an idea from one of my readers...

Mac Funamizu emailed me and wrote:

Hello. I'm a designer working in Tokyo. I have long wished a USB powered coffee warmer like shown in the attached image, but I have never seen anything like that. So I'd appreciate if you could introduce the idea to everyone and hopefully someone could realize it into a product.

Anyone?

Make sure to have a look at Mac's blog. It's filled with ideas for services/products.

Comments

[Peter]

I've seen a few of these around, albeit now fancy software giving you coffee diagnostics :)

http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/27/the-usb-cup-warmer/

http://www.engadget.com/2005/04/14/yet-another-usb-cup-warmer/

[Hayley]

A friend of mine works for an electronics company that stocks USB coffee warmers. I don't think it comes with any jazzy software, nor am I sure about the look of the cup - it reminds me a little of a bin. I am assured, however, that it does a fine job of preventing cold coffee!

http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=GH1365&CATID=&keywords=USB+coffee&SPECIAL=&form=KEYWORD&ProdCodeOnly=&Keyword1=&Keyword2=&pageNumber=&priceMin=&priceMax=&SUBCATID=

[Mac Funamizu]

Thank you very much for taking this up, Tina.
Yeah, I first thought a coaster like the ones Peter and Harley introduced is more realistic because the cup has to get WET to be washed.

[johan]

freelanceswith mentioned one too:
http://www.amazon.com/s?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=USB+cup+warmer&x=0&y=0

[marcus]

you need a usb thermometer: http://www.pocket-lint.co.uk/news/news.phtml/11317/12341/Brando-Offers-USB-Thermometer-gadget.phtml

Take the cover off and attach it to the mug via a wire.

Then use flash to interpret the data and use it to control the power to a second usb heating device like the ones mentioned above.

simple really.

[Barbara]

ThinkGeek has a mug warmer, not quite a plug in cup, but it might suffice
http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/gear/957e/