Anova precision app vaporware?

[chris_s]

Hello,

 

So I read that my anova precision is "bluetooth enabled" but I can't find anything about what this means other than the app is "coming soon"

 

Does anyone have any insight on this? 

[lesliec]

The latest I recall seeing on the Anova blog is that the iOS version of the app should be with Apple about now. No word on Android/Windows.

 

But see this recent post in another topic.  I think it's looking rather good.

[nickrey]

My information is that the IOS app will be released soon, followed closely by Android and Windows.

[salixfire]

According to an email I have recieved today the IOS app is live: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/anova-culinary/id959638683?ls=1&mt=8&utm_source=Mailchimp&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=App%20Email&utm_content=App%20Announcement&utm_campaign=App%20Announcement%20Email&utm_source=Anova+Customers&utm_campaign=5ff3cb0931-holiday14&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f33347b916-5ff3cb0931-97602745&mc_cid=5ff3cb0931&mc_eid=856b09bc63

 

Now I have to wait for the android version they promised as I haven't got an I-anything. 

[Anna N]

And it seems to be working

[chris_s]

yeah I saw the email and installed the app, didn't have a chance to use the SV since. 

 

what is the app able to do at this point? 

[lesliec]

For the Androidians, see also this.  I've installed it but haven't had a chance to see what it can do. The description sounds promising, at least until the official app arrives for Android.

[Anna N]

yeah I saw the email and installed the app, didn't have a chance to use the SV since. 

 

what is the app able to do at this point?

Not much that you can't do without it! Since it is Bluetooth not Wi-Fi-enabled you need to be relatively close to make it work at all. You can program it to the temperature you want and when it beeps to tell you it has reached that temperature you can then put your food in and set the time and it will count down and beep when it's completed. So far I have not really succeeded in storing the recipe but once I figure that out but I am assuming I will no longer have to set time and temperature as it will be in the program for that particular food. To me at present it's an amusement rather than a really practical application. Maybe that is a failure of imagination on my part so I'm anxious to hear from others.

[scubadoo97]

Lots of good recipes. I agree the Bluetooth application is kinda lame. You have to be within 50'. Why not just go to the kitchen and turn it on.

But I hear the next one to come out will have wifi.

[Anna N]

Lots of good recipes. I agree the Bluetooth application is kinda lame. You have to be within 50'. Why not just go to the kitchen and turn it on.

But I hear the next one to come out will have wifi.

I am not so sure about the recipes after seeing the first one. The chicken with lemon suggests that it is a complete meal with Sous Vide carrots. However there is no information about how to do that. I don't need the information newcomers surely will. I also question the wisdom of high heat butter to brown the chicken.

[scubadoo97]

I just skimmed them looking more for time/temps on the SV settings

[Anna N]

I just skimmed them looking more for time/temps on the SV settings

I am guessing I was expecting more since the recipes are being touted as being from James Beard anointed chefs and other people of supposed high regard in the food world. At least that is what the email concerning this app assured me. I will be quite content if I find times and temperatures that makes sense and a way to modify them to my personal preference.

[scubadoo97]

For the average home cook getting into SV cooking it's not bad but It takes a lot more to impress the minds of this group. And that's a good thing!

[rotuts]

will this work from an iPad ?

[scubadoo97]

Not sure why not. The app is on my iPad and phone. I just haven't given the Bluetooth a try. Will shortly

[scubadoo97]

Yes it does work. The good thing about using Bluetooth is that it's easier to set the time and temp. You don't have to go through the trouble of holding the clock button and scrolling in the time. Just set time and temp on the app and hit the start button.

[Anna N]

Not sure why not. The app is on my iPad and phone. I just haven't given the Bluetooth a try. Will shortly

So far I have not been able to get it to work on my iPad but I have not spent a lot of time trying so I suspect it's operator failure.

[scubadoo97]

Funny, I got it to work on my iPad but not on my phone. Both are running the old OS 7.0.2

When I tried to connect on the settings page of my pad it wouldn't find it after engaging the Bluetooth button on the Anova but when pressing the Bluetooth button on the app it connected

Edited February 7, 2015 by scubadoo97 (log)

[chris_s]

would be nice if you could set the SV to turn ON at a certain time, instead of just OFF

 

and they would need new hardware to use wifi, not just a new app

[scubadoo97]

I think the v3 is already on the drawing board.

[Anna N]

I am a huge fan of ANOVA but admit that I am struggling to find any real value in an app. Perhaps if I were running multiple baths cooking various proteins and vegetables then having the recipes in my phone or iPad might be very convenient but I would like some input to persuade me that I should be much more excited than I am. Wi-Fi barely make sense unless a robot can open the fridge door, collect the pre-bagged the product and drop it into the bath...

[JoNorvelleWalker]

I am a huge fan of ANOVA but admit that I am struggling to find any real value in an app. Perhaps if I were running multiple baths cooking various proteins and vegetables then having the recipes in my phone or iPad might be very convenient but I would like some input to persuade me that I should be much more excited than I am. Wi-Fi barely make sense unless a robot can open the fridge door, collect the pre-bagged the product and drop it into the bath...

 

If R2 could operate a trash compacter I'm sure he/she could interface with a chamber vacuum sealer.  Even a Polyscience one.

 

I still don't see the value in an app.  I have never used the timer on my anova.  Not once.  In almost a year.  And the anova gets a lot of good use.

[Hassouni]

Actually for someone who's never SVed before, the app is great because the recipes are dead simple and a great starting point. I don't want to read through a thousand pages of eG when there's an idiot-proof recipe on the app.

[scubadoo97]

Actually for someone who's never SVed before, the app is great because the recipes are dead simple and a great starting point. I don't want to read through a thousand pages of eG when there's an idiot-proof recipe on the app.

My take as well

[Anna N]

My take as well

Fair enough if all you're doing is cooking a chicken breast. But if you are cooking short ribs or other tough cuts of meat you also need to know something about the results you are aiming for. So a straight forward recipe for short ribs will give you something edible but not necessarily something that is optimal for your purpose or taste. I am not arguing for the sake of argument just acknowledging that cooking SV is not always amenable to simplistic recipes.