Anova, a popular brand known for its sous vide cookers, recently announced that they will be introducing a subscription fee for new users who want access to additional features through its mobile companion app. This decision has raised eyebrows among customers and tech enthusiasts alike, especially considering the trend of locking previously free features behind a paywall.
Subscription Fee Details
The subscription fee for Anova’s sous vide cookers will cost $1.99 per month or $9.99 per year for new users who create an account in the app starting on August 21st, 2024. Existing users and those who purchase an Anova cooker before this date can still use all app features for free. However, everyone will be required to create an account moving forward, as account creation was previously optional.
The subscription fee will add various functionalities to the sous vide cookers, depending on the product. These features focus on convenience, such as starting a sous vide cook and adjusting the temperature remotely, receiving cooking status updates, and accessing recipes. Users can also bookmark and share recipes with others through the app.
Anova CEO Stephen Svajian stated that the introduction of the subscription fee was a response to the growing user base. With the community cooking hundreds of millions of times using the app, the demands on their resources have increased significantly. The subscription fee aims to support the app’s maintenance and further development to meet user needs.
The decision by Anova to implement a subscription fee for new users of its sous vide cookers raises questions about the future of technology and user access to essential features. While existing users can continue to enjoy the app’s functionalities for free, the shift towards a subscription model may impact new users’ willingness to invest in the product. As the tech industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how other companies follow suit and whether this approach will become the new norm.