Niles Audio has released what they claim to be the world’s first plug-and-play touch screen. The TS-1, nicknamed Art, comes preprogrammed for any Niles MultiZone product and can be customized using a PC and their free software. The display is an easy to read, 3.8" (320x240 pixels) high-resolution, gray scale touch screen with LED back lighting... I wish it was color like ones we've been seeing from other companies. A feature I really like is the 7 LED backlit hard keys that allow for quicker access to frequently used system controls. Retail price for this is about $500.

I posted about a smart coffee maker and microwave earlier, but why stop there? Westinghouse is going to be releasing a smart bread maker which will also be part of the same BEYOND product line. It has a scanning wand that takes the guesswork out of baking bread. All you need to do is scan in the barcode on the box and the BEYOND Bread Maker does the rest. Like the microwave, the bread maker also can learn new recipes. It features an easy-to-use point-and-click web interface so you can control and monitor your bread making from anywhere in the world.

If you need some entertainment while cooking, you need to get an iCEBOX entertainment center for your kitchen. It comes in two models, flipscreen or a countertop form factor and includes a television, internet browsing, a DVD/CD player, FM Radio, and home video monitoring. The iCEBOX can be controlled via its touch screen, a remote or the wireless keyboard. These aren't cheap, but if you are a huge Naked Chef fan, then it may be worth the investment.

A few years ago people were saying we'll have internet enabled coffee makers in the future... it is here, its been done! Westinghouse is releasing a $99 coffee maker which is part of their BEYOND line. It will feature a simple point-and-click web interface so you can schedule or start brewing coffee from anywhere in the world. You can even check the status... great for checking to see if a robber is still reading the morning paper and enjoying a warm cup of java.

If all you dream about is that of a connected home, your dream may be coming true, Westinghouse is coming out with a full line of kitchen appliances that will all talk to each other, you don't want the appliances just doing their own thing... they need a leader. That's what the Beyond Home Hub is... its got the looks and the brains that help organize and simplify your daily life. It has a color LCD screen that can display weather information and finanacial updates, it can even tell you when the coffee is ready. When you don't want to be wow'd by all its info, you can use it as a standard CD player or high quality AM/FM radio. The Home Hub runs the Microsoft CE.NET OS and will automatically update itself over the internet. You'll have to wait for this, so start saving... it will retail for $500.

If all your cooking is done with a microwave then Westinghouse's Beyond Microwave was made especially for you. It comes with a scanning wand (a.k.a. barcode reader) and 4,000 pre-programmed barcodes that set up the microwave to cook you the perfect meal. You can even store your own barcodes for that special TV dinner. The unit can update its memory automatically from the Beyond Information Network database so if new artificial foods come out, it won't burn them. Their website shows that it will sell for $179, which seems too good to be true.