Smart Oven Focus Group

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Smart Oven Focus Group

The Apple Oven combines touch and wifi capabilities to enable users seamlessly prepare any meals, save, and access recipes at the convenience of a button from anywhere. The device uses infrared and radiant heat sensors to assess the cooking process to ensure food maintains its natural moisture while cooking evenly and completely regardless of the user set time. After refreshments, introductions, icebreakers and product features knowledge session, the 11 participants shared their views on cooking and appliance preference. Many of the respondents confessed to not being adamant cooks and preferred quick microwavable meals and snacks but were looking to switch to cooking due to the health and fitness concerns. They attributed this lack in enthusiasm to the length of the cooking process. They also raised concerns over the high pricing of the oven and the novelty of its concept, as they did not inspire much confidence and reduce the ovens ROI. This also went to its energy efficiency, as they would save money on power bills. Space was also a major concern since most houses come with preinstalled combine oven-stove units, which offered more functionality and utility to the user.

Being a new concept, incorporating interactive user tutorials would enhance the ovens popularity especially with older users. Creating alternative connection protocols like SMS and Bluetooth would ensure continuity when internet fluctuated. A camera would also enhance monitoring of large food batches and reduce losses since ingredient and preparation conditions can cause considerable deviations in estimated cook times. Respondents also stated that internet and television reviews from regular folks influenced their appliance purchases decisions more that celebrities due to their comprehensiveness. Possible co-branding with trusted kitchen appliance manufacturers like GE would also enhance the products reliability, as Apple was mainly associated with connectivity.    The concept test helped notice redundant features on the oven like the speakers while shedding light on crucial product marketing strategies like bundling the oven with preexisting Apple products like phone and tablets to enhance user connectivity.