In the not-so-distant past, microwaves were simple creatures. You pushed a button, turned a dial, or maybe pressed a few overly sensitive touchpads, and voilà—hot food. But modern microwaves, like much of today’s technology, have evolved far beyond their humble origins.
Now, they boast features like Wi-Fi connectivity, voice activation, and apps that can supposedly “enhance your cooking experience.” Which begs the question: why? Who decided that the thing we use to reheat leftovers needed to join the Internet of Things?
The Shocking Shopping Revelation
I didn’t realise how far this madness had gone until I found myself shopping for a new microwave. What I thought would be a simple errand—choose one that heats food evenly and doesn’t sound like a dying robot—turned into an existential crisis in the electrical goods aisle.
Microwaves now have Wi-Fi. So do kettles. And washing machines. There was even a cooker boasting Alexa connectivity. Alexa! Who is standing by the oven shouting, “Alexa, turn off the roast!”? The sheer audacity of these appliances to demand internet access left me baffled. I came for a microwave and left questioning humanity’s priorities.
The Rise of the Smart Microwave
Smart microwaves aren’t just about heating food anymore—they’re about data, convenience, and, apparently, making sure your microwave has a higher IQ than your first computer. With Wi-Fi connectivity, these appliances can connect to your phone, enabling you to:
- Start cooking remotely.
- Download recipes.
- Receive alerts when your lasagna is done (because the beeping wasn’t enough).
It’s the kind of innovation that sounds impressive on paper but feels strangely unnecessary in practice. After all, how often are you sitting on the couch, thinking, If only I could nuke this soup from here?
But Is It Really Convenient?
The idea of controlling your microwave through an app might seem futuristic, but it’s riddled with flaws. For starters, you still have to physically place the food inside the microwave. Unless future models come with robotic arms (and who’s paying for that?), the Wi-Fi functionality only saves you a few steps.
And let’s not forget the nightmare of software glitches. Imagine your microwave refusing to heat because it needs a firmware update. Or worse, the app crashing mid-popcorn, leaving you staring at a half-popped bag and questioning your life choices.
Who Really Benefits?
Manufacturers love the Internet of Things because it turns every appliance into a data goldmine. Your smart microwave isn’t just heating your leftovers—it’s collecting information. How often you cook, what you cook, and even when you cook could all become valuable data sold to third parties.
Does it feel intrusive? Absolutely. Do companies care? Not in the slightest. For them, it’s not about making your life easier—it’s about monetising your reheated curry.
The Absurd Future of Appliances
If your microwave has Wi-Fi, what’s next? A fridge that tweets every time you grab a snack? (Actually, that exists.) A kettle that refuses to boil unless you scan a QR code? A toaster that rates your bread choices?
At some point, the line between innovation and absurdity blurs. We’re hurtling toward a future where every appliance is “smart,” yet none of them seem particularly intelligent.
Back to Basics?
For many of us, the thought of a Wi-Fi-enabled microwave feels unnecessary at best, invasive at worst. Do we really need our appliances to be part of the digital ecosystem? Or would we be better off with simpler machines that just… work?
In the end, the smartest thing your microwave can do might not be connecting to Wi-Fi but simply reheating your pizza without judgment.
James Henshaw is a brooding Geordie export who swapped the industrial grit of Newcastle for the peculiar calm of Lincolnshire—though he’s yet to fully trust the flatness. With a mind as sharp as a stiletto and a penchant for science-tinged musings, James blends the surreal with the everyday, crafting blogs that feel like the lovechild of a physics textbook and a fever dream.
Equally at home dissecting the absurdities of modern life as he is explaining quantum theory with alarming metaphors, James writes with the wit of someone who knows too much and the irreverence of someone who doesn’t care. His posts are infused with a dark humour that dares you to laugh at the strange, the inexplicable, and the occasionally terrifying truths of the universe—whether it’s the unnerving accuracy of Alexa or the existential menace of wasps.
A figure of mystery with a slightly unsettling edge, James is the sort of bloke who’d explain the meaning of life over a pint, but only after a dramatic pause long enough to make you question your own existence. His wit cuts deep, his insights are sharp, and his ability to make the surreal feel strangely plausible keeps readers coming back for more.
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