USB Technology Being Incorporated into Whirlpool Washing Machines

There are two harsh realities that we all face when it comes to owning a washer and dryer. The first reality is that we all need one or we will have to be down at the local laundry mat throwing quarters away. Secondly, we all face the reality that our washer and dryer become outdated after just a year. Manufacturers seem to make a new model and then forget about it forever. Whirlpool is trying to change that perception by coming out with a washer and dryer combo that has a built in USB port.

You probably all pondered the same question as to why a washer/dryer combination would need an USB port. The sole reason behind this is that Whirlpool wants to offer a solution your washer/dryer becoming outdated. They have come up with a way to make your system continue to operate at "new" efficiency without making you have to go out and buy a whole new system. You are able to do this because you can upload firmware updates into the firmware built into the washer.

Let me first start off with the design. What we have here is a washer and dryer combination that has a top-load washer. There are about a half-dozen options for you to choose from. Most of these options relate to how you would like to have your close washed depending on what type of clothes you are washing. The cool aspect is that instead of annoying buttons to push everything is done by pushing on a bright LCD touchscreen. It is from this screen that you will be able to select cycles, temperatures, and wash times.

You will then be notified by email (you have to sign up) whenever it is time to update the washer and dryer. All that you need to do is go to the website and download the latest firmware. Once the download is complete you will need to take your USB device and connect it to your washer. An option will display across the LCD screen asking you if you want to upload the latest update. You will select yes and watch your washer become a bit better in a matter of seconds.

Whirlpool has been working on a several different models that you will be able to update through firmware. This will allow the company to alter temperatures and other options to deliver to you more convenience when washing your clothes. I think the incorporation of this technology was ingenious and could help a lot of us from wasting money on newer machines. Once again Whirlpool is above the rest of the competition with their innovative washer and dryers.

Sources:

Whirlpool, www.whirlpool.com, 2010
Steven Mottor, My Own Personal Review, 2010