Refrigerator has an iPod dock

As I have noted in the past, I could easily have an entire category devoted to nothing but iPod accessories. But there are entire blogs and news sites devoted to the topic. I try to pick out the items that have some broader implications.

The latest iPod accesory is a refrigerator. Whirlpool has released a new model that has an iPod dock, stereo speakers, and interfaces for other gadgets like a digital picture frame and a tablet computer. For years, Design Nine has recommended placing an RF45 (Ethernet) jack behind the refrigerator. The kitchen has always been the central gathering place in most households, and the refrigerator in most homes displays a wild assortment of photos, sticky notes, reminders, grocery lists, and a calendar. And nearby, there is usually a radio for music and news. So it just makes sense to design a "modern" refrigerator that provides better access to things like shared family calendars that might be on a family Web site, printable grocery lists, and digital music.

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