Even if the washer is all eco-friendly with electricity consumption dropping "from 79 watt hours to 72 watt hours and water consumption trickl[ing] down to 67 liters from 72 liters per load," the price is outrageous and keeps us from adding it to our laundry rooms just yet. (Though one of us could use it for his questionable bedsheet stains.) [Discover]

To be conducted in Atlanta homes between today and early September, Laundry Time is built around a connected laundry solution that links a washer and dryer to a home network and sends text messages about the laundry's progress to a computer, TV and/or cell phone. The technology lets consumers manage the laundry process from remote locations such as a grocery store or soccer game, freeing them up to go about their day rather than forcing them to stay home to manage the process.

Whirlpool Tests 'Smart' Washers Controlled by Cell Phones [Mobiledia]

Other notable entries were DustMate shoes which not only let you walk around with a comfy pair of kicks but vacuum your floors at the same time.

Then there's the soft refrigerator, which claims to save energy and space, and can be folded up and carried around so you can use it where and when you need it.

Imagine the Home in 2020 Design Competition [Cool Hunting]