This week’s Smart Living roundup features a new sensor that makes dumb appliances smart, an online retailer’s secret smart kitchen project, and a smart memory spoon that’s really stirring things up.

LG debuts smart sensor, appliances at IFA

The IFA 2015 show is just a few days away and some in the tech industry are revealing early plans for what they have in store for attendees.

LG Electronics, Inc. announced that it will be showcasing the SmartThinQ sensor at the event. The sensor can be attached to many traditional home appliances to add some smart functionality, such as getting a notification when the laundry is done, or when the filter in the air conditioning unit needs to be replaced. The device doesn’t really make the appliances smart, but by attaching the SmartThinQ sensor to an appliance, it will relay information to SmartThinQ app on users’ smartphones so the user can take action immediately.

LG also revealed that two smart appliances will be making their way to IFA 2015. One is the Smart Lightwave Oven and the other the Smart Air Conditioner that are both compatible with AllJoyn, the open platform for the Internet of Things developed by the Allseen Alliance.

The Smart Lightwave Oven allows users to download, update and share recipes with friends and relatives via their mobile devices; is Wi-Fi enabled to allows homeowners to remotely set the cooking mode, temperature and cooking time for a given dish; and perform self-diagnosis and help find solutions and repair information online through an LG service center. As for the Smart Air Conditioner, the unit is able to inform owners when to replace air filter and can be controlled remotely using a smartphone app.

Amazon allegedly working on smart kitchen computer

A report from the Wall Street Journal revealed that Amazon’s consumer device department is facing troubled times as the mega-retailer is restructuring Lab126, the division responsible for cooking up gadgets such as the Fire tablets, Echo and Dash Buttons, and has even suffered layoffs. Despite the bad news, Amazon is far from throwing in the towel when it comes to developing products, as the WSJ noted that the online retail giant is working on a new project called Kabinet.

Kabinet is described as a high-end computer for the kitchen “designed to serve as a hub for an Internet-connected home and capable of taking voice commands for tasks like ordering merchandise from Amazon.com.”

Some have noted that Kabinet sounds a lot like Echo, but are assuming that it is a totally different device and will include a screen.

Maille Discovery Spoon

Mustard can be an acquired taste and different versions appeal to different tastebuds, so if you ever find a mustard that you really like, you try your best to remember the brand/flavor for future purchases. 

To address the conundrum of remembering your favorite mustard flavors, and to keep things interesting in the kitchen, specialty mustard brand Maille unveiled the Discovery Spoon. The high-tech spoons were created in collaboration with tech wizards Hirsch and Mann. The smart spoons are handcrafted with embedded RFID programmed to save your favorite Maille mustard from the selection of 45 flavors.

Each mustard has a sensor in front of it. Once you taste a mustard you like, tap the Discovery Spoon on the sensor and your choice is immediately uploaded. You then leave your contact details on an iPad hooked up to an input device that looks like an old typewriter. Your choice of mustard is then emailed to you, along with tasting notes and suggestions for how to best enjoy Maille’s wares in the future.

Though this is something you might want to try out for yourself, unless you are living or visiting London, chances are you won’t be trying this anytime soon as it is only available at Maille’s Piccadilly Boutique at the moment.

Photo by Dept of Energy Solar Decathlon