Microwave Cooking Via The Internet
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nightlybusiness.org
LINDA O?BRYON: The microwave revolutionized cooking in the 1970?s. Now some manufacturers think the Internet will revolutionize the microwave in this decade. As Diane Eastabrook explains, you don?t have to push a button on your microwave anymore, just let the computer do it.
DIANE EASTABROOK, NIGHTLY BUSINESS REPORT CORRESPONDENT: Point, click, push?the Internet is making microwaving even easier. Goldstar?s Telechef lets consumers download recipes from the company?s Web site into this microwave. The oven then cooks the dish according to the recipe?s directions.
AMI PANDYA, PRODUCT MANAGER, GOLDSTAR: You?re not sitting there thinking of what time, how many minutes? You?re not thinking of power level, should it be high power level or a lower power level? It?s taking the guess work out of cooking.
EASTABROOK: At the International Houseware Show, a handful of appliance companies are displaying Internet connected microwave ovens that should go on sale in the U.S. sometime next year. Sharp?s Internet microwave is on sale now in Japan. It also cooks recipes downloaded from the Internet. Samsung has developed a prototype microwave that would compete with the Goldstar and Sharp. Samsung is also developing a second Internet microwave with help from two Rutgers University professors. This system could also take information provided in bar codes to cook frozen or processed foods.
RAYMOND SABA, FOOD SCIENCE DIRECTOR, RUTGERS UNIVERSITY: When you scan it, it knows exactly what this oven power is and it prepares it perfectly because that knowledge, the food science knowledge is built into the code.
EASTABROOK: The manufacturers say they see no reason why Internet technology couldn?t be extended to other appliances later if the microwaves are hot sellers. But that may be tough since they currently are expected to cost between $600 and $1,000. Some manufacturers admit the Internet connected appliances are still too pricey for most consumers, but they are hoping to refine the technology further so the products are more affordable when they hit U.S. stores next year. Diane Eastabrook, NIGHTLY BUSINESS REPORT, Chicago.
Whether they are an ELON partner or not at least other are advancing their ideas. |
