By Vic DaSilva
Contributing Writer, RealTechNews
There are two things I can not go without: coffee and the internet. So, it is only fitting to have these two great entities merge together to form the Beyond Smart Coffee Maker. Java on demand. It works like most coffee makers with a built in ‘Grind and Brew’ feature plus you can program and reschedule from any web browser. They also have a Beyond Smart Microwave and Bread Maker both come with a scan wand for up to 4000 pre-programmed barcodes. Scan the barcode and the machine does the rest. Now, you will never screw up that microwave dinner again. Source: WIRED Home magazine
Prices:
Coffee Maker $130
Microwave $238
Bread Maker $215
I think this might go well under the “doomed till reconfigured” category. According to the website, you need to buy their proprietary wireless card and wireless base station in order to use the $130 coffee pot. So $130 turns into several hundred dollars in order to use the “connectivity” features. Booo.
Why not make it work seamlessly, easily and as-is on an 802.11b/g network? My HP printer does, so a coffee maker could as well.
So, someone smart enough to set up a wireless network can’t follow the heating instructions on their frozen dinner?