Electronic shopping list

Consumers may soon be able to update their shopping list as they run out of items by scanning the item past an inbuilt scanner on the fridge door, and then being able to access the list from a mobile phone while in the supermarket.

Telstra recently unveiled Australia's first demonstration of wireless Internet and convergence of home appliance networking with the Internet Fridge. Telstra's Managing Director, Mobiles, Jonathan Marchbank, said this demonstration of convergence has been made possible by using Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), a new industry standard that enables compatible mobile phones to interact with the Internet.

 Telstra expects to make services such as this available towards the end of the year. Telstra Research Laboratories (TRL) has developed, in conjunction with Email Appliances and IHG Limited, a prototype Internet Fridge, known as the Masternet LMS (Lifestyle Management Systems). The Masternet LMS has its own e-mail address, bar code scanner and a touch screen. With WAP technology, mobile phones can remotely access the Masternet LMS to collect shopping lists, program the VCR, check the house security, control the air conditioning, turn on the lights or control the spa.

Virginia Murphy, Telstra mobiles; tel: (03) 9252 1336, email: vmurphy@vmcsmoss.telstra.com.au, web: www.telstra.com.au

Electronic shopping list, Food Australia, Vol 51, No 9, September, 1999, p. 422.

Reproduced with permission from Food Australia.