kitchen1.jpg

The home is getting more connected, and Whirlpool is showing off what the future of the kitchen will look like. They unveiled an interactive cooktop concept at the 2014 International CES that turns a typical kitchen surface into a stovetop.

The surface will also be able to check the weather, find recipes, research cooking tips and post pictures to Facebook.

For now, the concept isn't a reality. And Whirlpool is calling it the kitchen of 2020. It could eventually integrate hands free devices and touchscreens too.

The interactive kitchen will aim to cut down time spent planning and preparing meals so families have more time to enjoy cooking or eating with each other.

While Whirlpool's concept is still ahead in the future, they have something much closer to reality - a connected refrigerator which streams music from any Bluetooth enabled device. The Whirlpool Refrigerator with CoolVoxT Sound System features Harman/Kardon speakers and works with smartphones and tablets to play music, podcasts and other audio through the refrigerator. Pricing details have not yet been announced.