Samsung launches its latest Family Hub 2.0 refrigerator – and it talks

Australian families will be able to do more from their refrigerators with the release of Samsung’s Family Hub 2.0.

Building on the original Family Hub released last year, versions 2 models get new features for managing food, connecting with family and friends and entertainment.

Family  Hub 2.0 is also available in two refrigerator configurations – a 671L French Door and a 634L Flat French Door with Entertainer’s Drawer.

On the tech front, the gorgeous 21.5 inch LED touchscreen is the gateway to apps that let you order your groceries from Woolworths, manage family member schedules, stream TV from your Samsung phone or TV, watch online videos, listen to Spotify, order Nespresso coffee pods, set task lists for your kids (or husband) and even connect to your Samsung watching machine or robotic vacuum cleaner.

New in 2.0 is an easier to use interface that lets you customise the home screen and create up to 6 profiles for different family members. Each family member can post photos and notes, share schedules and handwrite memos in real time, even from their smartphones via the Family Hub 2.0 app.

There’s also a voice control system, so you can ask your Family Hub to read you a recipe, tell you your schedule, play a favourite song, check the weather and more, all by saying ‘OK Samsung’ to get its attention. We were told that the Family Hub’s voice system is not the same as ‘Bixby,’ which is Samsung’s more advanced mobile phone based voice-assistant, although we could expect to see the voice control function evolve over the year.

Food management sees improvements too. You can still look inside the fridge remotely via the internal cameras, as well as assign foods expiry dates and reminders. To keep food fresher for longer, there are three separate cooling systems for temperature and humidity control, as well as eliminating odours.

The 3 cooling systems also give you the flexibility to assign one of the compartments as a freezer or refrigerator.

The clever Entertainer’s Drawer has four pre-set temperatures including Aussie essentials like wine, chilled beverages, fresh meat/poultry/fish and deli foods.

The Family Hub 2.0 is available at Harvey Norman and other major retailers now. Pricing includes:

• Family Hub 634L Flat Door French Door (SRF630BFH2) : $6, 1 99 RRP (Harvey Norman Exclusive)

 • Family Hub 671L French Door (SRF671BFH2) : $5,999 RRP