(Credit: Andrew Gebhart)
LAS VEGAS—Launched at CES, the GE Profile Smart Fridge builds on the company's popular non-smart model with several notable upgrades. For starters, a touch screen above the ice dispenser lets you browse recipes and access widgets for information like the weather. The water dispenser can automatically detect the size of your cup and pour the right amount—or you can specify an exact amount for precise cooking measurements. Inside, a camera captures images of your fruit and vegetable drawers whenever you open them, while a barcode scanner beneath the dispenser makes it easy to add items to your grocery list.
The fridge itself is a premium four-door model, with French doors on top that open to a backlit compartment. The freezer drawer slides out from the bottom. A drawer in the middle features variable temperature settings tailored to your needs.
As far as smarts, that barcode feature is the most unique feature here. I got to see it in action, and it worked quickly and accurately in a controlled demo environment. I scanned a bottle of mustard, and the green light shining under the dispenser registered the barcode in roughly a second, adding it to a shopping list that I could access on the touch screen or through the company's app.
(Credit: Andrew Gebhart)The idea is that you scan products as you’re about to run out, rather than when you first receive them, as a reminder to replenish them. A rep noted that the scanner can already recognize four million different barcodes, but you can also manually add items if you scan something that isn't recognized or that doesn't have a barcode.
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While the refrigerator is compatible with Alexa and Google, the grocery list won’t be able to sync with one from a third-party service at launch, so you’ll need to use the first-party app called SmartHQ. The refrigerator will respond to voice commands after you use the “Hey HQ” wake phrase. You can add items to your grocery list with voice commands, ask it to fill your glass, or inquire about maintenance or other settings.
A camera is located in the refrigerator on top of the interior, near the light. It points inward and automatically snaps pictures of the drawers when you open them. From the SmartHQ app, you can then quickly pull up the last five pictures taken of either drawer for a quick reference of what you have at home when you’re out shopping. You can also use the camera to take pictures of your food to search for recipes that use those ingredients.
Finally, the refrigerator can dispense a precise amount of water automatically. I didn’t get to see this feature in action, but you can ask for a specific amount, which is especially helpful when cooking.
All this functionality comes at a price. The GE Profile Smart Fridge will be available starting in April for $4,899.