for the MCE team (and anyone else really)

I have an idea that will put MCE at a huge advantage over it's competitors.  I already spilled the idea at one of the expertzone chatrooms and the guys kinda liked it, but i just want to say it again and add to the idea.

the idea was to be able to control your MCE via mobile (cell) phone.  So say you're in the pub having a few rounds with your mates, and maybe you live alone, or no one else is in the house etc, you realise you've forgotten to record that final episode of friends, now rather than rushing home to record it, how about you get your mobile out, send a text message to a special number that says "friends, 10.30pm, ch4".  Sorted, your MCE PC will now record friends starting at 10.30pm on channel 4 ( you might be screwed if it starts at 11.30, but i'm not sure how this all works, can MS look for the signal of friends in the listings and just choose to record that,  hmm i digress.

What i wanted to add was the ability of the MCE to send your mobile a message telling you that friends has been rescheduled and that "the history of chewing gum" is now on, would you like to proceed with the recording.

P.s.  when you get this feature working, i'll be quite happy to beta test it

An excellent and functional idea!

I played with a similar idea a few years ago. But back then it involved controlling/programming my VCR remotely with a web interface. The whole thing fell on the fact that there needs to be a blank tape in the VCR for it to work.

No such problem with MCE. And controlling it with your phone is a great idea! I like it!
Add the ability to browse the TV schedule and tag shows to be recorded on the mobile phone and you've got a killer app!

In the words of Michael Moore: Thank God for digital!

/Lars

This sounds interesting, it's a great idea!

At home we allways need to tape something for someone etc.

It is a good idea...and I'm sure this could/will be extended to other appliances, also...a working parent could use their phone to check what's in their fridge (or the cupboards) on their way home from work, etc.  What I am also waiting for/hoping for/would like to design is a system that could scan several stores in a user's area, and find the best prices on things, or be able to check their in-store stock of a particular item.  I know they have a website for gas prices for instance.

One day you will be able to 'text' your fridge to check if you have enough milk/butter etc in it. If you don't then it will automatically order it from the local newsagent or supermarket and you can pick it up when you go home. Also how about sending a message to your InternetOven and it will cook your food for you so it is ready when you get back home (obviously you have to prepare it before you leave home first)? It would also refrigerate it so that it does not go off during the day.

Of course, this will make people extrememly lazy and over-weight (stick ready meal in oven/fridge, drive to work, work at desk all day with sandwiches delivered to your desk for lunch, drive home, get food out of oven, and spend the rest of the evening watching Friends on you MCE PC). All food would be ordered through your fridge and it is ready for you when you go to the supermarket.

SBC, why would we drive to work, quite obviously we would work from bed with our tablet PC's

sbc wrote:

One day you will be able to 'text' your fridge to check if you have enough milk/butter etc in it. If you don't then it will automatically order it from the local newsagent or supermarket and you can pick it up when you go home.

It's already been tested. I think the food was also delivered to your door. It's not as good an ideas as it sounds. Basicly because you somehow have to tell the fridge what you put in and what you take out. It's more trouble than its worth. The fact that the fridge was extremly expensive didn't help either.

Swedish Electrolux has been tinkering with this a long time, trying to position their products as the central parts of "intelligent" homes.

Electrolux Debuts Intelligent House (10/25/2000) 

A refrigerator that "thinks" - intelligent refrigerator will simplify homes (March 13, 1999)

/Lars.

The Internet Fridge may be a reality some day though. As for price, it can only go down as the technology improves and more people get one (and people will because they like gadgets and/or they are lazy).

You will still need to tell it what you put in (i.e. frozen chicken and potatoes - weight of chicken still needed) and what you want as a result of the cooking (roast chicken and potatoes). AI is no where near good enough to know that.

I do remember hearing about a microwave that refrigerates your food and cooks it, but I can't quite remember where from.

Jaz wrote:

SBC, why would we drive to work, quite obviously we would work from bed with our tablet PC's

Good point. I suppose you could always have a chauffeur to take you to work. There is always a toilet break as well.