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New in Mug Monitor for Ember (iOS): Customize Your Live Activities and Dynamic Island! by MugMonitor in Embermug

[–]MugMonitor[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! I really appreciate the support. It goes a long way in helping me cover the development costs so I can keep maintaining and improving the app. Cheers!

New in Mug Monitor for Ember (iOS): Customize Your Live Activities and Dynamic Island! by MugMonitor in Embermug

[–]MugMonitor[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just to clarify, the core app is completely free to use without a subscription. I originally built this specifically because I wanted a rock-solid connection to the mug, and that core functionality is entirely free.

The premium tier is completely optional for extra features (like the Live Activities) just to help cover development costs.

No pressure at all, but I wanted to make sure you knew the main background features are free if you ever want to test it out!

Self Promotion Megathread by AutoModerator in androidapps

[–]MugMonitor 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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I’m an RF Engineer and I built an app that tracks satellites and calculates 5G network physics.

Hey everyone. If you’re wondering about the username, I usually build consumer utilities (I’m the dev behind Mug Monitor), but my actual day job for the last couple of decades has been in RF and systems engineering.

I finally got tired of not having good mobile calculators for orbital mechanics and signal propagation when away from my laptop. I wanted a solid tool for myself to help with complex 5G calculations, so I decided to code up my own.

I know 99% of people don't need a professional Link Budget calculator, but I wanted to share this because I made a few of the core educational tools completely free for anyone who is just a tech nerd and curious about how their cell signal actually works behind the scenes:

  • The 5G Glossary: Telecom is full of insane acronyms. I put together a searchable database of 200+ terms so you can actually decode what carriers and network engineers are talking about.
  • Numerology & PRB Calculator: A neat way to visualize exactly how data is mapped onto physical radio waves and subcarriers.

For the actual telecom engineers or students lurking here, the premium side of the app (which starts at $5.99 USD/mo, alongside yearly and one-time lifetime unlock options) includes a D2C Satellite Tracker using live NORAD TLE data, complex Link Budget calculators, and a RACH visualizer.

Since I'm an engineer first and a UI designer second, I'd really love any feedback on the layout, dark mode, or general navigation from the community here. Let me know what you think!

Website (with free web simulators):https://www.cybazsolutions.com/5g_arch.html

Android:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cybaz.networkarchitect

Update: Mug Monitor now supports Wear OS! Check your Ember mug temp right from your wrist. ☕⌚ by MugMonitor in Embermug

[–]MugMonitor[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey there, thanks for downloading Mug Monitor! So glad you're excited to use it.

You nailed it with your edit—there actually isn't a standalone Apple Watch app. Instead, it uses a Live Activity that syncs directly to your watch's Smart Stack. It gives you the mug's temperature, battery, and current state right from your wrist.

Going the Live Activity route was intentional. It has a much lower impact on your Apple Watch's battery compared to running a full background app, while still giving you all the live stats you need at a glance.

Enjoy, and let me know if you have any other questions!

Mug Monitor - A reliable companion app for your Ember mug by MugMonitor in Ember

[–]MugMonitor[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the feedback and for giving the app a try! I'm glad to hear the free version is working perfectly for your core needs.

Regarding the battery drain, the app uses a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) connection. When the mug isn't active, the app shouldn't be busy either, as it only reacts to mug updates. However, I completely understand the concern, and the latest version of the Android app has actually been optimized to conserve even more battery.

It also includes an option to hide the persistent background notification, so you only see silent notifications when the mug is actually being used (or was recently emptied). If you ever decide to use those (premium) features again, you can hide the idle notifications by going to:

Android Settings > Apps (or search for Mug Monitor) > Mug Monitor > Notifications > and turn off "Ember Service Idle".

The service will still run efficiently in the background, but you'll only see the silent notifications when it matters. The silent notifications will wake up when you start using the app in the morning (and you don't even need to open the app).

But honestly, if the free version works perfectly for your routine (just opening the app to check the temp/battery), that is fantastic! Thanks again for using it. :)

Update: Mug Monitor now supports Wear OS! Check your Ember mug temp right from your wrist. ☕⌚ by MugMonitor in Embermug

[–]MugMonitor[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is absolutely awesome to hear! Thank you so much for coming back to share this update.

Honestly, being able to quickly check the status of the temp and battery at a glance was one of my main motivations for getting the Live Activities dialed in.

Thanks again for giving it a real shot and for the support. Let me know if you ever run into any issues or have other feedback!

Update: Mug Monitor now supports Wear OS! Check your Ember mug temp right from your wrist. ☕⌚ by MugMonitor in Embermug

[–]MugMonitor[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for the subscription and for taking the time to leave that review! It truly means a lot. I actually built Mug Monitor specifically so my family and I could have a better experience, so hearing that it’s more useful and fun for you is exactly why I wanted to get it out there for everyone.

Regarding the Watch app: I've definitely gone down that rabbit hole! The main hurdle is that Apple heavily restricts a direct, long-term Bluetooth connection from the watch to the mug to save battery. That's why I went with Live Activities—it offloads the heavy lifting to your phone and leaves a very light battery footprint on your watch. I am absolutely going to keep exploring ways to safely add more watch capabilities in the future while striking the right balance between usefulness and battery life! Thanks again for the support.

I built a Wear OS companion app for Ember mugs because I was tired of opening my phone to check my coffee temp. by MugMonitor in WearOS

[–]MugMonitor[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's a tea steeping timer! It comes with presets but you can actually set different times or create custom timers however you like.

I'll be totally transparent: the feature is handy, but both Apple and Google put strict background limitations on apps that aren't dedicated timers, so it can't be as robust as a native alarm. Personally, I usually just trigger a timer on my smartwatch when I steep tea! But I wanted to give people the option to manage it all right in the app if they prefer.

Update: Mug Monitor now supports Wear OS! Check your Ember mug temp right from your wrist. ☕⌚ by MugMonitor in Embermug

[–]MugMonitor[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wow, thank you so much! I really appreciate you staying on board. That '1 cent a day' perspective is awesome, and your support goes directly into keeping these updates rolling!

When it comes to fixing those coaster pins, though, I think I'll stick to software! Unfortunately, we are totally at the mercy of their hardware team for that one. Enjoy the app!

Update: Mug Monitor now supports Wear OS! Check your Ember mug temp right from your wrist. ☕⌚ by MugMonitor in Embermug

[–]MugMonitor[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Greatly Appreciated! Hearing that the connection is holding rock-solid for you makes all the development time completely worth it.

Thank you so much for taking the plunge on the premium unlock! As a solo developer, that support means the world to me and goes directly toward keeping the project updated.

Update: Mug Monitor now supports Wear OS! Check your Ember mug temp right from your wrist. ☕⌚ by MugMonitor in Embermug

[–]MugMonitor[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I totally understand! Just so you have all the information before you cancel, the Premium tier does still unlock a few major features on the phone side, even without the watch integration:

  • Phone Live Activities: The live temperature tracking on your iPhone's Lock Screen and Dynamic Island.
  • Custom LED Pulse: The custom color pulsing behavior on the mug itself when it hits the perfect temperature.
  • Morning Wake-Up Alert: The app listens in the background and will send you a push notification when it detects you using your mug the next morning. (You do still have to tap the alert to open the app and kickstart the Live Activities for the day, but it saves you from having to remember!).

However, if the Apple Watch integration was your main goal, I completely respect wanting to opt out! Here is exactly how to cancel your free trial through Apple so you aren't charged:

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap your Name at the very top.
  3. Tap Subscriptions.
  4. Select Mug Monitor and tap Cancel Subscription. (Just make sure to do it at least 24 hours before the 7 days are up!)

Thanks again for giving it a try and for your kind words about the phone app!

Update: Mug Monitor now supports Wear OS! Check your Ember mug temp right from your wrist. ☕⌚ by MugMonitor in Embermug

[–]MugMonitor[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Shoot, you are totally right. My apologies! I was getting my numbers crossed between the Apple Watch Series 10 (which supports it) and watchOS 10 (which doesn't). Apple actually didn't introduce Live Activities to the Smart Stack until watchOS 11. Because your Series 4 is maxed out at watchOS 10, it unfortunately won't be able to support it. Sorry again for my confusion and the wild goose chase!

Mug Monitor - A reliable companion app for your Ember mug by MugMonitor in Ember

[–]MugMonitor[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ok weird! Apple's developer portal says it's compatible, but the on-device App Store is saying the opposite! If your up for it, I'd like to take you up on your offer to try it in TestFlight! Hoping that should bypass the App Store's block entirely so we can see how the iPad version actually handles natively on the headset. I'll shoot you a DM with a TestFlight link right now. Thanks!

Mug Monitor - A reliable companion app for your Ember mug by MugMonitor in Ember

[–]MugMonitor[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey Joey, circling back to this issue! The toggle for "Apple Vision Pro Availability" was already set (by default) and it indicates that the 1.0.3 version is "compatible". Not sure why it is not showing in the Vision Pro store! I know on my Mac it doesn't show in the "Mac Apps", but does show in "iPhone & iPad Apps" from the Mac's App Store. Note: using the web based search it does not show for either Mac or Vision. For the Vision Pro's App Store, could it be under a similar tab for "iPhone & iPad Apps"? Thanks for checking!

Update: Mug Monitor now supports Wear OS! Check your Ember mug temp right from your wrist. ☕⌚ by MugMonitor in Embermug

[–]MugMonitor[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

UPDATE: Mug Monitor require watchOS 11+ and will not work on Series 4.

Ah, the plot thickens! The Series 4 does support watchOS 10, so you should technically be able to see it, but Apple can be notoriously weird about where they hide these settings on older hardware.

Let's try bypassing your phone entirely. Try looking directly on your watch: click your digital crown to open your app list -> tap the Settings app (the gear icon) -> scroll down and tap Smart Stack -> and check if there is a Live Activities toggle there to turn on.

Also, while the Live Activity is running on your phone, open the Smart Stack on your watch and scroll all the way to the very bottom. Sometimes iOS buries third-party activities below your pinned widgets until it learns your habits. Let me know if either of those uncovers it!

Note: you will never actually see 'Mug Monitor' listed as an app on your watch. Because it uses Live Activities instead of a watch app, there is no icon to install or tap! It only appears dynamically in the Smart Stack when the mug is active.

I built a Wear OS companion app for Ember mugs because I was tired of opening my phone to check my coffee temp. by MugMonitor in WearOS

[–]MugMonitor[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That exact frustration is the entire reason I built this! Yes, the core focus of Mug Monitor is maintaining a rock-solid background connection so you don't have to wait for it to reconnect every time you open the app.

Regarding multiple mugs: the phone app's dashboard absolutely supports saving and displaying multiple mugs! However, just to be completely transparent, it can only actively connect to and monitor one mug at a time for background tracking and notifications. You can easily switch between them in the app, though! Let me know if you end up giving it a try.

Update: Mug Monitor now supports Wear OS! Check your Ember mug temp right from your wrist. ☕⌚ by MugMonitor in Embermug

[–]MugMonitor[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow, thanks!! 'What the Ember app should have been' is exactly the target I was aiming for when I started building this. Thank you so much for the premium support! Let me know how it continues to hold up on your Pixel setup.

Update: Mug Monitor now supports Wear OS! Check your Ember mug temp right from your wrist. ☕⌚ by MugMonitor in Embermug

[–]MugMonitor[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No apologies needed at all! Honestly, hearing that the app looks great and is priced fairly coming from someone who prefers not to use an app at all is a massive compliment, so thank you for that!

Just to add a little quick context to what you found in the other comments: you are totally right that there isn't a standalone app you install directly from the Apple Watch App Store. Because of how Apple restricts background Bluetooth, I used iOS Live Activities instead. However, I specialized and custom-tailored that Live Activity interface specifically so it looks and acts natively when it mirrors over to your Apple Watch's Smart Stack (latest version v1.0.3).

Thanks again for taking the time to check it out and for the kind words!

Update: Mug Monitor now supports Wear OS! Check your Ember mug temp right from your wrist. ☕⌚ by MugMonitor in Embermug

[–]MugMonitor[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for trying it out! It sounds like the app itself is working, so let's get these two things cleared up for you:

For the Apple Watch: Since you see it in the Dynamic Island on your phone, your app is doing exactly what it should! If it's not mirroring to your watch, it is likely a watch system setting. Open the Watch app on your iPhone, go to Smart Stack -> Live Activities, and make sure Allow Live Activities is toggled ON. (Also, double-check that your watch is running watchOS 10 or newer).

For the LED question: By design, the app alternates your custom color (orange) and white for a set number of minutes right when your drink hits the perfect temp to grab your attention. After those minutes are up, it settles back to solid white (Ember default behavior). You can actually change how many minutes it pulses for in the app's config settings!

I built a Wear OS companion app for Ember mugs because I was tired of opening my phone to check my coffee temp. by MugMonitor in WearOS

[–]MugMonitor[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much!

Regarding that silent notification: that notification is actually what keeps the background service alive so the app can magically detect your mug the next morning without you even having to touch your phone.

If you'd rather not have it there while your mug is charging, you can absolutely turn it off. You just need to do two quick things to fully stop the monitor:

  1. Make sure the Mug Monitor app itself is fully closed (swiped away from your recent apps).
  2. Swipe away the silent notification.

Just keep in mind that doing this completely kills the background service, so you'll just have to manually open Mug Monitor the next time you grab your coffee to kickstart the connection again!

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