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Ember Launches Smaller iPhone-Controlled Coffee Cup With Temperature Control

Many years ago The Times asked of its readers, "What is wrong with the world today?" and, at least apocryphally, GK Chesterton replied, "Dear Sirs, I am."

I fear that the response nowadays could well be, "Dear Sirs, this is."
 
montuori said:
Am I the only one who sees this as a solution in search of a problem?
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Don't get me wrong, it's overpriced to be sure, but it solves at least a couple of problems:
  • Slow drinkers wanting to keep their drink warm, without having to microwave it.
  • Want to track how much you drink (HealthKit), such as the caffeine intake.
 
imdropbear said:
10oz? How long do you guys typically need to keep your Espresso warm? Maybe it’s just me but I usually… just drink before it’s too cold.
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A cappuccino is just over 5 oz, a double espresso is less than half that...

EDIT: Don't get me wrong, I hate this product, but it's big enough for any reasonably sized Italian coffee.
 
I would never buy another one of these. The mugs are painted and it scrapes off easily. I’ve probably ingested a little bit of paint.
 
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sigmasirrus said:
Why not just use an insulated mug with a lid? Like $20 or less…
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I did that....Nespresso is so precise with their "proper temperature of coffee" that I found mine getting too cold as I drink it.

Then I got these Yeti mugs (like 4 different colors and the stainless one for me)...holy cow...stays warm forever and I don't worry about spilling...and dishwasher safe.
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I even bought the large travel version. I put some ice in it and water or tea for when I go to bed...if I don;t finish it, it actually stays cold practically the whole next day!

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The magnetic closure thingy is amazing and easy to operate with one hand.
 
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MacRumuer said:
I would never buy another one of these. The mugs are painted and it scrapes off easily. I’ve probably infested a little bit of paint.
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The copper models are not painted.

I've only heard of the paint flaking when people use metal utensils to stir and they scrape the sides or bottom. Ember explicitly warns against putting metal spoons and stirrers into the mug.

If you contact Ember, they'll often work with you to replace it. I've even heard of some people getting free replacements outside of warranty, even though it is customer damage.
 
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tweaknmod said:
I feel the need to chime-in, as I absolutely love my Ember Mug. (I have the 10oz one, I think)

Though I was initially hesitant, due to the price, I couldn't be happier with my purchase. I drink my coffee and tea relatively slowly, and having it at the perfect temperature - no matter what - is fantastic.

Considering how much coffee and tea I drink, and how much it improves my day-to-day work and/or relaxation time, it's a small price to pay, really - I've paid far more for gadgets, clothes, and other bits that I use far less often.

If you drink your hot drinks a bit slowly, yet like them hot, this is the product line for you, my friend. :)

Note: I find the irony of people freaking out about other people spending more than average on a gadget, while on an Apple-based forum, to be deliciously hilarious.
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I was going to buy one, but saw so many complaints of the finish coming off the inside of the mug after a short time.
 
xpxp2002 said:
The copper models are not painted.

I've only heard of the paint flaking when people use metal utensils to stir and they scrape the sides or bottom. Ember explicitly warns against putting metal spoons and stirrers into the mug.

If you contact Ember, they'll often work with you to replace it. I've even heard of some people getting free replacements outside of warranty, even though it is customer damage.
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I never stir. I put stevia before pouring hot water and swish. The flaking was caused by the rough part of the sponge.
 
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tweaknmod said:
I've had mine about two years, I think, and yes it does come off a bit eventually, but not much at all, imo. I stand by my recommendation. ?
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Kewl...I'm still VERY happy with my Yeti purchases as way cheaper and keeps hot OR cold (and hot enough for me for as long as I need it that is).
 
For crying out loud, we don't want SMALLER, we want BIGGER. I've been waiting and hoping for years ...

I don't need to keep the temperature of something I'll empty with two sips.

Edit:

I'm the target demographic for something like this. As an avid tea drinker, it's usually way too hot right when I pour it. So I let it sit. I tend to forget about my waiting tea A LOT as I get side tracked ... by the time I remember it's usually lukewarm and microwaved reheated tea (and coffee) is just plain awful. It's just not the same.

Other times I just drink slowly while working and the same thing happens, it just cools too much because I'm using big mugs with a lot of drink in them.

Thermoinsulated mugs don't do the trick as they tend to keep it WAY too hot for too long to actually be able to enjoy one's drink. In my personal experience, metal insulated mugs also just tase ... wrong. Every single one of the dozens I've tried over the year had a strange aftertaste for some reason.

And no, I will not buy anything under 16 oz, preferably 20 oz. That travel mug especially is a major joke.
 
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Convenience comes at a cost, but for those who specifically like their coffee at a certain temperature, this is unique to the small segment of people who do like custom tech features. This is rather unique and I’d be interested in trying it out personally.
 
Pankeborg said:
A cappuccino is just over 5 oz, a double espresso is less than half that...

EDIT: Don't get me wrong, I hate this product, but it's big enough for any reasonably sized Italian coffee.
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One does not leisurely sip an espresso, one drinks it in seconds. If anyone expects to sip it slowly while standing at any counter in any cafe in Italy, you will be trampelled by the swarm of on their way to work locals who order, pay, drink and get out in under a minute.
 
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Another example of making things "smart" that do not need to be smart.

If you want coffee warm longer, use an insulated container like a Yeti or something similar and it will keep your coffee plenty warm for 90 minutes and will not require any charging or apps.
 
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tweaknmod said:
I've had mine about two years, I think, and yes it does come off a bit eventually, but not much at all, imo. I stand by my recommendation. ?
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My first white mug did flake. However, my new one has no issues and I was told my Ember that they improved their manufacturing process a few years in. I have also been using a soft plastic spoon for three years on my current mug.
 
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rpmurray said:
Now they just need to make one that keeps your beverages cold.
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Peltier cooler. But the problem is that there is nowhere for the heat to go except for into your hand (unless they add cooling fins!) Plus Peltier coolers are pretty inefficient, so that just adds more heat.
 
Bought a MiiR insulated cup for a fraction of the price and it keeps my coffee hot for as long as it takes my slow ass to drink it.
 
For all of the people recommending just using an insulated mug - that's an ok solution, and what I used to do. However my issue has always been, an insulated mug kept the coffee way too hot. I Aeropress a cup around 185F and using a Yeti mug...it stays at 180F forever (speaks to the quality Yeti I guess haha), but I'm a softy and prefer my coffee around 140F. By the time the coffee cools to 140F...it's too long, and it does not stay at 140F and keep drifting down afterward. With the Ember, it stays at 140 until I finish. This is totally an unnecessary luxury, but awesome.

I have the 14oz version ($99 at Costco) and absolutely love it. This type of mug is definitely not for everyone...but everyone I know who has one loves it. Though...echoing some of the other comments here, I've never heard someone say they wished the Ember was smaller. They need to make a 20oz version or something in that range.
 
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mister salty said:
I literally created an account to say:
I hate this. I hate everything about it.
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I have the 14oz ember mug2 and it’s honestly been a game changer for me. My coffee stays at the exact perfect drinking temperature from first sip to last. If you love coffee, this is honestly a must have.

If you just drink coffee out of habit and could care less if it’s piping hot or luke warm or cold by the time you finish it, I get how something like this would seem bizarre.
 
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