Shiny Hands On: Electrolux's Screenfridge

LG just announced a TV fridge (more of that in a sec) and now Electrolux has produced this computer fridge complete with wireless internet connection. Prototypes have been knocking about for a while, but this is the first time a fridgefreezer with a computer on board has been unleashed on the buying public in the UK. Not that many people are going to be able to fit such an enormous product into their kitchen, nor afford the £5000 price tag that's attached. I saw it in action last night and you can find out what I thought of it (and see more pics) after the jump.

iFirst off, I have to say it seemed to be running pretty slow. In fairness it wasn't an ideal testing ground - the basement floor of a trendy bar - but you'd think that with all that cooling power behind it, the processor would be running like a whippet.

Details on the specs (processor speeds etc) seemed a little thin on the ground, but I can tell you that it runs Windows XP, has a 15-inch touchscreen and comes with a tailor-made intranet user interface tacked on the top. It's been designed to be the home's central hub and Electrolux has created a messaging system and a Calendar that can keep track of all the family, as well as including a radio, MP3 player, support for TV over the wireless broadband connection, and a printing set up that means you can print off your recipes and what not over the network.

It also comes with email and a digital camcorder above the screen, so if you want to record messages for your family you save them straight off for everyone to view later. I would have liked more time to have a go with the Screenfridge myself, but we got ushered out before I got the chance.

It's certainly an interesting idea, and it could well be something that we'll all end up using in the future, but not only was was a very expensive, high end product, I wasn't totally convinced that it could keep up with the demands of a busy household. Pages seemed to take a while to load up, and the array of touchscreen icons looked like they'd take a while to get used to.

Remember, if you want to ask Electrolux any questions (about this or any other new product), Tech Digest is running an interview soon. So head over there to add your questions - or just pop them at the bottom of this post (along with any thoughts you've got on the Screenfridge).