote control opens the travertine top to reveal the cooktop and downdraft ventilation. The faucet and oven are also mechanized to raise and lower.

TM Italia Cucine calls their home automation system (domotics) “TM_touch’n’go”. With the touch of a button you can open the kitchen and view the monitor, “TM_Vison,” for watching television or use the Internet connection for searching the web.

The monitor is show raised on the left end in the first two photos. The tall cabinets are also sleek and have no decorative hardware housing dishes and the refrigerator.
I would love to have seen this in person.

October 2, 2008

GE Develops Power Shifting Appliances

General Electric will be testing a line of appliances which can wirelessly communicate with special “smart” electric meters.

The electric meters, in use by many utility companies across America, send signals to the appliances that direct the appliances to alter operations to use less electricity during peak times.

”Now that ENERGY STAR® appliances are recognized by 75% of American consumers, the next step is to reshape when energy is being used,” said Kevin Nolan, Vice President Technology for GE Consumer & Industrial.

For example, the automatic defrost feature on GE refrigerators is initiated by the internal electronics based on the number of refrigerator door openings and other input signals. If the refrigerator can delay the defrost cycle from occurring during peak energy usage hours, consumers will save money by paying for the same amount of energy later in the day when the rates are lower.

The appliance does have the option to override the commands so the appliances can operate at full power during peak times.

GE will introduce the suite of Energy Management Enabled Appliances in the first quarter of 2009. The new “smart” appliances will include refrigerators, ranges, laundry pairs, microwave ovens, and dishwashers.

September 28, 2008

Myson, Inc. Mirrored TV

Myson‘s Reflection Collection of new mirrored-TV bath accessories matches the styling, quality and finish of Myson Towel Warmers.

Each features a flat-screen LCD TV, UL-approved for bathroom use.

The ultra-thin TV is magnetically secured to the back of the mirror and is not visible except when it’s on.

September 25, 2008

Could This Be In Your Future Countertop?

It’s easy to see why everybody is so exited about Microsoft Surface, the technology and user experience are just amazing, image the possibilities.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP5y7yp06n0]

If you are traveling, you can see Microsoft Surface Virtual Concierge 30-inch tables in the lobbies of five Sheraton Hotel: Boston, New York, Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco. Applications include CityTips with attractions, eateries, shopping, maps, and transportation; a digital jukebox; and SheratonSnapshots, a library of photos of Sheraton resorts.

If you threw a party with the Surface DJ everybody would definitely be in the Kitchen. In fact, it may be impossible to get people to go home. Watch the Video and you’ll want one too.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNb9MSn2ZB4]