Samsung has announced its ambitious "Screens Everywhere" initiative, which seeks to integrate tablets into a wide range of home appliances, from washing machines to wall ovens. The company's head of R&D for digital appliances, Jeong Seung Moon, believes that this approach will revolutionize the way we interact with our home devices, making household tasks more efficient and accessible. However, this move has also sparked concerns about the potential for ads to infiltrate our personal spaces and the longevity of these smart appliances.

The first products to feature Samsung's new AI Home screens, which are essentially Android tablets built into the appliances, include the Bespoke AI Home washer and dryer, as well as a new model of the Family Hub smart fridge. These screens are not just basic touch control panels, but rather full-fledged tablets that can run apps, control music, display the weather, and even allow users to answer phone calls directly from their appliances. Samsung's SmartThings home control platform and its Samsung Food cooking app are also integrated into these screens.

According to Moon, the key benefits of Samsung's "Screens Everywhere" approach include reducing inefficiencies in household tasks, enabling more intuitive use of appliance features, and improving accessibility. For example, the larger screens can provide specific experiences for each appliance, such as suggesting recipes on the fridge or displaying water and detergent usage on the washing machine. Additionally, the screens can serve as SmartThings Hubs, allowing users to control any smart home device connected to SmartThings from a single interface.

However, this initiative also raises concerns about the potential for ads to become a ubiquitous part of our smart home experience. Amazon has already introduced ads on its Echo Show smart displays, and Samsung's track record with new, obtrusive ads on its Smart TVs is not encouraging. When asked about the possibility of ads on its AI Home screens, Moon stated that Samsung currently does not place ads on its screens and has "no plans regarding the inclusion of advertisements on AI Home screens." However, he also added that any future policies will be guided by what best serves the customer's needs, leaving room for potential changes in the future.

Another concern is the longevity of these smart appliances. With the integration of tablets into appliances, there is a risk that the devices may become obsolete or unresponsive over time, rendering them useless. Samsung's software update program, Smart Forward, aims to bring new features to the screens "for years to come," but this may not be enough to alleviate concerns about the devices' lifespan.

Ultimately, the success of Samsung's "Screens Everywhere" initiative will depend on the company's ability to make its AI Home screens useful and convenient for consumers, while also addressing concerns about ads and longevity. As the smart home market continues to evolve, it remains to be seen whether Samsung's approach will revolutionize the way we interact with our home devices or raise more questions about the role of technology in our personal spaces.