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We’ve already seen efforts to bring home appliances into the 21st century, with NXP Semiconductors’ GreenChip system for controlling lights via a smartphone. Now aiming to make rushing back home when you’ve realized the stove is still on a thing of the past, the AGA iTotal Control uses cell phone connectivity to enable users to control it from a remote location. Those with access to a laptop, tablet or smartphone while they are away from home will be able to interact with the cooker using an app which mimics the layout of the control panel on the stove. When a button is pressed, a message is sent to the smart oven, which processes the request. If the action was successful, phone users will receive confirmation. Hoping to cater to as large a demographic as possible, however, AGA has made it possible to communicate with the cooker for owners who have only a basic cell phone with text message facility. Each unit has its own SIM card, and therefore phone number, which users can text with commands — including ‘roasting oven on’, ‘all ovens on’ and ‘all zones off’ — in order to control its functions. A text message reply confirms that the prompt has been successful. The iTotal Control is available in stores in the UK and internationally for GBP 10,090, but those looking to use the text message function will also need to pay an extra GBP 5.95 per month for line rental. Although it may be commonplace to interact with appliances through smartphone technology these days, AGA has ensured the functions are available to a much wider group. Electrical appliance manufacturers – one for inspiration?