Samsung to Start Showing Ads on Smart Refrigerators in U.S.

Samsung has confirmed it will begin showing ads on Cover Screens of certain Family Hub refrigerators in the U.S through new software update pilot, according to Android Authority.

Samsu

Under the update, some models will begin showing advertisements on the display screen attached to the fridge door when the screen is idle. These screen displays normally show themes like weather, photos, color backgrounds or other decorative content.

The ad content will show only in certain themes such as Weather, Color, and Daily Board. Other themes including Art Mode and Gallery (or picture albums) will remain free of ads under the current pilot. Users will have the ability to dismiss specific ads when they appear. Once an ad is dismissed, that particular advertisement will no longer be shown again during the campaign period.

The ads are rolling out only on select Family Hub models in the U.S. Samsung has not yet released a full list of fridge models that will receive the update. Family Hub refrigerators tend to be high-end appliances, with prices in many cases ranging between about US$1,800 to US$3,500 depending on configuration.

This marks one of the first times Samsung has introduced advertising into an appliance interface in the kitchen. Device owners are reacting with mixed sentiment. Some feel it is unfair to have ads on a product they paid premium prices for. Others see potential trade-offs like lower cost of ownership or additional features supported by advertising revenue.

Samsung says this is just a pilot program aimed at exploring ways to deliver value to their home appliance customers. The company emphasized that ad displays will respect Cover Screen personalization options, that some themes will remain ad-free, and that users can dismiss individual ads.