What’s Hot at IFA 2024: The Latest Innovations in Consumer Electronics

IFA 2024 has once again brought together the world’s biggest tech giants, unveiling groundbreaking products that will reshape our homes and lifestyles. Whether you’re looking for smart home solutions, cutting-edge entertainment, or sustainable tech innovations, this year’s show is full of exciting advancements in the consumer electronics industry. Here’s a round-up of what’s hot at IFA.

Key Takeaways From IFA

Our team were there on the ground at IFA 2024, getting amongst all the latest technologies and advancements from popular brands including Miele, AEG, Samsung, LG, Bosch and Sharp. 

1. AI Supported Living

It’s a no-brainer that AI was one of the most common themes at IFA 2024. As AI technology becomes more accessible and integrated into consumer electronics and devices, consumers will benefit from a simplified home life. At the 2024 IFA, AI and smart technology were prevalent for many major brands like Samsung, LG, Miele and Bosch, as explored below:

• • AI Ecosystems Help Run The Household: as technology takes over, AI simplifies, supports and enhances a variety of tasks at home.

Users of Samsung’s SmartThings can enjoy a range of benefits including home automation and greater energy efficiency. The SmartThings ecosystem remains at the core of Samsung’s ability to initiate energy efficiency, as it can make lots of small changes to create a big difference. For example, Samsung’s AI Energy Mode can save up to 70% of energy consumption for washing machines. And when using the SmartThings Away Mode users don’t have to worry about forgetting to turn off a light or the TV when they go out. Sensors in various Samsung appliances sense when there is no-one in the room and then power off systems to save energy. Read more about Samsung’s AI automation here. 

Another popular AI and smart home ecosystem is LG’s ThinQ, which has become integrated and accessible via LG’s home appliances. At IFA, LG shared their new dedicated smart home hub, ThinQ ON. The hub can connect and control LG appliances and other smart home devices via Wi-Fi and it turns the device into a smart speaker, using LG’s own voice assistant. LG’s ThinQ ON creates an ecosystem from LG’s smart home devices, turning the home into an intelligently controlled environment.

• • Automatic Food Detection Ovens Transform Home Cooking: AI-assisted home cooking will soon become the norm as ovens from brands like AEG, Bosch and Siemens provide home cooks with the upper hand with automated food detection.

Research shows that over 80% of consumers search for recipes online, with many unsure how to use their oven effectively. AEG’s new cutting-edge oven function AI TasteAssist is designed to bridge this gap. By simply sending the chosen recipe to the oven, AI TasteAssist analyses key factors like timing, temperature and protein type to automatically select optimal cooking settings, helping consumers make the most of ingredients and favourite food types.

Similarly, Bosch has unveiled its new Series 8 sensor oven, with its “smart dish recognition” function. Powered by AI and a built-in camera, the oven can identify up to 80 dishes and suggests the ideal way to cook so that all users have to do is press start!

• • Guided Cooking Across The Kitchen: designed to make home cooking easier for all types of home cooks, is AEG’s new kitchen range which features the CookSmart Touch+ display. The CookSmart Touch+ display is an intuitive control panel that offers step-by-step guidance throughout the whole cooking process. Best of all, AEG’s CookSmart Touch+ display can be accessed across ovens, cooktops and built-in coffee machines, ensuring perfect culinary results within the home!
  • AEG’s new Assisted Dishes function further provides cooking guidance with step-by-step instructions, meanwhile the Assisted Cooking feature means that with a touch of a button, users can easily assign a range of cooking methods like boiling, pan-frying, simmering, melting and Sous-vide modes.

2. Revolutionised Design for Enhanced User Experiences

Elevated design that seeks to enhance functionality, improve sustainability and be aesthetically pleasing was another feature at this year’s IFA. New and impressive designs were showcased, typically to be enjoyed within the kitchen and laundry in the near future, with innovations from brands like Hisense, Sharp and Miele.

• • Sharp’s New Microwave Drawers: featuring a built-in design, oven look and feel, this transformative way to reheat and cook meals also doubles up as a space-saving appliance. Because traditional microwaves with trim kits cannot be installed under the bench due to ventilation issues, the new Sharp microwave drawers, designed to be installed under the bench, helps households to save on countertop space. Users concerned about the safety of pulling hot food out of a microwave at eye level will also appreciate that the Sharp microwave drawer enables easy and safe access to hot dishes with a simple pull-up style, reducing awkward bends. The Sharp microwave drawer also provides greater access benefits for anyone with a disability.

• • Anti-Scratch Induction Cooktop Surfaces: premium kitchen brands such as AEG, Miele and Siemens have introduced induction cooktops with scratch resistant surfaces, helping consumers enjoy the precision cooking and aesthetic induction style for longer.
    • AEG’s SaphirMatt scratch resistant glass is four times more scratch resistant than a conventional ceramic cooktop. Finished in luxurious Matte Black, the AEG SaphirMatt Glass Induction Cooktop is as elegant as it is impressive.
    • Miele’s MattFinish ceramic glass induction cooktops significantly reduce scratches when compared to traditional induction cooktops. All too easily, salt or even sand and grit from vegetables ends up on the glass ceramic surface and with the ability to reduce scratches by up to 80%, MattFinish induction cooktops are set to retain their like-new appearance over time.
    • Siemens’ DiamondProtect induction cooktop coating is designed to do just that – protect the cooktop from wear and tear as well as surface damage from abrasive sponges or salt at the bottom of the pan. Almost as hard as diamonds, the DiamondProtect coating ensures the protected cooktop stays as pristine as possible for lasting elegance. Siemens’ DiamondProtect induction cooktops feature a glossy finish, making them a great alternative to matte finish induction cooktops.

• • Space-Saving Laundry & Refrigeration: Common amongst brands like Haier, LG, Samsung and Hisense are space-saving yet bigger capacity front load washing machines (8-12kg), cleverly incorporated into the existing 60cm width design. In the kitchen, barely-there fridge hinges provide a style update as fridges can increasingly become installed with a built-in look with minimal gap (close to 0cm). While still delivering access to the fridge’s interior with ease, the hinge-free fridges, such as those from Hisense and TCL, ensures food cooling needs are met without taking up too much space.

• • Miele’s Paddleless Washing Drum: a world first, Miele released details of its new W2 Nova washing machine; the world’s first washing machine without internal drum ribs, also known as paddles. Miele’s W2 Nova washing machine boasts the new InfinityCare honeycomb drum design, built without ribs/paddles. Instead of having paddles, the Miele InfinityCare honeycomb drum features large 3D ‘queen cells’ that gently massage clothes, providing that clean feeling without harsh handling and damage to clothes. With greater care of garments, clothes last longer for years of wear and less waste.

    

  • Miele’s Motion Sensor & AutoDoor Washing Drum: soon to be experienced in Miele’s front load washing machines includes its MotionReact sensor which automatically powers on the washing machine when someone approaches the unit. This is perfect for when users have their hands full. Adding to the laundry experience is the auto ComfortOpen door feature which opens when gently nudged – again great for when users have a full laundry basket in their hands.

    

  • Hisense’s Tower Combo Impresses, Washes Delicate Personal Wear: imagine a washing machine where you can throw in your jewellery and glasses and let them be cleaned without a worry. Now you can with Hisense’s new washer dryer tower combo which boasts a unique ultrasonic compartment for hygienic care of jewellery and glasses. Another major development from this Hisense laundry tower combo is its removable glass detergent dosage container – simply fill up once and wash many times. The glass dosage containers can easily be cleaned for hygienic laundry care. And to top it off, this stunning Hisense laundry tower combo stays sleek and smart with its touchscreen control panel intelligently integrated into the door!

3. Sustainable Appliances for Eco-Friendly Homes

Smart home technology is taking centre stage, with a strong focus on energy efficiency and sustainability. Sustainable home appliances will dominate life at home, with laundry and kitchen solutions that are powered by heat pump technology, reusing energy and promoting greater energy efficiency. Brands like AEG, Samsung, Hisense and Haier are redefining home convenience while reducing their environmental footprint.

• • Haier’s New Heat Pump Dishwasher: transforming the dishwashing experience is Haier’s revolutionary new heat pump dishwasher. Powered by an energy-efficient heat pump system that reuses hot air instead of using energy to create new heated air, the dishwasher ensures that washing up is as sustainable as possible. The dishwasher also features a new top washing arm, so that items in the cutlery tray are washed precisely for perfect results! Haier’s heat pump dishwasher boasts a Class A rating, meaning that it’s extremely efficient!

• • New Heat Pump Laundry Combos: expect to see more new washer dryer combos powered by heat pump technology, which reuses hot air instead of using energy to create new heated air. Keep an eye out for heat pump powered washer dryer combos from big brands like Samsung, Hisense, LG, AEG and Bosch.

Final Thoughts: IFA 2024 – A Showcase of Innovation

IFA 2024 has once again demonstrated the incredible pace of technological advancement. From AI-powered home appliances to sustainable innovations, this year’s show has showcased the future of consumer electronics, designed to enhance the way we live, work, and entertain.

Key trends emerging from IFA include:

• AI Integration: AI is becoming increasingly prevalent in home appliances, simplifying tasks and enhancing user experiences.
• Smart Home Ecosystems: Brands like Samsung and LG are expanding their smart home ecosystems to provide comprehensive control and automation.
• Sustainable Solutions: A focus on energy efficiency and sustainability is evident in products like heat pump-powered appliances.
• Enhanced Design: Brands are prioritising design that improves functionality, aesthetics, and user experience.

Overall, IFA 2024 has set the tone for what’s next in the world of consumer electronics, where  technology seamlessly integrates into our daily lives, making our homes more efficient, convenient, and sustainable.

Stay updated on the latest innovations from IFA 2024, only at National Product Review!

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