Weber acquires iDevices iGrill app-enabled grill thermometer


 

Chris Allingham

Administrator
Staff member
AVON, Conn., Feb. 10, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- iDevices®, the preeminent brand in the connected home industry, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell the world's #1 app-enabled grilling and cooking thermometer brands, namely iGrill® and Kitchen Thermometer, to Weber-Stephens Products, LLC. Weber®, the world's largest manufacturer of outdoor grills and grilling accessories will continue to offer and grow the line of connected cooking products. The line today includes four app-enabled Bluetooth® Smart thermometers, including iGrill2, iGrillmini, Kitchen Thermometer and Kitchen Thermometermini as well as several accessory probes. The terms of the agreement are private.

iDevices will partner with Weber to release the next generation of the iGrill app which is expected to be available in Spring 2016. Until then, iGrill and Kitchen Thermometer users will be able to continue using their product through the iDevices Connected app.

"We are extremely excited to welcome the iGrill and Kitchen Thermometer product lines into the Weber family," said Tom Koos, Chief Executive Office for Weber-Stephen Products LLC. "Weber is a lifestyle brand, and we believe that by increasing the interactive nature of our products, we enhance the already amazing experience by grilling on a Weber. This is just our newest chapter in innovation, advancing us further into the way people integrate technology into their lives."

It Began with an Idea

iDevices was founded six years ago with the launch of iGrill as one of the first app-enabled products to ever hit the market. iGrill would bring cooking to a whole new level and soon earned an engaged and passionate fan base including worldwide influencers such as Facebook Founder, Mark Zuckerberg.

CEO and Founder of iDevices, Chris Allen said, "I would like to take this opportunity to thank our customers for their support through the years. It's because of them and the tremendous team here at iDevices that we have gotten to this point. As we go forward, I can think of no better home for iGrill than with the Weber family of products. This is just the first natural step in what we know will be a long and productive partnership."

The iDevices Evolution

The iGrill acquisition will allow iDevices to focus even more heavily on becoming a leader in the home automation market. iDevices' growing line of Wi-Fi® and HomeKit-enabled products, available in Lowe's®, The Home Depot®, Apple Store® and on Amazon®, now includes the iDevices Switch, Outdoor Switch and Thermostat. Four new products were recently announced: Socket, Wall Switch, Dimmer Switch and Wall Outlet.

"This sale represents the ability of iDevices to set itself apart in the Internet of Things industry," said Matt McCooe, CEO of Connecticut Innovations. "The connected home market is experiencing undeniable growth and we look forward to the continued success of this innovative company."

iDevices is fueled by a growing team of 70+ employees between Avon, CT and Cupertino, CA with deep expertise spanning Electrical/Software Engineering, App Development, UX/UI and Cloud Architecture. All employees will remain with iDevices following the product line acquisition.

"Today's news is a testament to the hard work of our talented team and will give us the ability to focus 100% on creating best-in-class experiences for our home automation products. We can't wait to show everyone what we're working on next," said Chris Allen. To experience the iDevices evolution, visit iDevicesinc.com/Evolution.

About iDevices, LLC

iDevices, the preeminent brand in the connected home industry, has a growing line of home automation products available at the largest retailers worldwide. Through the "Designed with iDevices" co-development program and its custom-built IoT Cloud Infrastructure, iDevices works with highly recognized consumer brands to bring the power of connectivity to their customers. By designing and developing its technology in-house, the Company seamlessly connects people to their worlds with responsive products that enhance everyday life. For more information, visit iDevicesinc.com.

About Weber-Stephen Products LLC:

Weber-Stephen Products LLC, headquartered in Palatine, Ill., is the world's premier manufacturer of charcoal, gas and electric grills, grilling accessories and award-winning cookbooks and mobile applications. In 1952, founder George Stephen sparked a backyard revolution with his invention of the Weber® kettle. More than 60 years later, the privately held company's products are sold worldwide at select national home centers, specialty hardware stores, patio stores and other retail outlets. Visit www.weber.com for more information.

SOURCE iDevices
 
And here's a press release from Weber's perspective...some more substance about how iGrills will interface with Weber apps.

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Weber-Stephen Products LLC Announces iDevices' iGrill Acquisition

PALATINE, Ill., Feb. 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Weber-Stephen Products LLC, the world’s largest manufacturer of outdoor grills and grilling accessories, announced today the acquisition of the popular iGrill® high-tech grilling thermometer from iDevices LLC, a leading brand in the connected home space. The products involved in the transition include the iGrill Mini, iGrill2, Kitchen Thermometer Mini and Kitchen Thermometer. The terms of the agreement are private.

Founded in 2009 in Avon, Conn, iDevices LLC designs and develops connected home products that enhance every day life. The company grew and gained popularity with the success of the iGrill product line. Today, the company makes connected products for the entire home and has evolved into one of the leading brands in home automation and IoT.

“We are extremely excited to welcome the iGrill and Kitchen Thermometer product lines into the Weber family,” said Tom Koos, Chief Executive Officer for Weber-Stephen Products LLC. “Weber® is a lifestyle brand, and we believe that by increasing the interactive nature of our products, we enhance the already amazing experience of grilling on a Weber barbecue. This is just our newest chapter in innovation, advancing us further into the way people integrate technology into their lives.”

A new Weber iGrill App supporting these products will be available spring 2016 for iOS and Android® devices. The new app will continue to support users with convenient preset alarms for a wide variety of foods, custom alarms options, and the ability to track and monitor temperatures through both the dashboard screen and the more detailed individual probe graph view. This free app also connects seamlessly to social media sites including Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest so users can share their grilling and indoor cooking experiences with friends and family. More details on an enhanced user experience will be shared closer to release. Current owners of the iGrill and Kitchen Thermometer products will be supported with the existing app until the transition in the spring.

All of the products will continue to be sold through current retail partners around the globe and will be available for sale on Weber.com beginning in April.

“When I started iDevices six years ago, the iGrill app was one of the first app-enabled products ever to hit the market. It took cooking to a whole new level and earned an engaged and passionate fan base,” said Chris Allen, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of iDevices, LLC. ”I can think of no better home for the iGrill product line than with the Weber family of products. Our aim with this acquisition is to create the absolute best customer experience by pairing the advanced technology of the iGrill product line with the world’s most prominent grilling brand. This is just the first natural step in what we know will be a long and productive partnership.”

“We plan to continue investing in this type of connected grilling, leveraging the latest in technology to make grilling hassle free for our consumers. We believe by combining Weber’s premium quality grill with the iGrill thermometer’s advanced time and temperature monitoring, we will take the guesswork out of the grilling process, making it more convenient and enjoyable. Weber is about delivering the very best grilling experience so families can come together around great food to make life-long memories. We believe this partnership enhances that brand promise,” explained Tom Koos.

About Weber-Stephen Products LLC:

Weber-Stephen Products LLC, headquartered in Palatine, Ill., is the world’s premier manufacturer of charcoal, gas and electric grills, grilling accessories and award-winning cookbooks and mobile applications. In 1952, founder George Stephen sparked a backyard revolution with his invention of the Weber® kettle. More than 60 years later, the privately held company’s products are sold worldwide at select national home centers, specialty hardware stores, patio stores and other retail outlets. Weber’s social communities include www.facebook.com/weberbbq, www.instagram.com/webergrills, www.twitter.com/webergrills, www.pinterest.com/webergrills and www.youtube.com/user/GrillwithWeber. Visit www.weber.com for more information.

About iDevices, LLC

iDevices is a preeminent brand in the connected home industry. iDevices aims to seamlessly connect users to their worlds with responsive products that enhance everyday life. Through the unique collaboration of its in-house team, iDevices is able to create products that are intelligent at their core. For more information, see iDevicesinc.com.
 
I too am a fan of Igrill2. Although I did just put money down on the Meater. But that is only because of the lack of range on the Igrill.
I don't think Weber is going to improve on the hardware of the Igrill.
 
Hopefully Weber will better the product, I have had some issues with mine and need to file warranty. Thanks for the update!
 

 

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