Why it matters to you
Speakers, outlets, and a fridge? The only thing this coffee table is missing is a bottle opener.
Imagine you’re watching an NCAA game and you need a beer to help you cope with your busted bracket — and you didn’t have to leave your couch to get one. Sobro has found a way to to add fridge functionality into a coffee table. A prototype of the table was on display at the 2017 International Home and Housewares Show this week, boasting a modern design and plenty of USB ports and outlets for all your gadgets.
The table will have three drawers, one of which is refrigerated. The other, smaller two are for storage. The coffee table actually has a compressor, so it does more than keep beverages cool. You’ll be able to set its temperature to around 37 to 41 degrees Fahrenheit (3 to 5 degrees Celsius) via touchscreens on the tabletop. The controls — which also let you adjust the music you’re playing through the table’s built-in speakers — are under tempered glass and shouldn’t short out if you spill your soda on the table.
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The table will sync to your device via Bluetooth to play music, and its creators also want to make a dongle that will allow it to work with TVs as well. Around the base of the table, there are LED lights, which the touch controls also change. In order to make the controls work, you have to hold down the power button to unlock them, so setting a bowl of chips on the table shouldn’t change the lights from green to blue.
One thing to keep in mind is that this table will obviously have to be plugged in itself, so you might have a cord running across your living room floor. Though it’s significantly discounted on Indiegogo right now ($499), it will eventually retail for $1,500.
Slim Geransar was on hand at the IHH show to talk about the product. He told Digital Trends there are a few design features to work out, such as whether the table will have two or four outlets and making sure everything meets safety standards. The projected ship date is September, but as with any crowdfunding campaign, it’s backer beware.