Uk-TECHNOLOGY-Beyond - the Kitchen of the Future

Salton, Inc.a leading marketer and distributor of branded, high-quality small appliances, today introduced its Beyond Connected Home product line, a group of networked home products designed to make life simpler, more convenient and fun. Primarily focused in the kitchen, Beyond Connected Products - the Beyond ICEBOX Counter Top, Beyond Microwave, Beyond Bread Maker, Beyond Coffee Maker, and Beyond Home Hub - will be available at retailers in the second quarter of this year. The 2004 Beyond ICEBOX Flip Screen is available now through 275 dealers nationwide.
"People today face increasingly demanding schedules and these new products are designed with that in mind," said Bob Lam son, managing director of Beyond. "They keep up with the pace of life so families can enjoy those few precious moments they get without worry."
In a connected home, networking creates communication between appliances, electronics, security and HVAC systems so the home instinctively knows what needs to be done and when to do it. Salton's initial focus with the Beyond line is connectivity in the most popular room of the house - the kitchen. While excellent everyday products on their own, Beyond products really come alive when networked together, sharing vital information and delivering the convenience of a truly connected home.
A new version of Beyond flagship kitchen entertainment centers, the ICEBOX Counter Top, is designed for the counter rather than mounting under kitchen cabinetry. And for those who prefer overseeing their Beyond products from the comfort of their bedroom, the Home Hub provides that freedom. Both the new ICEBOX Counter Top and the Home Hub can be used as command centers for Beyond appliances, each of which communicates wireless with the other Beyond products. In the near future they will communicate with products of other manufacturers as well.
With broadband Internet access, television, a DVD and CD player, FM radio and home video monitoring capabilities, the Microsoft CE .NET based ICE BOX - both the new Counter Top and 2004 Flip Screen models - brings information, communication and entertainment to busy families, making life in the kitchen more convenient and exciting. The washable keyboard and remote means even spills can't stop the fun.
The Beyond Microwave cooks perfectly and evenly every time with the simple swipe of the bar code on a package of food. It comes programmed with 4,000 bar code settings in memory and updates itself with thousands more when networked with the Home Hub or ICEBOX Counter Top. Users can even add their own UPCs and program cooking times so favorite meals are heated to perfection time and time again.
Perfect, no fuss baking is easier than ever with the Beyond Bread Maker. The Bread Maker is reprogramming with hundreds of UPC codes from bread and cake mixes so flawless baking is as simple as a scan and a beep. New UPCs are automatically added when networked and are easily programmed so there's no product that won't turn out fresh and ready to eat when you are.
The Beyond Coffee Maker conforms to busy schedules with flexible seven-day-a-week programming. 6 a.m. Monday, 7:30 a.m. Friday, 10:00 a.m. Saturday: each day of the week can be programmed with unique brew and shut-off times so coffee is ready right when the user wakes up, or as they head out the door. And if someone forgets to add water for brewing the next day, their Home Hub or Counter Top ICE BOX will remind them.
Besides being a control center for the Connected Home, the Beyond Home Hub doubles as a high-quality clock radio and CD player that's perfect for the bedroom. Leveraging Microsoft Windows CE .NET technology, the Home Hub delivers personalized news, weather, stocks, and more - all the critical information needed to start the day. It is the first tool that connects the bedroom to the rest of the home, adding convenience and control without having to run around the house.
"Contemporary families want life at home to be less complicated so they can focus on the people and things that really matter," added Lamson. "Beyond products are making that possible."
In addition to their practicality, Beyond Connected Home products are designed to complement today's contemporary kitchen. The connected appliances have a sleek stainless steel and black design and LCD screens with bright blue back lights.