Ember today announced that its temperature control mugs will now sync with Apple's Health iOS app, allowing users to track their caffeine consumption throughout the day alongside other Health app statistics. The updated Ember app introduces this Health integration, with features like setting a maximum caffeine intake measurement for the day that will warn users when they near the limit.
The company explains that users will also be able to use the Health app's information to understand how their caffeine consumption affects other data tracked in Health, like heart rate and sleep patterns. Version 3.0 of the Ember iOS app [Direct Link] is available to download now on the iOS App Store.
"As a design-led brand, we are committed to delivering world class innovation that is as human and intuitive as possible. The updated Ember app with the Apple Health feature will give consumers a simple, easy way to track their caffeine consumption during the day, in order to make more informed decisions about what they are drinking. It's one more step Ember is taking to provide the best experience for coffee and tea lovers."
Ember's mugs allow the user to set a precise drinking temperature to ensure that their coffee or tea remains at the perfect level of heat. Both the Travel Mug and Ceramic Mug support caffeine tracking, favorite drink presets, and integration with the Health app. The Ceramic Mug maintains the ideal drinking temperature for one hour (or all day if set on the charging coaster), while the Travel Mug maintains temperature for two hours (and similarly for all day on a charging coaster).
The Ember iOS app syncs to the mugs, allowing users to set their desired temperature, receive notifications when the temperature is reached, create and customize temperature presets, set timers when making tea, and more. Up to three mugs can be paired with the app at once.
Additionally, Ember announced that its mugs will be available in select Apple stores starting today, in countries including the United States, Canada, Europe, Hong Kong, Macao, and Singapore. Apple will also gain the new Ember Travel Mug ($149.95) in white as an exclusive on Apple.com and in Apple Stores in the U.S. and Canada. The Ember Ceramic Mug ($79.95) in black will be sold as an exclusive in select Apple stores across Europe, the U.S., Canada, Hong Kong, Macao, and Singapore and on Apple.com.
Top Rated Comments
It’s a pure luxury indulgence, which I would have never bought for myself. But I have to say, the first time I got called away to a meeting and returned to my desk to find my coffee piping hot, proved its worth. It’s also great during a meeting where I can sip on my coffee and not having to worry about it getting cold halfway through the meeting, without being able to otherwise warm it up.
My charging coaster had uneven pins, a known defect. Ember replaced it quickly with an improved coaster. Not an issue at all. I have not had any issues with chipping or scratching in a year of daily use.
MY MAJOR COMPLAINT:
The charging saucer must be kept dry at all times, it’s not water resistant. Now this is possibly the stupidest decision I can imagine. The mug is too small to hold a standard 10oz pour without spilling, and you can’t use the saucer without wiping all moisture from the mug for risk of damage. For a product which entire purpose is to carry liquids, no part of it should be at risk from liquids! Especially the saucer which is traditionally designed to catch spliled liquids and protect the furniture and carpets. The saucer is meant only to be used as a charger, not an actual saucer.
My other minor complaint is that the walls of the mug and handle should be thicker ceramic — more like a real coffee mug. It’s not bad but it takes a little getting used to if you’re used to drinking out of a normal sized mug.
EDIT: As irony would have it, I wrote this, and walked into my office to find after my first cup of coffee that the ceramic coating had begin flaking for the first time in 10 months. I initiated a chat with Ember and a new mug is on the way. I was told that there was an issue with a batch of mugs which had the ceramic coating applied improperly, and that they had improved the formulation since my mug was made and the new one should not have any more problems, though there was a small chance it would happen again. They also said that if I experienced this again in the further they would take care of me. Can't complain too much about that.