Whirlpool Brings Proactive Voice Alerts through Google Assistant

Appliances manufacturer Whirlpool is enhancing its voice-command capabilities as a launch collaborator for Google Assistant voice notifications, a new functionality available through Google's intelligent personal assistant software.

Unveiled at Google's I/O Conference, Google Assistant voice notifications will be coming soon on select connected Maytag and Whirlpool washers and dryers manufactured since 2016, and on select connected JennAir and KitchenAid products later this year.. For Whirlpool and Maytag washers and dryers, this will include alerts on the status of laundry and dryer cycles, including notifications of when laundry is ready to be moved to the dryer and when drying is complete.

"As the world's leading kitchen and laundry appliance company, Whirlpool is deeply committed to offering the best possible appliance user experience," said Ludo Beaufils, its vice president of product marketing for North America, in a statement. "Through our ongoing voice collaboration with Google Home, we have introduced industry-leading voice-command capabilities to our products to make them even easier and more enjoyable to use. We are thrilled to be working with Google on Google Assistant voice notifications, as this will help us in our mission of improving life at home for our consumers around the globe."

Owners of supported devices will be able to access the enhanced capabilities of Google Assistant voice notifications through a firmware update at no cost by adjusting the device settings in the Google Home App.

Google Assistant voice notificationsare supported in eight languages, and will be available for select Whirlpool products in the United States, Europe, India, Canada, and Mexico.

As Whirlpool further expands Google Assistant voice notifications support, other connected appliances, such as ovens, refrigerators, and microwaves, will provide users with real-time, proactive alerts.