Smart and connected appliances are taking over in your home, though Smart and Connected are two different things.
Smart ovens can come preloaded with programmed menus, allowing for almost one-touch cooking. For example, a Smart range can connect with a roasting probe (or a Sous Vide probe) to ensure that your steak or prime rib roast comes out medium-rare, just the way you wanted it. Some range hood fans can also be connected to the range allowing the fan to turn on and off as needed.
Connected appliances allow for updating or adding additional programming through the wireless internet connection in your home. This feature can be found in ranges, wall ovens, and in washers and dryers though only in selected models.
Front-load and top-loading washers have had a feature called "load-sensing" since California first launched water restrictions in 2015. In essence, the washer adds water and weighs the clothing and sets the correct water level. A load of laundry with three pairs of jeans will use much less water than a full load of bedding.
Some new washers have also added a soap reservoir that, working with the water level sensors will deliver the correct amount of soap suited to the size of the load.
Most dishwashers now have a "sensor" cycle that uses an optical sensor to measure the turbidity (clarity) of the wash water and adjust the water usage and cycle time accordingly. One hour, or fast wash cycles bypass this feature entirely and sacrifice water usage for speed.
Connected washers, dryers and dishwashers can send you a text notification when the cycle is complete. Connected ranges and wall ovens allow you to set the oven to preheat as well as monitor the time and temperature settings through an app for your phone.
The biggest benefit to connected appliances is on the service side, where a service technician can connect to your appliance, diagnose a problem and arrive at your house for the service call with the correct parts required in hand. This saves the need to come out, find out what is required, leave and order parts and come out a second time to actually complete the needed repair.
Some smart appliances allow for some level of control with voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Home. As this technology progresses, watch for even more control. "Hey Google preheat my oven to 400 degrees!"
We haven't arrived at a kitchen right out of The Jetsons yet, but we sure are on the way.