HousewaresNews

March 12/PRNewswire/ -- Weber-Stephen Products Co., fresh off the success of its complete styling revamp of all its stationary cart gas grills last year, continues to add more new products and the best in features to bolster its 2008 Weber brand line-up. Available in stores later this month, seven new gas grills under the Weber brand will be added to an already extensive group of Spirit, Genesis, and Summit models.

"Our mission for this year is to continue listening to our consumers and improve upon our overwhelming success in 2007," according to Weber-Stephen Products Co. Executive Vice President Mike Kempster Sr. "We consistently ask for and get feedback from our consumers about how they use their grills and what kind of features they want. They're very much a partner in our product decisions, and our new grills reflect that." Read more

Feb. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- International Builders Show -- Today, Kenmore unveiled a breakthrough in refrigeration technology with the addition of crisper drawers with Microban antimicrobial product protection. Featuring Microban antimicrobial technology, the new crisper drawer will remain fresh longer between cleanings(1) and deliver peace of mind to busy parents and homeowners.

Breathe Easy: Microban Antimicrobial Technology Meets Kenmore Innovation
In new Kenmore refrigeration models, the crisper drawer is infused with Microban antimicrobial protection to continuously inhibit the growth of stain and odor causing bacteria. This technology, available in more than 750 products worldwide, debuts in Kenmore refrigeration in April 2008. Read more

Feb. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Energizer is helping home owners see the dark in a new light by launching the Energizer Light on Demand line. The first-of-its-kind home lighting product line provides continual lighting by brightening homes on a day-to-day basis, but also stays on when the power goes out. The line is made up of seven different products, each of which uses a unique light stick that is battery operated and can stay on when normal electricity goes out. Energizer Light on Demand products are easy to install, energy-efficient and affordable, offering a variety of home lighting solutions for any room in the house.

The Energizer Light on Demand line was developed based on consumer research, which found a growing demand for products that work everyday, as well as in an emergency, such as when standard electricity goes out. Through research, Energizer also found that millions of people suffer from power outages each year, which creates a lot of frustration and lighting concerns for homeowners. This new home lighting line satisfies consumers' needs by providing a solution to ensure home owners won't be left in the dark during the next power outage. Read more

January 3, 2008 – Thomson and Google have partnered to help consumers save money on 411 business information calls by integrating the first ever one-touch, auto-dial GOOG-411 button into many of its latest GE-branded DECT 6.0 Interference Free phones for 2008. One of many new innovative features for consumers from Thomson, GOOG-411 is Google's free, voice-activated, business directory assistance service, and the GOOG-411 button will be incorporated on more than a dozen GE phones, which will be available in April. The first chance to see the new GE DECT 6.0 phones with the GOOG-411 button will be during the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show at the Thomson/GE booth #20901 South Hall, Las Vegas Convention Center.

"While some people still use the 'phone book,' most traditional paper versions these days are remarkably incomplete and do not fit today's fast paced lifestyle," said Tom Bratton, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Thomson Consumer Network Solutions. "In America alone, more than $18 million is spent on business information calls daily! That amounts to about $7 billion dollars spent per year. We believe that consumers will appreciate the ability to use GOOG-411, making free business information calls at the push of a single button." Read more

Nov. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Whirlpool Corporation declares steam this holiday season's hottest appliance trend. As consumers consider their big- ticket purchases, Whirlpool provides a look at steam-enabled products that can help get it all done this holiday season.

Steam has been around since the earth met the sun. It's completely natural, highly versatile and 100 percent biodegradable. Today, Whirlpool steam products, which include washers, dryers, dishwashers and ovens, harness the power of steam to do everything from cleaning and cooking to sanitizing and shining. Read more

Nov. 13, 2007 – iRobot Corp. today announced the iRobot Looj Gutter Cleaning Robot has been honored with the 2008 International Consumer Electronic Showcase (CES) Best of Innovations Design and Engineering Award, receiving the judges' highest scores in the Home Appliance category. The iRobot Looj is the company's third home appliance product to receive a CES Best of Innovations Award in four years.

"iRobot's products are designed to free consumers from dull, dirty, and dangerous tasks, allowing them to do more of what they want to do and less of what they have to do,” Sandra B. Lawrence, president and general manager of iRobot Home Robots said. "We are pleased iRobot's design innovation and commitment to create a whole new category of practical and affordable household helpers, such as the iRobot Roomba, iRobot Scooba and iRobot Looj, continues to be recognized by CES.” Read more

Nov. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Weber-Stephen Products Co. introduced its new Weber Char Q portable charcoal grill today -- a product that further extends its wildly popular line of Weber® Q™ portable and stationary cart gas grills.

In stores this month, the Weber Char Q looks similar to the company's six Weber Q gas grills with the same unique, futuristic, and European design. While among the most portable in the line (it weighs only 32 pounds), this charcoal grill packs a solid punch under its durable cast-aluminum lid. Read more

Oct. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Whirlpool brand, the global laundry leader and developer of the country's best-selling front- load pair, introduces the next level of technology and thought for laundry. The Whirlpool brand Aspen Green Duet Steam pair offers a dual steam solution, and even more insight and efficiency in a crisp new green package.

Steaming with Seven Insights
There are seven insights driving what Whirlpool brand leadership refers to as the brand's most ambitious laundry offering to date. The following laundry list of insights will be addressed (by number) throughout the release. Read more

Oct. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the recent Weber Tailgating Study™, a whopping 62 percent of tailgaters who bring a grill to a tailgate party opt for a charcoal grill. However, more folks are opting to use gas grills (48 percent) than two years ago (42 percent) or even three years ago (46 percent). The percentage who bring smokers (9 percent) and electric models (5 percent) has stayed consistent over the past couple years.

Apparently more is the rule of thumb among the tailgate crowd, as 44 percent of Americans who grill at tailgate parties say they fire up two or more grills, including 8 percent who fire up at least three grills. Those who always grill at tailgates are nearly three times more likely to have multiple grills at the party (54 percent) than those who sometimes grill (20 percent). Read more

Sept. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Maytag brand dishwashers now feature an industry-leading SteamClean option to get glassware clean the first time, every time. Thanks to this high-heat option, the dishwashers remove even the most stubborn residue and spots from glassware, delivering more powerful cleaning performance than ever before.

Whirlpool Corporation, which acquired Maytag brand in 2006, is the first in the industry to launch a steam option in dishwashers. The new SteamClean option further enhances the proven performance and powerful components already found in Maytag brand dishwashers and reduces pre-washing and re-washing. Read more