So you think you've got a put-together kitchen with a refrigerator, range, dishwasher and a microwave? Think again.

According to the "Digital Design Study" conducted by the CABA Internet Home Alliance Research Council, your kitchen is not complete without a recipe finder and a digital calendar as well.

The study was based on a survey of 602 homeowners between the ages of 25 and 64 who have broadband Internet access and household incomes of more than $35,000 per year.

Of the 22 concepts presented to this group in the survey, it was revealed that the most desired kitchen innovations are:

• a digital calendar -- that allows you to add appointments and notes for everyone to see

• a recipe projection system for looking up recipes online

• a universal charging station

• an energy usage and monitoring control system.

The goal of this study was to create a prototype of the "Ideal Digital Kitchen" for this spring's Kitchen and Bath Industry Show using products designed to assist but not intimidate homeowners.

Some of the innovations shown in this space-age kitchen are available now or will be soon, such as Whirlpool's "centralpark Connection refrigerator" with a port to connect electronic devices like a digital picture frame, a DVD player or a satellite radio.

Appliance manufacturer LG also offers a side-by-side refrigerator with a 15-inch high-def screen on one door and a LCD screen displaying local weather on the other. The fridge includes 100 pre-loaded recipes, a digital photo album, a calendar and a date/time display.

With all these cutting edge innovations for your kitchen, it seems that "keeping up with the Joneses" is turning into "keeping up with the Jetsons!"

Published: March 4, 2008

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