Product preview: Multimedia refrigerators

If the kitchen is the hub of most homes, what’s the hub of most kitchens? Whirlpool and Samsung are betting you’ll say it’s the refrigerator—if it can also play movies, download music, and handle other multimedia tasks beyond cooling, freezing, and drink-dispensing.

Whirlpool’s Centralpark Connection line of side-by-side refrigerators can dock DVD and MP3 players, satellite-radio devices, and digital picture frames and also charge cell phones. Besides uncluttering kitchen countertops, the new refrigerators also put what you’re watching or listening to at eye level and allow easy use in one spot, says Whirlpool. The Centralpark Connection refrigerators should become available later this year and are expected to cost less than $2,000.
Web site: www.whirpool.com

Samsung’s Wireless Ice line of side-by-side refrigerators feature a detachable 10.4-inch wireless touch-sensitive wireless screen you can use to program in food-expiration dates and create flash alerts before food goes bad. You can also toss refrigerator magnets: Family members can share an interactive calendar or leave notes for one another using the keypad or a stylus.
Web site: www.samsung.com

Essential information: To learn more about the pros, cons, and average cost of side-by-sides, French door, top-mount, cabinet depth, and built-in refrigerators, read our buying advice. Features that count will fill you in on which of the refrigerator options are worth the price.