Anova a monthly or annual fee to use its well-regarded “smart” features . Subscription costs start on August 21 and apply to special software that controls wireless functions. In other words, you won’t be able to control the device remotely without paying the piper.
The subscription price isn’t exactly exorbitant, $2 a month or $10 a year, but that’s the gist of it. In the old days, we would buy an object and then use that object. End of story. Now everything is a dang subscription. Yes. I wrote those previous sentences in a cartoony old man’s voice, but the point remains.
Anova says the subscription fee will only apply to new users. If you already own an Anova oven and use the app, the company will grandfather you in for free. However, creating an account is now mandatory. Before this change, it was optional. If you’re using an Anova stove in guest mode, get that account right away.
These cookers can be used without the software, but that makes them bare-bones sous vide machines (no problem with that.) The software allows for remote settings, access to status updates, access to recipes, and more. allows
“Our community has literally cooked 100s of millions of times with our app. Unfortunately, every affiliated chef costs us money,” CEO Stephen Svajian wrote in a blog post. Svajian didn’t go into detail about how using simple Bluetooth features is costing the company, but whatever.
The bad news doesn’t end there. It’s Anova of all smart features. This applies to the Bluetooth and Bluetooth + Wi-Fi models of the original Anova Precision Cooker. Even though the change doesn’t go into effect until 2025, even a subscription won’t save these devices.
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