Samsung Smart Fridge…
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Samsung’s expensive smart fridges are now using their built-in screens to show ads in kitchens across the US. A new software update landed earlier this week bringing ads to Samsung’s Family Hub products.
The plans were confirmed to Android Authority in a statement on what Samsung is referring to as a pilot program. Samsung says it will be showing “promotions and curated advertisements” to users for the foreseeable future. It also says the move will “strengthen” its home appliances “every day value” for customers.
Samsung first teased this move back in May, and the scheme began rolling out earlier this week. The release notes say, “To enhance our service and offer additional content to users, advertisements will be displayed on the Cover Screen for the Weather, Color, and Daily Board themes.”
The brand has said those using the Art or Gallery themes on their Family Hub fridge will not get ads during the pilot program. If you own one of these fridges, you may want to opt for one of these themes to avoid promotions.
There’s currently no way to turn the ads off entirely. However, individual ads can be removed. Samsung says, “Advertisements can be dismissed on the Cover Screens where ads are shown, meaning that specific ads will not appear again during the campaign period.”
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Samsung has yet to confirm which specific versions of its Family Hub fridges are getting the ads. Models vary from its cheapest $1,799 fridge, through to a top-end model that sells for $3,399.
Back in April, a Samsung representative told The Verge it had no plans at that time to bring ads to its smart home screens. Jeong Seung Moon, head of the R&D for the Digital Appliances Business at Samsung, said, “Currently, we do not place ads on our screens, and we do not have plans regarding the inclusion of advertisements on AI Home screens.”
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