I'm as geeky as it gets when it comes to builders. I loves-me-some-gadgets. So I think it's with legitimate authority that I ask, "What is it with the digital refrigerator that has never, nor will ever, catch on?"

Whirlpool is at it again with the Whirlpool Gold refrigerator with what they call the centralpark "Connection." The jest of the idea is to make the refrigerator a digital hub of sorts, with swappable components that can deliver television programming, web surfing, grocery management, and whatever else they come up with.

It's been several years since this idea was to be the great rage of the kitchen and digital revolution. From TV and music, to email and web, and even "auto-scanning" your groceries as you stored them and removed them in order to let you know right after you pour that last bowl of cereal that, "Hey, you're out of milk!" and then you could go hop in your flying car to re-stock. That is, if you didn't prefer to have your food delivered, or particle-generated, in this hypothetical future.

I've recently checked with my appliance supplier on emerging appliance technologies for a national article I was participating in and this topic came up. They're one of the largest suppliers in the southern mid-west, and he said they've never. sold. one. I just don't see this one catching on.

I'll leave the email and web surfing to my MacBook Pro, which sits on the island just a few feet from the fridge doing just what it was designed to do: cool my food and keep it fresh.