CUPERTINO, CA—Apple’s newest product, the iCrockpot, will be available in late March to limited stores in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Alberta, for beta testing. CEO Tim Cook announced the new release to a crowd of seven people at Apple headquarters Monday.
“It’s a bittersweet moment, to be introducing a new product without Steve [Jobs] here to see it,” said Cook. “But we know the work we’re doing here today is carrying his legacy into tomorrow.”
“Even though it seems like he took all the good ideas with him,” Cook added.
According to a press release on Apple’s website, the iCrockpot will enable users to slow-cook meaty stews and other dishes without having to pay much attention to the food as it cooks.
“You can basically just dump in your ingredients, and flip the start switch,” said Cook. “Five hours later, ta-da. Your pot roast, or whatever, is ready.”
“Perhaps the most exciting feature is the iCrockpot’s compatibility with the iPhone. Using your iPhone, you can browse the internet for iCrockpot recipes. Also, you can use your iPhone’s built-in ‘timer’ to remind yourself when your iCrockpot food is done cooking.”
This kind of vertical integration has been a hallmark of Apple’s business strategy for years.
“The iPhone can also be used to invite friends over to your house to eat the food you’ve made in your iCrockpot,” said Cook.
The iCrockpot will be released to a wider market if the beta version succeeds with the hearty, stew-eating families of central North America.
Cross posted at The Smew