September 11, 2006 A Real Convergence Product Posted by at 12:00 PM | Categories: Innovation

Couldn't help laughing when I saw this fantastic thing. This is a microwave oven with a FM radio. It is a convergence product, isn't it?

Maybe what people really want from the much-hyped convergence is everyday items that really cross the boundaries of conventional product development thinking. The owner of this oven was very delighted when he found the product. The designers of the product have understood what kind of usage patterns there are in many kitches. People listen to radio while cooking or eating. So, let's offer them a radio in a space-saving way!

micro-minimini.jpg


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Comments

At least one manufacturer which name I don't want to advertise here has integrated DVD-player and TV-screen to ventilation hood and refrigerator. For example it's easy to watch really intense and exciting football match while burning your steak. Did I say burning? Yeah. That’s easy...

Posted by: Joonas | September 11, 2006 12:22 PM

Convergence is something probably most seen in mobiles, but mnay other things have them for years, like alarms with weather preictions, tv + vcr's, etc...

btw.. have you used a n70 for the pic? :) it's reflected...

Posted by: Alexandre Silva | September 11, 2006 11:02 PM

Oh yes, I use N70 for visual note taking all the time. Could not live without a camera phone. I have completely stopped using a "traditional" camera since 2002 or 2003.

About convergence - what these guys did was a bold combination based on observations on user behaviour. Microwave oven with a radio does not sound sexy as a product development challenge but it may sell well. I think sometimes innovations can be very simple from technology perspective - it is the idea that counts.

Although personally I would not buy a thing like that as I do not want to listen to radio at home... But many people do.

Posted by: Riitta | September 12, 2006 08:29 AM

I was just wondering, and I guess that since this is a real product it won't be an issue, but wouldn't a microwave "disturb" the reciever? I know for a fact that microwave ovens are used to disrupt 2.4 ghz (wlan) communications, but I guess that that has something to do with them being in the same spectrum. Just a thought :)

Posted by: Jonas Backlund | September 18, 2006 10:08 PM


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