Almost a decade since debuting the world’s first smart fridge equipped with a massive Android tablet, Samsung is doubling down on the notion that our appliances need screens—and lots of them.

At CES this year, Samsung introduced its ambitious Screens Everywhere initiative, aiming to integrate 7- and 9-inch vibrant touchscreens, dubbed “AI Home screens,” into a wide array of home appliances such as washers, dryers, ovens, and cooktops.

Last month marked the launch of the first products featuring these new AI Home screens, notably the Bespoke AI Home washer and dryer, as well as an upgraded version of the Family Hub smart fridge—the Bespoke Four Door French Door—now equipped with a more sleek 9-inch screen, compared to its hefty 31-inch counterpart.

But is embedding a tablet into every appliance truly a game-changer? Why not just control everything from your smartphone or a centralized smart home hub? The reality is that these aren’t just touch control panels; they are full-fledged Android tablets capable of running apps—from Samsung’s SmartThings to its cooking app, plus providing entertainment, weather updates, and even allowing you to answer calls right from your washer!

Jeong Seung Moon, Samsung’s EVP and head of Digital Appliances R&D, explains that the Screens Everywhere concept primarily aims to cut down on household inefficiencies, enhance user experience, and improve accessibility. The larger screens make it easier for those with visual impairments to navigate features, a significant advantage.

"Household tasks often spread across various appliances in different rooms, leading to inefficiency, but these screens serve as a central control hub, allowing for streamlined management of your home ecosystem from anywhere, thus saving time and effort," Moon stated.

He also emphasized that these screens can offer tailored experiences. For instance, refrigerators can display recipe suggestions through AI Vision Inside, while ovens can automatically adjust settings for optimal cooking.

While I advocate for smarter controls in home appliances, Samsung’s ambitious Screens Everywhere initiative raises some red flags for me. First, swappable dials and buttons that we trust and know might become relics of the past, prompting concerns about durability. Second, the dreaded reality of ‘screens everywhere’ ominously suggests a future filled with ads.

Despite Moon’s assertion that touchscreens are poised to become the standard in appliance control due to their intuitive nature, I remain skeptical. Do I need to manage my vacuum cleaner or oven through my washing machine? That seems far-fetched.

However, one undeniable benefit exists: those AI Home screens can operate as SmartThings Hubs, granting control over all SmartThings-compatible devices, not just Samsung appliances. Imagine turning on your laundry room lights directly from your washer or answering your video doorbell from the fridge. It’s unconventional but could certainly add a layer of convenience.

On the subject of longevity, Moon mentioned the Smart Forward software update program, promising new features over the years. Yet, this might be of little solace if your cooktop becomes non-responsive after a heavy pan is dropped on its screen.

For now, Samsung maintains there are no advertisements on these AI Home screens, and there are no plans to implement them. Moon clarified, "No plans" isn’t a binding commitment that our laundry days would forever remain ad-free, indicating the future may hold unknowns.

With Amazon already blurring the line with unsolicited ads on its Echo Show smart displays, consumers are right to be cautious. Will Samsung’s promise of ad-free appliances hold firm, or are we facing a road where customer convenience gives way to corporations peddling products in our kitchens? Only time will tell!