RetroPie Toaster Is the Final Step in the Evolution of the Smart Kitchen

Internet of Things smart home technology has had a lot of buzz in recent years, with every product needing to get smarter and smarter on each new release. Lamps, thermostats, and even doorbells have all received the IoT treatment successfully. But, one part of the home stands out in the IoT world historically (though not commercially): the kitchen.

The first prototype “smart homes” were first shown in the 1960s, and were very focused on the kitchen. That made since, because the kitchen housed more electronic appliances than anywhere else in the home. Maybe it was that the technology wasn’t ready yet, or maybe it was taglines like the Kitchen Computer’s “If she can only cook as well as Honeywell can compute,” but these never really took off.

Now it’s time to bring the smart kitchen back. We’re not talking about those refrigerators that automatically order new groceries, or coffee machines that know you like coffee in the morning. We’re talking about a real computer — specifically one that plays video games. We’re talking about Reddit user Purrygamer turning a toaster into a RetroPie machine.

Yes, we do mean an actual toaster that pops up toast (not a toaster oven). No, it’s not really modified to do anything a Raspberry Pi on its own couldn’t do. But, it does turn on when you push the lever down. There is no word if it turns back off 30 seconds later.