Google confirms Android-powered dishwashers and light bulbs

Google’s I/O 2011 event is now in full swing and, as usual, there’s been a whole host of new announcements. However, one that probably no one saw coming was the news that Google is going into the home appliances game.

Yes. That’s right – soon you’ll be able to buy Android-powered washing machines, tumble driers, dishwashers and light bulbs.

Sounds bizarre, right? Well, in certain respects it is. But when you consider the level of penetration Android has achieved over the last three years it’s not really that surprising. Doing your washing, or turning lights on and off, with your phone certainly sounds cool to us.

According to The Telegraph, the project is codenamed Project Tungsten and is designed for the sole purpose of getting a range of devices to ‘discover, connect and communicate’ with each other.

Google even demoed Android@home on stage at I/O 2011, showing off a Google tablet that could turn lights on and off, send music from the internet to a media centre and, also, talk to home appliances.

Another cool aspect that Google showed off was its latent NFC technology. In this demo, Google tapped an NFC-enabled device on some speakers and the music began flowing. Obviously, you’ll need both an NFC phone and speakers but it’s certainly a cool use of the technology.

All these new appliance developments by Google will obviously be available via apps from the Android Market, which, once downloaded, will integrate with compatible products in the home.

Looks like Google just got one step closer to inventing 2001’s HAL. Yikes.