In a world that has become packed with smart home products like thermostats, lightbulbs, power outlets, and more, it is only natural for the trend to hit new product categories and for more companies to join in and capitalize on the ever-growing interest in home automation. GE’s new microwave oven is the company’s latest addition to its smart home platform, referred to as WiFi Connect. Noteworthy features include Alexa integration and scan-to-cook technology, offering users the ability to scan barcodes on food products and have cooking instructions sent directly to the microwave.
GE has been manufacturing lightbulbs and other home goods since the late 1800s. Since its establishment, it has developed into a large and well-respected brand that produces products like kitchen appliances, laundry machines, air conditioners, and more.
Over the last decade, the company has put a lot of effort into adding automation and remote control options via smartphones to its products. While its iOS and Android kitchen apps are not highly rated, they do offer convenient features like notifications for when a refrigerator door is left open or when a dishwasher cycle has completed. Giving users peace of mind and less of a need to set custom timers or reminders.
As you might have expected, GE’s new smart microwave does not offer a catchy name, but instead sticks with a long model number that nobody is going to remember. A trend that I think we all hope fades away as non-tech companies learn from larger companies like Google or Apple who tend to give their products a name that tends to stick around.
A standout feature of GE’s new appliance is Alexa integration. Providing the ability to control the microwave with just your voice via the Alexa app or a device that packs Amazon’s virtual assistant, making it easy to defrost, cook and reheat food on-the-fly.
The other feature that the company touts is what it refers to as scan-to-cook, an ability aimed at taking the guesswork out of microwaving frozen foods. Users simply scan the barcode on the back and the microwave’s power level and cooking time will be set accordingly. While this feature may seem a bit silly to some, I can see it coming in handy for food products that require custom power levels.
The new microwave oven is available for order today at Amazon and is priced at $139.99. For a limited time, GE is offering an option that bundles its microwave with an Echo Dot, giving you a great way to get started with Alexa or add another Echo device to your collection.
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