Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Smart Home
  3. Legacy Archives

GE Cafe’s latest refrigerator will make believers out of in-door dispenser skeptics (those killjoys)

Add as a preferred source on Google

GE coffee makerIn a face palm-inducing stroke of “Why haven’t we seen this before” refrigerator genius, GE Cafe’s latest French Door model now includes a hot water dispenser in the door. Capable of delivering up to 10 ounces of hot water at anywhere from 90-185 degrees Fahrenheit in minutes, the Cafe could be responsible for the retirement of a few electric kettles. A simple touchscreen interface allows control over the water temperature, as well as all other refrigerator operations (but no apps, although it can be used as a photo slideshow display). Hot water is dispensed with a push-and-turn motion on a red-ringed knob that lights up when water has reached the requested temperature; the separate knob from the water/ice dispenser lever is a nice safety feature that ensures hot water won’t pour by mistake. As a higher-end line, the Cafe has a number of other sweet features, including an odor filter to pick up nasty leftover smells, a Precise Fill feature that allows measured water dispensing, an on-door ice dispenser, a separate temperature-controlled drawer, and LED lighting throughout. The fridge also features GE’s Brillion connected appliance technology, allowing PC or smartphone control and monitoring of some features, as well as smart-grid control for energy savings (that feature requires purchase of the GE Nucleus control center, and that your utility has smart-grid meters). The new Cafe is available only in Stainless Steel, in 28.6cu. ft. full-depth and 23.1cu. ft. counter-depth models.

Matt Davis
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Matt Davis is a tech wonk, musician, home hacker and family man. He is driven by a love for trivia and an obsessive need to…
Apple TV and HomePod mini with Apple Intelligence could land in 2027
Electronics, Screen, Computer Hardware

The next chapter of Apple Intelligence could start in your living room.  While rumors continue to swirl around foldable iPhones, smart glasses, and camera-equipped AirPods, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggests two of Apple’s most familiar products could be getting Apple Intelligence sooner than expected. 

That means the updated versions of the Apple TV and HomePod mini are currently in advanced testing and could arrive in 2027. If you’re hoping for a dramatic redesign, however, you may want to temper your expectations.

Read more
Jackery’s FridgeGuard is the slimmest fridge backup battery you can buy right now
Jackery’s new lineup ranges from a slim fridge battery to whole-home backup solutions.
jackery-fridgeguard-power-backup

If a blackout has ever cost you a fridge full of groceries, Jackery has a fix for that now. The company is introducing FridgeGuard alongside three new HomePower Series batteries, giving you power backup options for different appliances.

FridgeGuard brings a sleek new look to fridge backup power

Read more
Google’s new $99 Home Speaker offers 360-degree audio and next-gen Gemini perks
However, its most advanced AI-based features are locked behind a monthly subscription.
Sphere, Electronics, Speaker

After six years of waiting, Google has finally released a new smart speaker. The $99 Google Home Speaker is available for pre-order starting today and hits shelves on June 25, 2026. At the core of the speaker is Google's conversational AI assistant: Gemini.

With Gemini, you can now hold natural, multi-step conversations with the speaker rather than issuing individual commands. It understands natural phrasing and logic, so you can speak more naturally without phrasing everything like a voice command.

Read more