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With kitchen appliances, it's already a thing. For example, there's a "retro" brand that sells microwaves with a timer knob:

https://www.amazon.com/Nostalgia-NRMO7YW6A-Countertop-Microw...

The problem in that segment is that it's basically the same disposable, non-repairable tech that's destined to the dumpster in a couple of years. The company is selling the appearance of having a different design philosophy, and it works because the consumer has no way of telling.

So, if you want to do anything more profound in that space, it's going to be hard to compete.



I think you make a good point in general, but the Ikea TILLREDA microwave might be a better example of cheap and simple: https://www.ikea.com/ie/en/p/tillreda-microwave-oven-white-6...

That one you linked has actually quite a lot of features - the 12 presets, auto cooking mode, weight setting, the potentially confusing buttons like "express" and "micro power".




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