Limited Apple Watch controls for select Whirlpool appliances coming in 2018

Whirlpool will add Apple Watch support to its app in 2018, allowing users of the wearable to control more than 20 compatible appliances when the technology is fully deployed.

Announced at the Las Vegas 2018 Consumer Electronics Show, users with compatible appliances will be able to check or change oven temperature during a cook cycle, change the type of wash cycle while a clothes washer is in use, or see if a cycle has started or how much time remains on a a cycle. It doesn't appear at this time that the appliance can be turned on remotely by the Apple Watch, though.

Appliances listed as compatible with the technology include the Smart Cabrio washer and dryer, the Smart Front Load washer and dryer. At present, it isn't clear which ovens will work with the technology.

The Whirlpool app for the iPhone already exists. Apple Watch compatibility will arrive "later this year" according to Cnet.

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25 Comments

seanismorris 1624 comments · 8 Years

About 6 years ago

There’s an app no one needs...

I can see people wanting to control the temp in their homes, scheduling the grass watering (or turning it off remotely if it’s raining), controlling the oven, etc. but no one cares managing the dryer/washer remotely.

randominternetperson 3090 comments · 8 Years

seanismorris said:

There’s an app no one needs...

I can see people wanting to control the temp in their homes, scheduling the grass watering (or turning it off remotely if it’s raining), controlling the oven, etc. but no one cares managing the dryer/washer remotely.

I was going to say the same thing, but... Why wouldn't you want to be able to glance at your watch to see how much time is left before the clothes are ready? It's not a major feature, but I can see how it could come in handy from time to time.

mike1 3283 comments · 10 Years

randominternetperson said:

seanismorris said:

There’s an app no one needs...

I can see people wanting to control the temp in their homes, scheduling the grass watering (or turning it off remotely if it’s raining), controlling the oven, etc. but no one cares managing the dryer/washer remotely.

I was going to say the same thing, but... Why wouldn't you want to be able to glance at your watch to see how much time is left before the clothes are ready? It's not a major feature, but I can see how it could come in handy from time to time.

True. Especially if the washer and dryer are on a different floor of the house or in a basement.

zroger73 787 comments · 13 Years

Based on all the trouble I've had out of my Whirlpool and Whirlpool Gold appliances I bought for my new home 5 years ago, the only benefit I'd receive is if this feature would automatically schedule a repair so that I wouldn't have to do it myself.

Based on my purchase of a new Whirlpool refrigerator, dishwasher, range, microwave, and washer, and dryer, I'll NEVER buy Whirlpool again. Ironically, the microwave received the lowest ratings (1 star!!!) and is the ONLY one of those six products that hasn't failed...yet. The washer and dryer have been the most problematic and they were the highest rated models by Consumer Reports at the time! The dishwasher's plastic handle is poorly design and breaks in half every couple of years and the circulation pump has failed. The display on the dryer failed right after the one year warranty expired and parts were no longer available. The refrigerator doesn't like to dispense water, but happily dispenses ice all over the floor.

jbdragon 2311 comments · 10 Years

seanismorris said:

There’s an app no one needs...

I can see people wanting to control the temp in their homes, scheduling the grass watering (or turning it off remotely if it’s raining), controlling the oven, etc. but no one cares managing the dryer/washer remotely.

My Water Heater I installed a couple years ago has Wifi. I have to use the App. But I've found that it's almost worthless. The couple times I wanted to use it for something, I had connection issue with it, or nothing, wondering why I had only warm water. Well the Power was cut off so the Wifi on it didn't even work, let alone warn me. Besides I walk right past it every day, I can plainly see it. Sometimes this so called Smart stuff is just pointless. I'm a growing Homekit house. So some things make sense to smarted up, and other things, no, stick to cheap!