Tag Archives: smart appliances

LG Electronics Battles Tariffs with Subscription-Powered Appliance Strategy

Posted on by

LG Electronics reported Q3 revenue of ₩21.88 trillion and operating profit of ₩688.9 billion, down 1.4% and 8.4% year-over-year. The dip was largely due to tariff costs on U.S. appliance exports and sluggish global demand recovery.

Despite these challenges, LG is leaning into its appliance subscription business, which bundles products with services—offering a steady growth path and recurring revenue. The company is also optimizing global production to reduce tariff impacts.

Meanwhile, the TV division struggled with rising marketing costs and fierce competition. One-time expenses from voluntary retirements also affected profitability.

Looking ahead, LG is prioritizing qualitative growth in B2B sectors like HVAC and vehicle components, while expanding non-hardware businesses such as WebOS and online services. The upcoming IPO of its Indian subsidiary is expected to fuel future investments and restructuring.

More detailed earnings by division will be shared later this month.

LG’s PuroTec™ Ushers in a New Era of Hygiene-First Home Appliances

Posted on by

LG Electronics has officially introduced its cutting-edge antimicrobial material, PuroTec™, to the European market—marking a pivotal moment for hygiene innovation in domestic appliances. Unveiled at K 2025, the world’s leading plastics and rubber trade fair in Düsseldorf, Germany, PuroTec™ is poised to redefine how we think about cleanliness and contamination control in everyday household products.

🔬 What Is PuroTec™?

PuroTec™ is a glass powder-based antimicrobial and antifungal additive. When incorporated into materials like plastic, paint, or rubber—even in small amounts—it actively combats odors and microbial contamination. Its versatility makes it ideal for a wide range of applications, but LG is placing a strong emphasis on its transformative potential in home appliances.

🏠 Domestic Appliances Get a Hygiene Upgrade

At the K Show, LG showcased a lineup of PuroTec™-enhanced products, with a spotlight on washing machines and refrigerators—two appliances that are especially vulnerable to moisture, mold, and bacterial buildup. By embedding PuroTec™ into the materials used in these appliances, LG is offering consumers a smarter, more sanitary solution for everyday living.

Other household items on display included:

– Bathroom fixtures with antimicrobial surfaces 
– Sofas and clothing treated to resist fungal growth 
– Automobile seats designed for cleaner, longer-lasting use 

This innovation aligns with growing consumer demand for health-conscious home environments, especially in the wake of heightened awareness around hygiene and indoor air quality.

Ads on Your Fridge? Samsung’s Family Hub Pilot Sparks Debate

Posted on by

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

Beyond Performance: Elica’s Lhov & NikolaTesla One HP Transform Cooking

Posted on by

Elica, a global leader in kitchen ventilation and cooking appliances, is transforming the heart of the home with its bold, modern vision. Their latest innovations, Lhov and NikolaTesla One HP, go beyond mere performance, making beauty and creative freedom central to the kitchen experience. Whether your style is sleek and urban or classic and traditional, Elica’s range seamlessly adapts to any aesthetic.
Innovation at Its Core: Lhov and NikolaTesla One HP
Among Elica’s standout offerings is the Lhov, an all-in-one system that masterfully integrates an oven, hob, and extractor. Its minimalist design effortlessly blends into any kitchen, highlighting the clean lines and elegance of your culinary space. The Lhov boasts an oven 30% larger than conventional models, allowing you to cook bigger dishes or utilize two hobs simultaneously for unmatched flexibility.
For cooktops, the NikolaTesla One HP stands as an icon, recognized with the prestigious Compasso d’Oro award. This extractor hob marries clean lines with sophisticated materials to elevate your cooking. It redefines the kitchen by harmonizing aesthetics and powerful performance, turning every meal preparation into an exceptional moment.
Smart Features for Culinary Exploration
Elica’s smart features encourage experimentation and fun in the kitchen while delivering professional results. The Lhov’s AirFry mode provides crispy fries or croquettes with minimal oil. Meanwhile, the NikolaTesla One HP’s Tasty Fry optimizes temperature for faster, healthier, and more delicious frying. Another brilliant feature is the Melting mode, which keeps temperatures below 50°C, allowing you to melt butter or chocolate unattended without the risk of burning.
Elica: A Legacy of Leadership
For over 50 years, Elica has been an Italian pioneer, now a world leader in kitchen extraction systems. With 2,600 employees across sites in Italy, Poland, Mexico, and China, the company continues to combine cutting-edge design, innovation, and performance under the leadership of Francesco Casoli.