Wired cuisine

A host of Internet-enabled appliances are clamouring to join the Electrolux
Screen Fridge, which began trials last month
(New Scientist, 21 October, p 61).
NCR of Dayton, Ohio, is patenting a wide range of appliances
that can be controlled over the Internet, beginning with a microwave oven that
can cook “intelligently” while you are out (EP 1028604). An infrared video
camera inside the oven creates a thermal image of the food. This is mapped with
colours according to temperature and compared with a library of reference maps
for hot, cooked food. You can view the stored and current…