Gorenje puts you in control of your appliances via iPhone

The iPod has many accessories, but Gorenje is bringing the iPod touch into the kitchen and using it in ways we never thought possible. The European company signed a license agreement with Apple and added iPod docks with built-in speakers to its refrigerator line. Not only will you be able to dance to your favorite tunes as you cook, but thanks to an iPod-optimized web portal, you'll be able to control other household appliances around the house without leaving the kitchen.

The fridge/iPod dock combination garnered plenty of attention while on display at the IFA electronics show in Berlin, but as Gizmodo points out, the most attractive feature here is the iGorenje web portal. In the future, Gorenje's plans to release a line of ovens and washing machines with Wi-Fi capabilities that can be remotely controlled through the company's iPod-optimized web portal.

If you have a web connection, you can access the portal from pretty much anywhere to do things like start the washing machine and control the oven's settings. The web portal, which can be found at http://www.i.gorenje.com/, also features recipes, manuals, tips, links (support, supermarket), and even a few music videos from artists like Mary J. Blige and Fall Out Boy.

There's not mention of price or release date, but Gizmodo managed to capture some video of the device in action, so check it out. I like the idea of controlling household appliances from my iPhone, but what I really would love to see is an application that alerts you when you forget to turn off any lights, appliances, or tells you it's time to get your clothes out of the washer. Now that would be seriously helpful for people like me.