In a move that reinforces its reputation as one of the appliance industry’s most forward-thinking brands, Smeg has released its latest Environmental, Social, Economic, and Governance (ESG) report for the year ending 2024. The document, published this week, offers a detailed look at how the Italian manufacturer is aligning its global operations with sustainability and ethical business practices.
From its iconic retro refrigerators to cutting-edge kitchen technology, Smeg has long been known for blending style with substance. But behind the polished steel and pastel finishes lies a deeper mission: to ensure that its production and distribution processes reflect a responsible, future-focused ethos.
According to the report, ESG principles are now central to Smeg’s decision-making across all markets. The company outlines initiatives aimed at reducing environmental impact, fostering inclusive workplaces, and strengthening governance frameworks. These efforts span everything from energy-efficient manufacturing to community engagement and transparent leadership.
The report also touches on Smeg’s economic resilience, highlighting how sustainable growth and long-term value creation are being prioritized over short-term Smeg Sustainability Report 2024
Category Archives: Domestic appliance news,
Ads on Your Fridge? Samsung’s Family Hub Pilot Sparks Debate
Samsung has quietly launched a pilot program in the US that’s turning heads—and not necessarily in a good way. The tech giant is now testing advertisements on its Family Hub refrigerators, transforming the sleek smart appliance into a digital ad platform. For many users, this move feels like an unwelcome intrusion into the heart of their homes.
📲 What’s Changing?
The pilot began this month with an over-the-air software update rolled out to select Family Hub models. Alongside the update came revised Terms of Service and a new Privacy Notice, both of which cover the introduction of ads. These ads appear on the refrigerator’s Cover Screen—the display that activates when idle—but only if users have selected certain themes like Weather, Color, or Daily Board.
Samsung hasn’t confirmed whether the program will expand to other themes or display surfaces. For now, the company says future plans “will depend on the results of the pilot program.”
😠 Customer Backlash
The reaction from users has been swift and vocal. Many are frustrated by the idea of their kitchen appliance doubling as an advertising billboard. After all, the Family Hub is marketed as a premium smart fridge—one that helps manage groceries, stream music, and even mirror your TV. Ads weren’t part of that promise.
This pilot raises broader questions about the future of smart home devices. If your fridge can show ads, what’s next? Your oven? Your washing machine?
🧠 A Sign of Things to Come?
Samsung’s move may be part of a larger trend: monetizing idle screen real estate in connected devices. While it’s not the first company to experiment with this model, the backlash suggests that consumers aren’t quite ready to accept ads in their domestic spaces—especially on devices they’ve already paid a premium for.
Whether this pilot fizzles out or becomes a new norm will depend on user feedback and engagement metrics. But one thing’s clear: the line between tech utility and ad delivery is getting blurrier
Smarter Laundry Starts Here: Meet the Hisense 7S Series
Laundry day just got a serious upgrade. Say goodbye to guesswork and hello to intelligent care with the new Hisense 7S Series—a washer and dryer duo designed to make your life easier, cleaner, and smarter.
🧠 AI-Powered Precision: Super Wash & Super Dry
At the heart of the 7S Series are AI Super Wash and AI Super Dry, two features that redefine what it means to “do laundry.” These smart systems use sensors to analyze your load’s weight, fabric type, and soil level, then automatically select the optimal settings for both washing and drying. The result? Clothes that are perfectly clean and dry—without overwashing, overdrying, or wasting energy.
– AI Super Wash: Tailors temperature, time, and water usage for each load.
– AI Super Dry: Monitors moisture levels and stops the cycle when garments are just right—no more crispy collars or damp jeans.
🔗 Smart Link: Seamless Washer-Dryer Communication
The 7S Series isn’t just smart—it’s connected. Thanks to Smart Link, your washer and dryer talk to each other. Once the wash cycle ends, the dryer automatically selects the best drying program based on what was just washed. It’s like having a laundry assistant who knows exactly what your clothes need.
📱 TFT Color Display: Clarity Meets Control
Navigating laundry settings has never been easier. The dynamic TFT color display offers a sleek, intuitive interface that lets you customize cycles with a tap. Whether you’re selecting a quick wash or activating steam care, the display makes it simple and satisfying.
✨ Bonus Features That Make a Difference
Auto Dosing: Stores detergent for up to 24 loads and dispenses the perfect amount every time.
– Steam Wash & Steam Dry: Eliminates 99.9% of bacteria and reduces wrinkles—so you can skip the ironing board.
– Wi-Fi Connectivity: Control your laundry remotely with the ConnectLife app, even checking the weather to decide if it’s a good day to hang clothes outside.
The Hisense 7S Series isn’t just a washer and dryer—it’s a smarter way to care for your clothes. With AI-driven features, seamless communication, and user-friendly design, it turns laundry from a chore into a breeze
Shark Unveils TurboBlade™ Cool + Heat.
TurboBlade™ Cool + Heat delivers ultimate personalized comfort with virtually limitless customization options for both heating and cooling. Key features include:
Powerful Year-Round Performance: Delivers exceptional dual functionality with bladeless air flow technology for cooling and robust 1500-watt heating capacity for widespread room comfort.
Customizable Coverage: Advanced engineering allows the unit to pivot and twist its fan vents, oscillate for both cooling and heating, and offers adjustable heat louvers to target specific areas or provide whole-room coverage.
Intelligent Heating Modes: Features three distinct heat modes, highlighted by ThermoIQ™ Mode – an intelligent system that automatically monitors and maintains your preferred temperature setting.
Rapid Room Heating: Transforms cold spaces into comfortable environments within minutes through efficient heat dispersion technology.
True Bladeless Cooling: Utilizes air amplification to create smooth, powerful airflow while incorporating Dust Defense screening and easy-clean surfaces for lasting performance.
Convenient Storage: Features remote with magnetic backing for convenient storage.
Breaking Boundaries with MIRO: Midea’s Leap into Humanoid Robotics
At Midea Group, innovation isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a challenge we embrace daily. One of their most ambitious projects recently came to life thanks to the relentless efforts of Dr. Zhengxue Zhou and his team: MIRO, our fully self-developed humanoid robot, has officially joined the production line.
But getting MIRO to operate autonomously wasn’t easy. Pre-set commands fell short of the complexity required on the factory floor. So the team went deeper—analyzing sensor and vision data, refining AI models, and running countless tests to close the gap between concept and capability.
💡 The result? MIRO learned to grasp sheet metal parts and feed them into the line with precision—entirely on its own.
This breakthrough earned our Jingzhou Washing Machine Factory a WRCA World Record for multi-scenario AI agent coverage. It’s a testament to what happens when bold ideas meet real-world execution.
“At Midea, we turn bold ideas into machines that actually work,” says Dr. Zhou.
And MIRO is just the beginning
Meet the nutribullet Flex™: Blending Power That Moves With You
The newest member of the nutribullet family—the nutribullet Flex™ Portable Blender. Designed with mobility, simplicity, and wellness in mind, the Flex™ is more than just a blender—it’s a bold step forward in consumer-first innovation.
✨ What makes Flex™ so special?
– A twist-off base for effortless assembly and cleanup
– A removable, dishwasher-safe blade that makes maintenance a breeze
– A lightweight, travel-friendly vessel that fits seamlessly into your on-the-go lifestyle
Whirlpool seeks investigation into alleged tariff evasion by competitors
A dramatic drop in the price of imported washing machines from South Korea has sparked concern among U.S. appliance giant Whirlpool. Recent data reveals that units once priced at nearly $840 are now entering the market at just $73—a staggering decline that has Whirlpool questioning the fairness of global competition.
🗣️ In a statement released Monday, Whirlpool confirmed it has “shared its concerns about this data with the administration at various levels.” The company has also taken its grievances directly to foreign competitors, including Samsung, LG, and the owner of GE Appliances. Whirlpool emphasized that “recent trade policies can only help level the playing field for U.S. manufacturers if foreign-owned companies play by the rules.”
🇺🇸 With more than a century of manufacturing history in the U.S., Whirlpool says it remains committed to defending its workforce of approximately 20,000 American employees. The company’s message is clear: fair trade isn’t just about policy—it’s about accountability.
Morphy Richards Steals the Spotlight at IFA 2025 with Smart, Sustainable Innovation
IFA 2025 spotlighted the future of tech, and Morphy Richards—an 89-year-old British appliance icon—made a bold statement with its latest smart home innovations.
🏆 Fusion Kettle and Toaster Set won “Best of IFA” from Gadget Flow.
❄️ InfuseChill and MixChill ice makers impressed with customizable flavors and multifunctionality.
☕ The Fully Automatic Coffee Machine drew strong retail interest.
🌬️ Flagship climate systems S1 Pro and Ultra wowed with sleek design and eco-smart tech.
Bloomberg featured the brand in its heatwave coverage, highlighting how climate shifts are driving demand for sustainable cooling solutions.
IFA also fueled global partnerships, with key accounts and influencers like Blin Othman and Jan Březina amplifying Morphy Richards’ reach across Europe and Asia.
AEG The Built-in Vacuum Drawer
The Built-in Vacuum Drawer from the new AEG Kitchen Range now includes a responsive touchscreen TFT display, enabling intuitive access to its different features.
The guided navigation makes it easier for the cook to experiment with techniques like sous-vide, as well as allowing for the faster marinating of food, tenderising of meat and many other benefits, such as the fast preparation of pickle or a cold brew coffee, all leading to perfect restaurant-quality results at home.
Vacuum-packed food also lasts longer in the fridge and takes up less space in the freezer, while the lack of air also reduces the risk of frostbite, all resulting in less potential for food waste.
This product is current rolling out across Europe.
Dreame Goes Big: 30+ New Products, One Bold Vision
Dreame’s latest product launch made waves, introducing over 30 innovations spanning smart cleaning, home appliances, personal care, and wellness. While the tech upgrades impressed, the real headline was Dreame’s bold shift—from a single-category smart cleaning brand to a full-fledged smart home ecosystem. This strategic expansion signals Dreame’s intent to redefine how we live, clean, and connect at home.However, Dreame’s entry into the white goods market, including refrigerators, washing machines, and air conditioners, is indeed late. Haier, Midea, and Gree, the three major white goods companies, have already established strong competitive barriers. Tech companies like Xiaomi are also accelerating their penetration through their ecosystems, making it difficult for Dreame to break through
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