# Vessyl's smart cup will be able to tell the difference between Coca-Cola and Pepsi when released in **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 15, 2014, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vessyls-smart-cup-will-be-able-to-tell-the-difference-between-coca-cola-and-pepsi-when-released-in/690856 "2014-06-15T21:56:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mr\_Quatro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bc8723/32.png) [@Mr\_Quatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Quatro)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2014, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vessyls-smart-cup-will-be-able-to-tell-the-difference-between-coca-cola-and-pepsi-when-released-in/690856/1 "2014-06-15T21:56:58Z")
I thought this was an ad at first maybe it is, but after reading the article I want one:[http://www.hngn.com/articles/33652/20140612/vessyl-smart-cup-tells-difference-between-coca-cola-and-pepsi.htm](http://www.hngn.com/articles/33652/20140612/vessyl-smart-cup-tells-difference-between-coca-cola-and-pepsi.htm) > [@](#): > > According to Time, the technology does this by figuring out the product’s sugar contents. Alcoholic drinks, milkshakes, and yogurt are detectable as well. The device can also tell how much caffeine, fat, and calories a drink contains. > > Starbucks announced plans to install the capability in all of the coffee chain’s locations ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2014, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vessyls-smart-cup-will-be-able-to-tell-the-difference-between-coca-cola-and-pepsi-when-released-in/690856/2 "2014-06-15T22:57:50Z")
How is this remotely useful? ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2014, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vessyls-smart-cup-will-be-able-to-tell-the-difference-between-coca-cola-and-pepsi-when-released-in/690856/3 "2014-06-15T23:04:08Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > How is this remotely useful? That’s explained explicitly in the very short article linked in the OP. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2014, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vessyls-smart-cup-will-be-able-to-tell-the-difference-between-coca-cola-and-pepsi-when-released-in/690856/4 "2014-06-15T23:13:33Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > That’s explained explicitly in the very short article linked in the OP. Yeah, it’s explained, but do you really think that this is a useful product? > [@](#): > > “Vessyl automatically knows and tracks what you’re drinking in real-time.” I don’t know about you, but i’ve been waiting years for a cup that can tell me what i poured into it a few minutes ago. And somehow, i don’t think that the sort of person who is obsessed enough with their nutrition and calorie intake to pay $199 for a cup will actually need the cup in order to keep track of their beverage consumption. The sensor technology that runs this cup is undoubtedly impressive, but i’m rather doubtful that there will be much of a market for it among anyone except early-adopter techno-poseurs. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2014, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vessyls-smart-cup-will-be-able-to-tell-the-difference-between-coca-cola-and-pepsi-when-released-in/690856/5 "2014-06-15T23:16:09Z")
Ok, so I can spend $99 on a cup that will tell me what I’m drinking. I literally can’t remember the last time I drank a beverage of unknown provenance. I suppose it is a product that will appeal to insane people who want to have a total log of everything they do in a day. Maybe they want to apply big data analytical techniques to track how drinking Pepsis and macchiatos makes them gain weight. SkyMall catalog is awaiting… ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2014, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vessyls-smart-cup-will-be-able-to-tell-the-difference-between-coca-cola-and-pepsi-when-released-in/690856/6 "2014-06-15T23:25:45Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > Yeah, it’s explained, but do you really think that this is a useful product?I don’t know about you, but i’ve been waiting years for a cup that can tell me what i poured into it a few minutes ago. For me? Hell no. > [@](#): > > And somehow, i don’t think that the sort of person who is obsessed enough with their nutrition and calorie intake to pay $199 for a cup will actually need the cup in order to keep track of their beverage consumption. > > The sensor technology that runs this cup is undoubtedly impressive, but i’m rather doubtful that there will be much of a market for it among anyone except early-adopter techno-poseurs. The “next big thing” (among other next big things) is personal monitoring of health/exercise/diet using personal electronic devices that communicate together. It’s baked into iOS8, for example, and it alleged to be part of the iWatch alleged to be coming out in the fall. I’ll wager that this contraption, or the next version of it will talk to your smartphone and upload the data into an ap. It’ll be a thing for techno-hipster exercise junkies or fad dieters at first. Clever people might come up with other uses for them when the price comes down. Maybe you can set it up to send you a text to warn you when you’ve had a pre-set enough to drink for the concerned frat boy or for a sorority girl to detect the presence of roofies. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2014, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vessyls-smart-cup-will-be-able-to-tell-the-difference-between-coca-cola-and-pepsi-when-released-in/690856/7 "2014-06-16T00:27:28Z")
“The Vessyl with the Pessyl says that this cup is the one with the Iocane!” ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2014, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vessyls-smart-cup-will-be-able-to-tell-the-difference-between-coca-cola-and-pepsi-when-released-in/690856/8 "2014-06-16T01:11:36Z")
The article says, “The product is a ‘modern take on a classic object,’ as users can use the product’s Vessyl app to enter information about drinks they’ve poured into their bodies. The program then uses the data to tell how hydrated or dehydrated the person is.” That’s nonsense, since you’re getting water from food as well as beverages. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2014, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vessyls-smart-cup-will-be-able-to-tell-the-difference-between-coca-cola-and-pepsi-when-released-in/690856/9 "2014-06-16T05:23:31Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > The program then uses the data to tell how hydrated or dehydrated the person is." That’s nonsense, since you’re getting water from food as well as beverages. Ohh, you planned to eat as well? Well let me tell you about this $999 dollar spork right over here… ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2014, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vessyls-smart-cup-will-be-able-to-tell-the-difference-between-coca-cola-and-pepsi-when-released-in/690856/10 "2014-06-16T07:37:24Z")
I think it’s pretty obvious the primary purpose isn’t to distinguish between Coke and Pepsi. It’s designed to tell you who much caffeine, fats, alcohol, and calories are in your beverage and there are people who like to know these things. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2014, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vessyls-smart-cup-will-be-able-to-tell-the-difference-between-coca-cola-and-pepsi-when-released-in/690856/11 "2014-06-16T07:46:18Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I think it’s pretty obvious the primary purpose isn’t to distinguish between Coke and Pepsi. It’s designed to tell you who much caffeine, fats, alcohol, and calories are in your beverage and there are people who like to know these things. My drinks already have something that gives me this information. It’s called a label. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2014, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vessyls-smart-cup-will-be-able-to-tell-the-difference-between-coca-cola-and-pepsi-when-released-in/690856/12 "2014-06-16T13:56:08Z")
Pretty much Carlin’s Law in action. (“If you nail together two things that have never been nailed together before, some schmuck will buy it.’”) Kinda like… roads… and… yeah! That’s it! Solar collectors! Duuuuuude! ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2014, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vessyls-smart-cup-will-be-able-to-tell-the-difference-between-coca-cola-and-pepsi-when-released-in/690856/13 "2014-06-16T15:37:19Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > How is this remotely useful? I agree. I read about this a few days ago. Millions of startup money have been wasted. Keep in mind that the regular price will be $199. Utterly and completely useless. I can see having something that detects adulterants, e.g., someone slipping a roofie in your drink at a bar. But just to tell you that it’s coffee or tea? Why? Bluetooth??? ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2014, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vessyls-smart-cup-will-be-able-to-tell-the-difference-between-coca-cola-and-pepsi-when-released-in/690856/14 "2014-06-16T17:22:34Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > I can see having something that detects adulterants, e.g., someone slipping a roofie in your drink at a bar. Royals of the middle ages used pure rock-cut crystal goblets, which were supposed to turn blood red at the presence of any poison. Backfired. One queen dropped hers, stepped on a shard, and died of gangrene. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2014, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vessyls-smart-cup-will-be-able-to-tell-the-difference-between-coca-cola-and-pepsi-when-released-in/690856/15 "2014-06-16T17:28:32Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > “The Vessyl with the Pessyl says that this cup is the one with the Iocane!” You win the thr… > [@wolfman](#): > > Ohh, you planned to eat as well? Well let me tell you about this $999 dollar spork right over here… No, wait, it’s a tie. ---
**Author:** ![Mithras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Mithras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mithras)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2014, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vessyls-smart-cup-will-be-able-to-tell-the-difference-between-coca-cola-and-pepsi-when-released-in/690856/16 "2014-06-16T18:08:45Z")
Articles mention that it’s able to tell you what alcoholic beverage you’re drinking. At first, I thought that that meant that it has a sensor that can tell you what the ABV of your drink is. I was interested in that because, being a homebrewer, as far as I know figuring out the alcohol content of beer requires either taking readings before and after fermentation or distilling a sample of the finished beer. A device that could quickly calculate the ABV in a single reading would be great. It wouldn’t be $199 worth of great, but presumably someone would be able to make a cheaper device that does only that and doesn’t try to figure out if you’re drinking a Coke or not. Reading more closely, the articles tend to say that the cup identifies the drink and not that everything or anything it tells you about the nutrition/ingredients is from the analysis. So I’m picturing it having some sensors that can measure simple things like density, color, ph, and viscosity. Those readings are then compared against a database that has the readings for all the liquids that the company’s tested and the cup then displays whatever matches. But the cup wouldn’t be able to tell you anything about what’s in the cup if it wasn’t in the database. If that’s the case, I’m not saying it’s necessarily a bad product. It’s just that I initially read about it as being much more impressive than it probably actually is. The fact that their website only talks about how awesome this product is that isn’t shipping 'til next year (but you should send them $100 now anyway because it will change your life) and doesn’t go into how the product works at all doesn’t make me think it’s worth what they’re asking, though. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2014, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vessyls-smart-cup-will-be-able-to-tell-the-difference-between-coca-cola-and-pepsi-when-released-in/690856/17 "2014-06-16T18:25:05Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > My drinks already have something that gives me this information. It’s called a label. The FDA doesn’t require companies to include the amount of caffeine in a beverage on the label. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2014, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vessyls-smart-cup-will-be-able-to-tell-the-difference-between-coca-cola-and-pepsi-when-released-in/690856/18 "2014-06-16T18:35:08Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > How is this remotely useful? Try reading the OP. I’d totally buy it. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2014, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vessyls-smart-cup-will-be-able-to-tell-the-difference-between-coca-cola-and-pepsi-when-released-in/690856/19 "2014-06-16T18:57:43Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > SkyMall catalog is awaiting… Right next to the hot dog toaster. ---
**Author:** ![dzeiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/46a35a/32.png) [@dzeiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzeiger)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2014, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vessyls-smart-cup-will-be-able-to-tell-the-difference-between-coca-cola-and-pepsi-when-released-in/690856/20 "2014-06-16T20:39:16Z")
Eh, I think some of you may be overestimating people’s ability to judge what they are consuming on a daily basis. I mean, didn’t they find that once snack makers went to that “100-calorie pack” idea that consumption actually went up, because people ended up eating more of those lower-calorie options? I can absolutely see how someone could simply have blind spots for, say, their glass of orange juice in the morning or whatever. Now, I do tend to agree that their price point seems a bit high, but an overall trend to better identify what/how much we eat (as opposed to what we think we’re eating) can end up with surprising results. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vessyls-smart-cup-will-be-able-to-tell-the-difference-between-coca-cola-and-pepsi-when-released-in/690856.md?page=2)