Jeddah - A new model of refrigerator with an inbuilt TV screen made its debut here yesterday. "This is the first refrigerator with a 13-inch TV screen and radio functions," a top LG Electronics executive said yesterday.
This was one of the two new models of refrigerators LG has introduced, which incorporate further improvements in style, convenience and functionality. One is a full-size, side-by-side refrigerator with a 13-inch TFT LCD TV monitor and radio functions, while the other is an 'Xtrawide' three-door, side-by-side model. "With the introduction of the new refrigerators, LG will further consolidate its leadership position," LG General Manager C.K. Cho told a press conference.
The Korean electronics giant introduced the TV refrigerator, following a research study conducted across the Kingdom. The survey has revealed that today's multi-tasking men and women want to use their kitchen for leisure time and entertainment as much as for cooking.
"LG is the first to introduce a TV refrigerator, which will allow consumers to enjoy music, movies, satellite broadcasting and cable TV in the kitchen," Jeff Roh, Jeddah-based senior manager at LG, said in his presentation. "We believe in offering the latest in cutting-edge technology, and our association with LG ensures we offer the latest and most striking products," H.K. Seo, managing director at United Yousef M. Naghi Co. Ltd. (UYMN), said. "LG is No. 1 for its refrigerator sales in the Kingdom with a market share of 23 percent. We expect our refrigerator sales revenue to increase to $40 million by 2005-end from $30 million last year," Majid Ragaban, general manager at UYMN, said.
A segmented freezer drawer at the base of the refrigerator increases both convenience and storage capacity, as it slides to facilitate loading from the wide. The TV refrigerator has a capacity of 27 cubic feet, while its three-door, side-by-side twin is slightly smaller with a gross capacity of 25 cubic feet. The three-door, side-by-side refrigerator features extra wide storage space in the form of adjustable bins and drawers, and five digital sensors for accurate temperature controls to ensure food preservation and freshness. It also has a tilting freezer door for easy access to inner drawers.
LG has been able to set the pace for advance digital appliance technology with its investment in R&D together with detailed consumer research.
By Khalil Hanware & K.S. Ramkumar
© Arab News 2005
