A Kitchen Computer That's Actually Useful?

twilightzero writes: "I was at the Rochester Area Builders' Home Show (Rochester, MN) today and ran across what looks to be first actually useful and practical computer appliance I've ever seen. Called the iCEBOX, it mounts under your cupboard or sits on your countertop, but I found the under the cupboard model much more attractive. It includes an LCD display on a tilt/swivel mount that locks up out of the way to protect the screen, a DVD drive and with DVD software so you can watch movies or listen to cd's while cooking, cable ready 125 channel tv receiver, and the ability to act as a remote monitor for a camera (as in a baby's room or the front door), useful for all you X-10 owners. But the best touch, IMHO, is the spillproof, shockproof, greaseproof, and washable wireless keyboard that comes with it, an absolute necessity for the kitchen. It also includes a modem and NIC and says it's compatible with any dialup or broadband service that doesn't require the downloading of software (i.e. prodigy yes, AOL no). There's no mention on the website about the hardware or software that it's running but with its name I might assume it's running Windows CE or Pocket PC...not sure though, since it also says it's not compatible with MSN. I'm thinking about redoing my kitchen sometime soon, I might have to put one of these on the list for installation ..."

Comments

the name...

[thebigbadme]

the might have just chosen to call it an iCEBOX because it's a box, they wanted to use jargon (i-). and being for the kitchen wanted to give it some sort of name that would fit in with the rest of your everyday stuff. Ice, commonly found in freezers, or an ice-box, a name for a freezer type thing; iCEBOX or i-cebox, fits right in. Follow?

Windows CE.NET

[Ldir]

If you dig around in the Press section, you can find a little more information. For example, this is quoted from a publication (?) called "Twice", whatever that is:

Icebox, LLC, the makers of a line of kitchen-centric interactive TV terminals, announced here that it will develop an interactive kitchen entertainment terminal as a rapid development partner for Microsoft's Windows CE.NET operating platform. Windows CE.NET is an embedded operating system designed for maximum interoperability between CE devices while allowing a broad range of Internet-based features including instant messaging and home networking capability using such standards as wireless 802.11. Icebox, LLC executives said the "thin client" OS needs minimal storage memory and is said to be ideal for typical CE devices that have only DRAM or internal Flash memory chips to store software programs. Other key benefits of the new version of the OS are said to be: reduced overall cost to consumers, faster delivery of products to market, and an open environment for third party developers to write additional software programs. Also, because device and software interoperability is enhanced, Windows CE.NET products will be less likely to crash, iCEBOX exeuctives said. iCEBOX executives said the new OS should cut down on product development cost since it is designed to require a minimal amount of customization when manufacturers plan to add new features or functions. Earlier iCEBOX products had been based on a Wind River operating system. Home networking and interoperability between CE devices will be enhanced as Microsoft expands its list of manufacturer partners building Windows CE.NET into next-generation devices. As a rapid development partner, iCEBOX has agreed to have a Windows CE.NET-enabled kitchen terminal by the second quarter of the year. The company is demonstrating an early prototype with an undercounter LCD display design at CES. iCEBOX expects its first Window CE.NET product will leverage such applications as Microsoft's calendar system for a family calendar. The company's kitchen terminals combine TV reception with DVD, and CD playback, and Internet access. "We're not inventing anything new, but it's useful," said Heidi Mikkelsen, Icebox's marketing manager. "You can have your morning coffee, see the news and check on the kids. And it doesn't take up a lot of counter space.

Anyone know what their previous products were ("based on a Wind River operating system")? Another blurb mentions that the iCEBOX is from the same people who developed the George Foreman grill.

I agree that they've come up with an ideal form for kitchen use. I'm not sure if it's worth $3000, but it's pretty cool.

Other Information on iCEBOX

[Metrollica]

Since the iCEBOX link is Slashdotted, you can go here instead. You can order the iCEBOX from this page for $3,500.00.

iCEBOX Flipscreen
A complement to any contemporary kitchen, the iCEBOX is the first web-enabled entertainment center designed specifically for the kitchen. This sleek new space-efficient device combines cable-ready television, DVD and Audio CD Player, Internet access and household monitoring - all delivered to you seamlessly and with push-button simplicity. the iCEBOX also comes equipped with a waterproof, wireless keyboard and remote. The perfect union of elegance and innovation, the iCEBOX fits conveniently under a kitchen cabinet and features an adjustable LCD monitor that flips up and out of the way when not in use. Finally, an appliance that recognizes you do more in the kitchen than cook.

Screen Size: 12.1" LCD TFT
Resolution: 800 x 600
Aspect: 4:3
Contrast: 400:1
Weight: 40lbs.
Dimensions: 23.54" x 11.8" x 3.8"
Power: 110Vac, 60 Hz, 230Vac, 50Hz
Ships in two business days
CMI-ICEBOX-000
$3,500.00

There is a news article at USA Today.
Another article on Cnet
And there is the press release here.

Get an Audrey!

[Frank of Earth]

Get an Audrey with a USB ethernet adapter and you have a cheap kitchen internet appliance for a little more than 100 bucks. What's even better is that it runs QNX.

I use my Audrey in my kitchen to pull up recipes, get the weather and even to control my whole house mp3 player.

It's great for doing a quick search when you're too lazy to go to your desktop.