No waiting for laundry or coffee any more

Laundry machines can text you when available or done with a cycle. It now seems obvious that this will be the norm. We predicted and have imagined smart appliances for a very long time. The refrigerator door needs an LCD for one.

University of Kentucky has the laundry going. It will either text or email you notifications when there's a machine available and when your clothes are done. Small thing by itself, but it improves usage of the facilities and saves a lot of time waiting. I've spent my fair share of time sitting at laundramats. Relaxing, but a huge timesink. [via NPR]

Apple has applied for patents to allow you to put in your coffee order and get notified when your order is ready to pick up at the counter without waiting in line. Once everyone has a connected device, which is already true for the most part with cell phones. They have just been underutilized to date. We haven't adjusted to the possibilities just yet. But it is coming. [via Forbes.com]