The IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) created a new specification for Home Network Communication Protocol over IP for Multimedia Household Appliances (IEC 62457).
The new home network protocol allows you to network traditional household appliances with personal computers and audio-visual equipment like TVs.
The washing machine would be able to display a message on your TV screen when its done. This is quite nice as most people have their washing machine away from the living area.
The new standard is due to be published in October 2007 and some products applying its specifications are now on the market in Japan.