Skip to main content

Best idea ever? Thermal-vision microwave displays exactly how hot your food is

heat map microwave
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Tired of never knowing how hot your food is when it comes out of the microwave? We’ve got good news for you. Former NASA engineer and serial inventor Mark Rober has developed a new kind of microwave that essentially has thermal vision and can display the temperature of the grub you’re nuking in real-time. It’s one of those things that makes you think, “Why the hell hasn’t this been invented yet?!”

It’s still just a prototype at this point, but the overall concept is fairly straightforward. In addition to the standard magnetron that emits microwave radiation and warms up your food, the Heat Map Microwave is equipped with a set of infrared cameras and an LCD screen instead of a window. As your food cooks, the IR cameras capture a heat-mapped image of it and beam it onto the screen. Future iterations will even be able to sling the the image to a smartphone or tablet over your home Wi-Fi network, and you’ll be able to add additional time remotely via an accompanying app.

Rober has already attained a patent for the microwave design and is currently trying to gauge consumer interest in the product so he can convince investors to fund its development. Unfortunately, he’s not going the crowdfunding route, so you can’t pre-order one on Kickstarter or Indiegogo. What you can do is sign the petition on his website to show your support. If Rober gets enough signatures, the Heat Map Microwave will very likely become a reality.

Let’s make this happen. We don’t know about you, but we’re tired of burning the taste buds off our tongues every time we try to make a burrito.

Drew Prindle
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Drew Prindle is an award-winning writer, editor, and storyteller who currently serves as Senior Features Editor for Digital…
Eve MotionBlinds Upgrade Kit and Blinds Collection join the Matter lineup
The Eve MotionBlinds Upgrade Kit being installed.

Eve is a prominent name in the smart home world, with the company responsible for a variety of devices covering everything from smart plugs and security cameras to smart light switches and motion sensors. Its catalog is growing even more enticing today, with the Eve Blinds Collection and MotionBlinds Upgrade Kit gaining Matter support.

The MotionBlinds Upgrade Kit will likely appeal to more customers, as it costs just $200 and works with most existing setups. Installation is as simple as removing your shades, placing the MotionBlinds Upgrade Kit through the roller rod, then reinstalling the unit on your windows. Blinds with a roller between 1.5 inches and 2.0 inches are compatible with the upgrade kit.

Read more
Philips Hue lights have a rare discount, but there’s a catch
A TV with ambient backlighting from Philips Hue.

One of the cool things about Philips Hue lighting is how much freedom it gives you over creating the perfect ambiance in your home. One of the cool things about buying Philips Hue products over at Best Buy right now is how much freedom Best Buy is giving you over what you buy to save money. Right now, when you buy two or more select Philips Hue smart lighting product in Best Buy's offer builder, you can save 15%. Tap the button below to start building your own bundle and see all of the products available. While they don't include the best smart light bulbs that Philips produces, you'll be amazed by the versatility of the lightstrips. Or keep reading for an overview of some of the top picks from the bundle.

What you should purchase from the Philips Hue offer builder
The place to start with this deal is the and the if you don't already have them. These are the devices that take your movies, music, and games and syncs them to your lights.

Read more
Samsung’s futuristic Jet Bot AI+ robot vacuum is $400 off
The Samsung Jet Bot AI+ Robot Vacuum cleaning the floor.

For families who need a lot of help in keeping their floors spotless, the Samsung Jet Bot AI+ is an investment that you'll want to make. It's pretty expensive at its original price of $1,300, but a $400 discount from Samsung pulls it down to $900. It's still not cheap, but this futuristic robot vacuum could be the only device that you need to keep dirt, debris, and pet hair away from your sight. You're going to have to complete your purchase for it as soon as possible though, as there's no telling when the offer expires.

Why you should buy the Samsung Jet Bot AI+ robot vacuum
The Samsung Jet Bot AI+ checks all the boxes in the features that are recommended by our guide on how to choose a robot vacuum. It's equipped with powerful sensors and object recognition technology that allows it to avoid furniture when it's cleaning your floors, while LiDAR technology allows it to create accurate maps of the rooms in your home so that it can properly navigate and clean more efficiently. The robot vacuum also features a five-layer filtration system that allows it to release clean air, and when it's done, it goes back to its Clean Station where it empties its contents.

Read more