Whirlpool Brand Returns to Consumer Electronics Show With Insightful, Proven Partners for centralpark(TM) Connection
January 07 2008 - 8:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
Whirlpool Brand Refrigerator Integrates Latest Gadgets - iPod
Speaker System, Web Tablet with Organizational Software and Message
Center LAS VEGAS, Jan. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The kitchen is
increasingly known as the "family nerve center," where dinner is
cooked, friends and family gather, kids do homework and parents pay
bills. Whirlpool brand has incorporated these kitchen consumer
insights into the development of the centralpark(TM) connection, a
refrigerator (Model # GD5VVAXT) with a plug-and- play platform,
adding functionality for today's digital consumer. More than 30
percent* of laptop computer, digital photo frame and digital music
player owners currently use their devices in the kitchen -- making
the centralpark(TM) connection a natural step in appliance
evolution. The product also helps today's digital consumer clear
their countertops while powering their devices in one centralized
location: the refrigerator. (Photo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080107/CLM004 ) (Logo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040202/DETU004LOGO ) With the
life cycle of appliances being significantly longer than that of
consumer electronics, Whirlpool brand's platform offers
industry-first flexibility. The centralpark(TM) connection allows
consumers to update their electronics at anytime so multiple
devices can be used interchangeably right on the refrigerator door.
Consumers also may remove the devices for a more standard
refrigerator facade. Currently, the CEIVA Digital Photo Frame is
available at retail locations nationwide. Concepts shown at the
2008 Consumer Electronics Show include Clio(R) Vu web tablet, Cozi
family organizational software, Brandmotion iPod speaker system and
Quartet Qnote(TM) Message Center. "We are proud to be back at the
2008 Consumer Electronics Show with a diverse grocery list of new,
soon-to-market partners," said Phil Pejovich, VP of Whirlpool(R)
Refrigeration, North America. "Depending on each family's needs,
there is a centralpark(TM) connection device to help every
Whirlpool brand consumer accomplish more with his or her day --
from keeping photo displays fresh to organizing family activities."
Currently, the centralpark(TM) connection is available at Best Buy
and hhgregg with an MSRP of $1,999. This unit syncs up with the
compatible CEIVA digital photo frame. CEIVA Digital Photo Frame
CEIVA, Inc. is the inventor of the digital photo frame and provider
of the world's first and only connected Digital Photo Frames(TM).
Designed for the centralpark(TM) connection, the frame is Wi-Fi
ready and features an 8" high- resolution LCD screen with a
built-in card reader. With on-screen menus, the frame is easy to
use and capable of automatically receiving photos sent by camera
phone or through an online CEIVA account. The CEIVA digital picture
frame is available at Best Buy and hhgregg with an MSRP of $249.
Joining the CEIVA frame, the following prototype devices will make
their debut at CES this year. The retail launch date and MSRP of
each will be announced at http://www.onlinecentralpark.com/ as they
become available in 2008. Brandmotion iPod Speaker System
Brandmotion, a current "Made for iPod" Apple licensee, and
authorized iPod accessory manufacturer created a self-charging,
high-quality iPod docking system with dual stereo speakers for use
with the centralpark(TM) connection. The docking station is
specifically designed for use in the kitchen with four large
membrane-type buttons for easy use and cleanup. The docking station
is manufactured to securely hold any size iPod and withstand the
frequent opening and closing of the freezer door. Clio(R) Vu by
Data Evolution Clio(R) Vu, a convertible tablet computer utilizing
the Clio's familiar, award-winning 180o SwingTop(R) design, is one
of the latest options to help clear refrigerators of sticky notes,
traditional notepads and calendars, while keeping grocery lists and
schedules organized. The Clio Vu, equipped with Wi- Fi, can be
removed easily from the centralpark(TM) connection digital hub and
brought along for trips to the corner coffee shop or other errands
and activities. Using the touch screen, keypad or handwriting
device, consumers are easily able to update their schedules and
keep track of their home happenings, without the clutter. Also, the
Clio Vu will give users the freedom to watch movies and look up
recipes online while working in their kitchen. The Clio Vu comes
pre-loaded with Cozi family organizational software. Cozi Family
Organizational Software Cozi, a free software and Web service which
helps busy families manage their schedules, create shopping and
to-do lists, organize household chores and stay in communication,
is one of Whirlpool brand's latest partners. When used with the
centralpark(TM) connection, Cozi is able to provide easy-to-use
solutions in the middle of the action, right on the refrigerator.
In addition to Cozi's calendar, photo and messaging features,
Whirlpool consumers will find it especially helpful to add items to
the Cozi Shopping List right from their kitchen and then receive
the list as a text message on their mobile phone, when away from
home. With Cozi, families stay coordinated, schedules are updated,
groceries are purchased -- all in an effort to simplify and enjoy
family life. Quartet(R) Qnote(TM) Message Center by Acco Brands The
Quartet(R) Qnote(TM) Message Center enables families to share and
communicate important messages from the kitchen. Quartet, maker of
visual solutions for over 50 years, designed the Qnote Message
Center specifically for the centralpark(TM) connection. The message
center, made of durable tempered glass, offers a superior dry-erase
writing surface and ambient surface illumination to bring messages
to light. Interchangeable templates offer customizable layouts to
meet each family's individual lifestyles and unique tastes. A
digital clock with date and timer, and a sliding storage drawer to
keep documents like schedules and menus handy, are all part of
Qnote's organizational features. The Consumer Electronics
Association named the Whirlpool brand refrigerator with the
centralpark(TM) connection as an Innovations 2008 Design and
Engineering Award Honoree in the Home Appliances product category.
The compatible consumer electronics devices and refrigerator are
sold separately. To learn more visit
http://www.whirlpool.com/centralpark. Whirlpool brand
centralpark(TM) connection at CES Whirlpool Brand Innovation Room -
Sands Expo - Booth 70437MP CEIVA Exhibit Space - Las Vegas
Convention Center, South Hall 4 - Booth 35318 Innovations Plus -
Sands Expo and Convention Center/The Venetian - Booth 70621 About
Whirlpool Brand Refrigeration With annual sales of approximately
$18 billion and more than 73,000 employees, Whirlpool Corporation
is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home
appliances. Whirlpool brand refrigeration strives to help make
consumers more efficient and improve their productivity in the
kitchen. The brand enables consumers to get more done with
refrigeration features such as Fast Fill and Measured Fill
technologies, the Fast Fill feature fills any size container twice
as fast compared to previous Whirlpool dispensers and Measured Fill
dispenses water in measured amounts -- cups, ounces, and liters --
at the touch of a button. Recognizing that space is at a premium in
many homes, Whirlpool brand refrigeration developed the In-Door-
Ice(R) system, an ice collection bin installed on the inside of the
freezer door to maximize storage on freezer shelves, while
producing ice just as quickly as traditional ice makers. For
additional information regarding Whirlpool brand refrigeration
please visit http://www.whirlpool.com/ . Information about the
company can be found at http://www.whirlpoolcorp.com/ . *Forrester
Custom Consumer Research on behalf of Whirlpool Corporation.
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080107/CLM004
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040202/DETU004LOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Whirlpool Corporation
CONTACT: Audrey Reed-Granger, Director of Public Relations,
Whirlpool, +1-269-923-7557, ; or Laura Zanzal of Peppercom, for
Whirlpool, +1-212-931-6124, Web site:
http://www.onlinecentralpark.com/
http://www.whirlpool.com/centralpark http://www.whirlpoolcorp.com/
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