The Associated Press is reporting today that "Four Japanese electronics makers have agreed to work together in developing a common standard to link refrigerators and other home appliances to the Internet. Toshiba Corp., Mitsubishi Electric Corp., Sharp Corp. and Sanyo Electric Co. said Wednesday that the system called 'iReady,' which stands for 'Internet ready' or 'I am ready,' will make network appliances from each of the makers compatible and help reduce development costs... Proposed network appliances include ovens that cook dishes following downloaded recipes and home-heating systems that can be adjusted from mobile phones, the companies said in a joint statement. The companies are asking others to join in developing the technology, including possibilities for offering it overseas, and the first products are expected by next year, Sanyo spokesman Ryan Watson said..."