From: The Dryer FW: Your pillows are fluffed

A new prototype machine called Laundry Time allows you to receive wireless notifications on your cell phone or e-mail about laundry loads while you're away from home.

Five of the world's largest corporations - Microsoft, Whirlpool, Proctor and Gamble, Panasonic and Cingular Wireless - have teamed up on this "smart home" technology, as they call it.

The notifications sent by the machine can tell you whether the lint filter is clogged, or when the load is too large, according to company officials.

The officials say the technology combines a wireless network, two TV tuners and Microsoft Media Server software to send the messages.

Along with receiving messages, say officials, you will also be able to send some back to the machine, enabling it to do things like starting a new load of laundry or fluffing the current load.

The Laundry Time folks predict it will be at least a year until the actual machine hits the marketplace.

Officials with the company predict that current laundry machines could be modified in order to make the technology more appealing to consumers.

Three Atlanta-based families will be testing the machine for the next six months, according to Internet Home Alliance, which is launching a study to observe the prototype in action.

Photography: iStock Photo

Source: Discovery Channel Reports, July 24