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Beanzawave USB-powered microwave, another good reason to never leave your desk
Heinz is flirting with the idea of turning its prototype Beanzawave — which the company hails as the smallest microwave in the world, powered by USB — into a real product. The main barrier to entry right now is the fact that it'd be expensive given its component cost, hitting shelves at a wince-worthy $160. That's a lot of scratch to warm up some beans.
The company came up with the microwave after the success of its "Snap Tops" in the UK, which are a lot like the single-serving cans of Chef Boyardee products you can get here in the States. The Beanzawave would be able to heat one up for you, all without the need to get up. We're a little dubious about it handling anything more, though the wattage of the 'wave isn't supplied.
The kicker, though, is that Heinz won't go forward with the Beanzawave unless there's interest. At a tiny 7.4 inches tall, 6.2 inches wide and 5.9 inches deep, it certainly is portable, and could go with you anywhere your laptop does. At the same time, I just get this horrible image in my head of a USB-powered life, owning a Beanzawave, clothing that also acts as pillows and (shudder) a solution for answering nature's calls at my desk and suddenly never having to stand up again.
Fast Company, via Geekologie
By Xanapus at 4:16 PM ON 06/09/09
Yeah the one thing I want to be eating at my desk is beans. I don't think so.
Now if there was a hot pockets shaped microwave then that's a different story. Then again I would have to keep the box of hot pockets in an igloo lunch box with ice packs to keep them cold until I'm ready for them.
By Mr. Gumsandals at 6:19 PM ON 06/09/09
Trust me, none of your fellow workers want you eating beans at your desk either.
By Jessireebob!!!i! at 6:46 PM ON 06/09/09
As long as it is big enough so that I can make popcorn with it, it'd be awesome..if free.
By thealmightymonky at 9:50 PM ON 06/09/09
Is there really any doubt that there would be interest? Oh and by the way Xanapus, as any real nerd can tell you, minifrig/freezer combos are a must have for true lifeless gamers.
By Underdog007 at 10:21 PM ON 06/09/09
Being able to never have to stand up again is a dream come true! In the immortal words of Homer, "And here I am using my legs like a sucker!"
By smith134 at 12:19 AM ON 06/10/09
Wonderful device!! Just imagine a Portable mini USB device that can make lunch for you. I think it;s moderate size to eat for lunch.
By saris at 9:38 AM ON 06/10/09
Gee at that price you can get a REAL microwave. A lot to pay just for the (Convienience?) of plugging it into your computer. These so called useful usb powered gadgets, mostly useless. You have to have the computer plugged into the wall to use htem anyway, and USB has limited power capabilities.
why don't people just get off there large arses and walk to the dang microwave, then maybe there arses would not be so large.
By Paul at 9:34 PM ON 06/14/09
Actually for those of us doing long road, and camping trips this could be kind of nice seeing as how I have a USB power adapter build into my caliber and the inverter I have won't power most full size microwaves not to mention the space they take up.
I say do it.
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Paul:
Actually for those of us doing long road, and camping trips this could be kind of nice seeing as how I have a USB p...More »