Ember Launches Larger Capacity 14oz Ceramic Mug, Available from Apple

[JohnApples]

Heated coasters generally continue to heat such that the temperature is constantly rising, cooking the coffee so that it’s burnt in short order. After a certain point the coffee can either become too hot, or undrinkable, especially if you’re unable to drink it for a while, due to work, or other distractions.

Then there’s the issue of transportability. The great advantage of this cup to me, is that I can walk around the office with it, take meetings, drop by a colleagues office, chat by the water cooler, and when I get back to my desk it’s still the perfect drinking temperature.

I can’t imagine going to a meeting carrying a mug and a heated coaster, looking for a place to plug it in, which probably means stretching a wire across the pathway to set it on the conference table. I’d look like an idiot.

I can’t relate to that first scenario- mine does not burn or overheat my coffee. I set it to the desired temp and it keeps it reasonably heated. It’s not perfect, but for $20 it definitely gets the job done in a satisfactory manner.

Regarding your second scenario- That’s such a specific use-case that I can’t see that being a selling point. If that works for you- great! I’m glad it solves that problem. But paying $140 so I can keep a cup of coffee heated during a meeting while not looking like an idiot is just not something I worry about.

The people in my office drink their coffee so quickly that it doesn’t get the chance to become cool anyway.

Again I’m not saying that it’s “useless”- everyone’s needs will be different. But at that price point, it can’t become more than a novelty item for those that like these kinds of techy gifts- or for someone that *really* has a cold coffee issue.

 

[LovingTeddy]

Or use this and you don't even have to worry about it. It's kind of like saying, you know, when you want to change the channel, go up to the TV and use the buttons on it, and the channel is changed, LOL.

Oh... how lazy can one be? I rather Microwave my coffe than wasting 130 on this overpriced mug

 

[az431]

How does the mug know the amount of caffeine in the drink?

 

[Ronlap]

For the nerd who really does have everything.

For the person who has so much money he or she has no clue what to do with it.

 

[Mac 128]

I can’t relate to that first scenario- mine does not burn or overheat my coffee. I set it to the desired temp and it keeps it reasonably heated. It’s not perfect, but for $20 it definitely gets the job done in a satisfactory manner.

Regarding your second scenario- That’s such a specific use-case that I can’t see that being a selling point. If that works for you- great! I’m glad it solves that problem. But paying $140 so I can keep a cup of coffee heated during a meeting while not looking like an idiot is just not something I worry about.

If a $20 solution keeps your coffee the right temperature at your desk, then you’re set.

And are you saying that you never take your coffee mug to meetings, or are you saying you actually take your mug warmer with you to those meetings?

I work in a pretty standard corporate meeting culture. Both formal and informal. It’s a pretty common phenomenon worldwide, or so I’m led to believe by my consultant friends who work for Deloitte. When I take a cup of coffee to an hour long meeting, it’s the only cup I’m going to get, so I like to nurse it during the meeting. Before the ember mug, half the cup would be undrinkably cold only 10-15 minutes in — just like at diner with an inattentive waiter. I can’t get up and microwave it, so I’m stuck.

Routinely, I’ve just poured a cup of coffee, and a colleague catches me in the hall and pulls me into their office to go over some business with them I haven’t addressed, and I might end up in a 30 minute meeting, during which time I may not have a lot of time to drink my coffee or it just goes cold before I drink it all. Again, this is pretty standard behavior in all corporate office cultures I’ve ever been in, and further confirmed by my consulting friends who work in all kinds of business environments.

I’m not saying your situation is atypical necessarily, but it is in my experience. We’re both offering anecdotal scenarios, which require different solutions. And that’s why the ember mug exists. If there weren’t enough people with legitimate needs as I’ve described, then ember wouldn’t exist.

That doesn’t mean it isn’t a pure indulgent luxury which can’t be solved by less expensive, or extra effort alternatives, but it also doesn’t mean it’s not useful and allows a measure of convenience that makes me more productive. I wouldn’t have paid for this extravagance, but as a gift, I’ve discovered it improves my overall coffee drinking habits at work. Now that I see its usefulness to my life, I’d probably be willing to invest in it in the future, assuming I have the disposable income.

Heck, given my diner scenario above, something I’ve experienced far too many times in my life where I’m paying good money for service, I can see myself in the future as that old man who carries his self-heating mug and iPad to my favorite diner for a leisurely breakfast while I read the news app, always with a perfectly hot cup of coffee to sip.

 

[C DM]

Oh... how lazy can one be? I rather Microwave my coffe than wasting 130 on this overpriced mug

Overpriced, sure. Lazy, well, let's do away with remote controls too.
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For the person who has so much money he or she has no clue what to do with it.

People sure like to count other people's money.

 

[ApeBot]

What have we become

 

[RevTEG]

I have the smaller one in white. Looking forward to getting the larger one. That was my ONLY complaint. They work great and keep my coffee from getting lukewarm. Yes the price is high but people pay way more than that to collect Starbucks mugs that they never use.
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Only APPLE to sell an overpriced mug...

Worth every penny too.

 

[ctdonath]

Interesting how most of those who have one actually like it, think it worthwhile.

 

[qtrim]

I got the travel mug for a present and think it’s one of the most handy things I ever received.

 

[maflynn]

Only APPLE to sell an overpriced mug...

Actually, Starbucks had sold something like this as well.

 

[macaroni skinner]

Ember, the company that sells iPhone-connected mugs and thermoses, recently launched a new version of its Ember Ceramic Mug that is now available in a larger, 14oz size for U.S. users only. Like its previous products, the company has also partnered with Apple to sell the temperature regulating smart mug on Apple.com and in Apple stores.

Previously, the only size that the Ceramic Mug was available in was a 10oz option. While we enjoyed the overall quality and usefulness of the Ceramic Mug in our review, this sizing issue was one of the biggest downsides to the product, since it barely left any room for creamer in coffee and often led to spills.

With a bigger capacity these problems should be alleviated, but the 14oz option does come with a steeper price tag of $129.95, compared to the 10oz version at $79.95. The two mugs are identical other than their sizes, and let you set a desired temperature, track caffeine consumption via the Health app, and customize the mug's LED.

The main feature of the Ceramic Mug is that it lets you set a specific drinking temperature for your coffee or tea via the iPhone app. Over the course of a few minutes, the mug will lower its internal temperature to that setting, and then keep your drink at your desired level of warmth while you drink it.

They also both have a one hour battery life on a single charge, but if you place the mugs on the included charging coaster you can keep your drink at the desired temperature all day. The 14oz and 10oz cups are made from stainless steel with a ceramic coating so the mugs themselves are cool to the touch even with hot drinks inside.

Ember also sells a Travel Mug with all of the same temperature-regulating features as the Ceramic Mug, for $149.95. At this time, it appears that the 14oz Ceramic Mug is only available in Black on Ember.com and on Apple.com. On Apple's website, store pickup is available and shipping on the new mug arrives as soon as early next week.

Article Link: Ember Launches Larger Capacity 14oz Ceramic Mug, Available from Apple

Why don’t they have QI wireless charging support? Seems like a missed opportunity given how many people now have wireless charging on side tables/desks. I’ll hold out for a mug with QI support.

 

[Krayzkat]

Remote controls aren’t really for laziness these days, especially with hundreds of tv channels to choose from

Why don’t they have QI wireless charging support? Seems like a missed opportunity given how many people now have wireless charging on side tables/desks. I’ll hold out for a mug with QI support.

With 2-way wireless charging rumoured to be coming to the next iPhone, we would be able to charge our coffee mugs from our iPhones lol

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

Ok who put my $130.00 mug in the microwave and then the dishwasher? I hate when that happens.

I have a mug from Disney that has a solar cell in it, and plays music when you pick it up. I can see someone sticking that in the microwave and blowing it to heck, and wondering why...

But I will have to look into these and see what the draw is. I have a 'Kleen Canteen' and used it for years. At least until it slid into my windshield and cracked it. I was so laughing at myself for helping support the windshield replacement industry. I wonder how many times they get to replace one cracked from the inside. But I am zooming off on a tangent.
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Is the mug microwaveable?

WOW!, No, and I'm thinking that it it were microwaved, it would be dangerous.

It's a ceramic coated stainless steel mug, with a battery, and some electronics inside. I imagine a microwave would 'smoke' the mug. But would it explode?

BUT: 'Will it blend?'
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Actually, Starbucks had sold something like this as well.

They sell the Ember mugs.

AND, the damn things don't even wirelessly charge! What a disappointment!!! I'd buy one of the thing charged with a Qi pad, because then the Ember pad could charge my Apple Watch, and iPhone between swigs. But did they purposely hobble their product to ensure they could sell additional pads? I'd probably actually buy one if they did Qi charge, but now now. So I have to fiddle with it to get it on the pad and charging? Not impressed...

 

[jmgregory1]

For a true coffee consumer, I find it ridiculous that you need an electric mug to keep your coffee warm - if you're not drinking it whilst it is still hot, then you probably should just pitch what's left in the cup and get a fresh cup.

Why not just use any one of the great and effective stainless double-walled thermal coffee mugs (with a lid for even more heat retention) that are on the market, such as the Miir camp cup I'm drinking my coffee from right now. I can leave coffee in it while walking the dogs and come back to a still hot cup of joe.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

For a true coffee consumer, I find it ridiculous that you need an electric mug to keep your coffee warm - if you're not drinking it whilst it is still hot, then you probably should just pitch what's left in the cup and get a fresh cup.

Why not just use any one of the great and effective stainless double-walled thermal coffee mugs (with a lid for even more heat retention) that are on the market, such as the Miir camp cup I'm drinking my coffee from right now. I can leave coffee in it while walking the dogs and come back to a still hot cup of joe.

But coffee extremists claim that they can taste the stainless steel in their coffee. To me that's like arguing you can tell the difference between a transistor and a tube amplifier, but there are those that claim, straight faced, that there is a difference (DAMMIT!!!) and they can tell the difference, and it's enough of a difference to make them mad. Making the Ember 'electro-mug' ceramic is a decision aimed at those coffee elitist snobs. (I'm married to one. Out went all of the stainless steel mugs, and bottles. I could never tell the difference, but they protested loudly that they could. *sigh* I still have a stainless Starbucks mug, because it was a gift, back before the 'Great Stainless Jihad' was declared)

 

[JustinRP37]

I received the travel mug as a gift for Christmas. It is largely the biggest waste of money I have ever encountered. First of all just do a basic search and the travel mug lid is a piece of garbage. Literally two pieces glued together. So overtime, since it is used for hot beverages the lid literally separates. Luckily when then happened to me, I was not using any electronics, but I did get covered in hot coffee. The company just stated "we'll send you a new one". Not oh so sorry for ruining your clothes. And if I had been using my computer, it would have been fried.

Problem two, the lid also traps steam underneath so when you go to open it, you often get sprayed with hot coffee. Again. wear anything white near it and you will have stains. The battery life on this thing is atrocious. If you like your coffee warmer than 135 degrees, then you can expect much less than 60 minutes of charge when full. You can 'pre-heat' the mug to help keep the coffee warmer longer, but again in the morning when you are running for a train this can be ridiculous. Then, the software itself is also quite buggy. Sometimes the mug won't even turn on unless you put it back on the charger. Overall, you are far buying any double-walled good travel tumbler. It will keep the coffee hotter longer.

 

[C DM]

For a true coffee consumer, I find it ridiculous that you need an electric mug to keep your coffee warm - if you're not drinking it whilst it is still hot, then you probably should just pitch what's left in the cup and get a fresh cup.

Why not just use any one of the great and effective stainless double-walled thermal coffee mugs (with a lid for even more heat retention) that are on the market, such as the Miir camp cup I'm drinking my coffee from right now. I can leave coffee in it while walking the dogs and come back to a still hot cup of joe.

This one keeps it at one particular temperature. For those who benefit from that. For others, they have whatever it is that works for them, without this affecting it in any way.

 

[JetTester]

OMG, what will I do when somebody hacks my coffee mug and cools my coffee to room temperature? Intolerable!

 

[Ken Linger]

I'd get one but, I just checked, and Otterbox doesn't have a case for it to prevent accidental cracking or breakage. Yet.

 

[koa]

I have the smaller version. Can not recommend it at all. Running on battery, it doesn’t keep coffee hot long assuming I walk away before finish drinking it, even with preheating mug. Capacity of cup is small, so usually finish coffee while hot anyway. The larger one uses the same size battery so it will be worse in every way.

I'm surprised someone mentioned stainless vacuum mug imparting a taste to the coffee since most espresso machines use copper or stainless boilers. And so many cooking appliances and utensils are stainless. You could get a glass vacuum container I suppose if you’re eliminating all contact with stainless in the rest of your food chain.

 

[jmgregory1]

I have the smaller version. Can not recommend it at all. Running on battery, it doesn’t keep coffee hot long assuming I walk away before finish drinking it, even with preheating mug. Capacity of cup is small, so usually finish coffee while hot anyway. The larger one uses the same size battery so it will be worse in every way.

I'm surprised someone mentioned stainless vacuum mug imparting a taste to the coffee since most espresso machines use copper or stainless boilers. And so many cooking appliances and utensils are stainless. You could get a glass vacuum container I suppose if you’re eliminating all contact with stainless in the rest of your food chain.

Some people are just plain crazy...crazy about stainless imparting flavor to any liquid, and crazy for thinking a mug of coffee needs a heater to keep it warm. I say just drink the dang cup of coffee as quickly as you can and you’ll never have to worry about it going cold. I do that even when I have it in my vacuum mug, and scald my mouth just about every morning. I’d go further and say that if you’re making a pot of coffee at home, does it really matter if you have to toss out a partially consumed cup because it went cold? A cup might cost $0.40 when you factor the coffee, filter, water and electricity to make it, so maybe it’s wasting $0.25? I’m not proposing wastefulness, but in the scheme of things, it’s nothing to just get yourself a new cup of hot coffee.

 

[Krayzkat]

What about bowl and plate versions? That way I can keep my porridge and toast warm while I’m drinking my coffee

 

[Mac 128]

I have the smaller version. Can not recommend it at all. Running on battery, it doesn’t keep coffee hot long assuming I walk away before finish drinking it, even with preheating mug. Capacity of cup is small, so usually finish coffee while hot anyway. The larger one uses the same size battery so it will be worse in every way.

I'm surprised someone mentioned stainless vacuum mug imparting a taste to the coffee since most espresso machines use copper or stainless boilers. And so many cooking appliances and utensils are stainless. You could get a glass vacuum container I suppose if you’re eliminating all contact with stainless in the rest of your food chain.

I have the smaller version. Works perfectly. Lasts over an hour. Keeps my coffee the perfect drinking temperature even if I have to step away from my desk for half an hour. I don’t gulp my coffee so a 9oz pour can sometimes take an hour to drink, especially if I’m busy and don’t have time to leisurely sip it. I also get perfectly hot coffee through a long meeting, without having to walk away to reheat the coffee, or get a new cup, which often isn’t possible.

I’d call their excellent customer service if my experience were similar to yours and have them replace what is obviously a defective mug.

As for your stainless question, an esperesso maker boiler is heating water, not coffee with a high acidic content which can leach elements from the stainless, particularly cheap stainless mugs made in China which can contain high lead content, as well as other impurities. I’ve definitely had one of these cheap stainless containers impart unwanted flavors to acidic beverages, and can leach iron, nickel, chromium. Doing quite a bit of research lead to safe stainless containers that cost as much as these mugs, and do not keep my beverages as warm as this mug. As for cooking appliances and utensils, I would never use a stainless pot, or spoon to make tomato sauce, unless I was absolutely certain of the quality. And even then, I’d probably opt for a wooden spoon.
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What about bowl and plate versions? That way I can keep my porridge and toast warm while I’m drinking my coffee

That’s an excellent idea. There’s nothing worse than when my eggs go cold on a plate during breakfast because I don’t eat them fast enough. My mouth is watering thinking about how such a plate would keep my pancakes and syrup warm ... no more unmelted butter between the layers of my shortstack. And soup! My soup will never go cold again if I don’t eat it fast enough — not to mention one of the other benefits of this technology which is being overlooked — the built in thermometer will tell me when the soup is safe to eat so I don’t have to worry about scalding my mouth.
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Some people are just plain crazy...crazy about stainless imparting flavor to any liquid, and crazy for thinking a mug of coffee needs a heater to keep it warm. I say just drink the dang cup of coffee as quickly as you can and you’ll never have to worry about it going cold. I do that even when I have it in my vacuum mug, and scald my mouth just about every morning. I’d go further and say that if you’re making a pot of coffee at home, does it really matter if you have to toss out a partially consumed cup because it went cold? A cup might cost $0.40 when you factor the coffee, filter, water and electricity to make it, so maybe it’s wasting $0.25? I’m not proposing wastefulness, but in the scheme of things, it’s nothing to just get yourself a new cup of hot coffee.

Nothing better than gulping down a scalding hot cup of coffee in the morning! One thing this mug will do is tell you when the coffee has reached a safe drinking temperature, and then keep it there.

Of course there’s more to keeping a cup of coffee warm than just throwing out a cold cup because there’s more hot coffee in the pot. If more than one person is drinking from the pot, there might not be enough left, without making a new pot, which requires time and effort. One might be comfortable sitting in a favorite chair with the dog curled around ones feet, and be forced to get up, walk to the kitchen and poor another cup, when a heated mug would have avoided that.

And what if you have a coffee maker with a thermal carafe as we do at work, so the coffee doesn’t just sit there cooking in the pot? Depending on how long the pot sits there, and how empty it is, the last cups are often lukewarm or even cold. Pouring them in my ember heats the coffee right up in no time to the perfect drinking temperature and keeps it there until I’m done. Heck I’ve carried a cup of Starbucks into my office that has gotten cold during the trip to work, poured the remainder in my ember mug, and had it heat up to perfect drinking temperature as I start reviewing my morning email — saving me a trip to the kitchen microwave or throwing out half that $3.00 cup of coffee.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

I'd get one but, I just checked, and Otterbox doesn't have a case for it to prevent accidental cracking or breakage. Yet.

It's ceramic over stainless. It's not likely to break, but cracking would be interesting. I wonder how many have cracked from the heat. Ceramics are all and good, but they have a grain, and can crack on that grain. I wonder how many cracks have happened in the 'smart payload' at the bottom, and another thing that is asking for trouble in my mind is having a battery in a heated and closed environment. *shrug*