BENTON HARBOR, Mich.,
May 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/
-- Today, Whirlpool Corporation announced several improvements
to the voice-command capabilities among its connected product lines
at the 2018 Google I/O conference in Mountain View, Calif. As part of an ongoing
collaboration with Google Home, Whirlpool Corporation revealed that
updates will include: global availability of remote appliance
control in all regions where Whirlpool Connected appliances are
available; more succinct, user-friendly functional commands; and
plans for expansion of Google Home capabilities to select
appliances from additional Whirlpool Corporation brands.
"We're thrilled to offer a better experience for our consumers
with our smart appliances, not just in the U.S., but now around the
world," said Jason Mathew, Whirlpool
Corporation senior director, Global Connected Strategy. "We're
constantly trying to improve and have worked tirelessly to address
consumer feedback and simplify the command process for those who
are using this connected technology in their own homes."
As part of this upgrade, more than 25 connected appliance models
from the company's Whirlpool and Jenn-Air brands will no longer
require users to state the specific brand when requesting that
their Google Home complete an action. Previously, owners of
connected Whirlpool and Jenn-Air products would have to give a more
lengthy statement to command their devices remotely, such as, "OK
Google, ask Whirlpool to preheat the oven to 350 degrees." Soon,
consumers will be able to simply say, "OK Google, preheat the oven
to 350 degrees." Those 25 models will officially be certified as
"Works with Google Assistant" appliances.
Additionally Google's intelligent personal assistant, Google
Assistant, will soon be available for select connected appliances
worldwide, wherever Whirlpool Connected appliances are available
for purchase. Along with the U.S., that includes regions within
Europe, India, Canada, and Mexico.
Whirlpool Corporation intends to expand Google Home capabilities
to appliances within its KitchenAid and Maytag brands in late
2018.
About Whirlpool Corporation
Whirlpool
Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is the world's leading major home appliance
company, with approximately $21
billion in annual sales, 92,000 employees and 70
manufacturing and technology research centers in 2017. The company
markets Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag,
Consul, Brastemp, Amana, Bauknecht,
Jenn-Air, Indesit and other major brand names in
nearly every country throughout the world. Additional information
about the company can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com, or find us on
Twitter at @WhirlpoolCorp.
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SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation