Starting August 21, 2024, Anova will charge a subscription fee for new users of its sous vide ovens who want to take advantage of additional features offered by its mobile companion app, including remote control of the device.
Similar to its smart cradle Snoo, which recently locked previously free features into a monthly subscription, Anova’s cost ($1.99 per month or $9.99 per year) is only available to new users who create an account in the app starting August 21. user.
As explained in a blog post shared on the company’s website last week, existing users and those who purchased an Anova cooker before August 21 will still have free access to all of the app’s features, but everyone You need to create an account to use it. Previously, account establishment was optional.
All three sous vide cookers currently available from Anova can be used individually, without the need to install an app. The company says additional features added to the subscription “vary by product.” Most people focus on convenience, including the ability to initiate sous vide cooking and adjust the temperature remotely, cooking status updates, and access to recipes, including bookmarking and sharing with others.
Anova CEO Stephen Svajian explained that subscriptions are the result of a growing user base. “As our community grows, so does the demand on our resources. Our community has cooked millions of times using our apps. Unfortunately, every Connected Chef costs us money. New The fee will be used to “maintain and enhance the application.”
While many users expressed dissatisfaction with the decision in the comments of the blog post, Anova is giving consumers the choice of whether they want to pay more for the company’s products rather than just raising the price of its hardware because digital trends pointed out.
