Gizmodo: centralpark

Whirlpool Plug-and-Play Refrigerator Has Docks for iPod, Photo Frames and Tablet Computers

Jason Chen — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 14:48:25 EST

Whirlpool's latest tech for their refrigerator line is based on their "centralpark" feature, which is a essentially dock that lets you plug in a bunch of different gadgets into the big gadget that holds your food. Among the things that you can dock are the Brandmotion iPod Speaker system, which withstands "the frequent opening and closing of the freezer door" without dropping your iPod onto the ground.

Other interesting dockables are the Clio Vu tablet computer with Wi-Fi and the Quartet Qnote Message Center so you can dry-erase messages to each other and read the time on the digital clock (plus store stuff in its storage drawer). Apparently lots of people spend time computing and iPodding it in the kitchen (we only go there when we want to eat), so Whirlpool wants to eliminate clutter by allowing you to store stuff via their fridges. Interesting take.

Ceiva 8-Inch Digital Picture Frame Now $2,248, Comes with Fridge

Wilson Rothman — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 22:28:55 EDT

Digital-picture frame pioneer Ceiva is jumping the gun on Whirlpool's latest refrigerator announcement, called "centralpark" I believe. The concept has been shown off before, but this is its first production application: it's got a modular interface at the top, and Ceiva (and presumably others) have built something to fit the module. Why did Whirlpool go with a Wi-Fi-enabled LCD frame first? Because the #1 complaint is that magnets no longer stick to modern fridges, and people want to look at their damn baby pics! [Ceiva]

Whirlpool Centralpark Connection: Refrigerator as Data Hub, Entertainment Center

Charlie White — Sun, 28 Jan 2007 11:11:11 EST

Whirlpool wants to make refrigerators even cooler, building its Centralpark port right into the refrigerator door. Centralpark is an interchangeable connection point that'll be a part of a Whirlpool line of connector-enabled refrigerators that let you park and power up a shiny collection of matching devices from Jabil and other partners.

Custom choices will include satellite radio, a Web tablet with interactive message board and family calendar, a digital picture frame, a DVD/CD player and more. The port can also charge up your existing MP3 player, cellphones or any other electronic trinkets.

Nice idea. We wouldn't mind banishing all those devices from the countertops and hanging them onto the fridge, which happens to be the house's most-central location. No word on price, but Whirlpool says it'll be shipping Centralpark this fall. – Charlie White

Product Page [Whirlpool, via Born Rich]
Press Release [Yahoo Finance]