MEATER: The First Truly Wireless Smart Meat Thermometer
Created by Apption Labs
Meater is the only wire-free meat thermometer that will guarantee perfectly cooked meats every time you cook.
Latest Updates from Our Project:
41 | Beauty and the MEATs
about 7 years ago
– Sat, Feb 25, 2017 at 08:37:28 PM
Howdy all! We have exciting news so read on through!
YESSSS!
It's happening!! We
are wrapping up our beta testing program and have begun reaching out to our
very first early backers who pledged for single probe MEATERs to confirm addresses! Although this batch is a small one, we’ll ramp up at every production run to
ensure only quality products come out of the factory! We plan to ship this small batch no later than March 10th.
We sincerely apologize
to MEATER Block-only backers, but we expect perfecting the Block to be a lot smoother
than the probe since you don’t put the Block in the oven. We've
begun transitioning resources to continue work on MEATER Block and as soon as
we have new information regarding ship dates, you will be the first to know!
Why it's taking so long...
In our production phase we've run into unforeseeable obstacles that have led to delays. Building MEATER wasn’t easy but we’ve met the challenges head on and we’re that much closer to producing products in larger quantities. Below is only one example of many issues we’ve managed to resolve over the course of the year.
Our components are so tiny we had to use a third-party
laboratory, with access to high-end super microscopes, to help us identify the
root causes of our quality issues. It may seem trivial, but it was only made
clear to us the differences between good units and the not-so-good units after the
analysis.
Top: Bad unit. Bottom: Good unit.
To put things into
perspective, here’s a normal sized finger (not a banana) for scale:
The diodes are 0.6mm x 0.3mm in size!
Beta and the Beast
One great thing about
beta testing is we get people testing MEATER in ways we have not done. For
example, we'd gotten questions whether MEATER could be used for baking cakes,
breads, and pastries. Fortunately, one of our beta testers is great at making
cheesecake (and also great at assembling rigs to hold MEATER) and wanted to see
if MEATER could endure baking.
DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME.
Through beta testing, we can confirm that MEATER should only be used for meats! (As it was designed for). Though the probe survived and is currently functioning, cheesecake is not the best thermal insulator. Lesson learned! Stick to the meats. Like this one here.
Cracklin' chicken over a medley of beans
Or this one.
Get that pork belly in my belly!
MEATER has been tested in rotisserie pits as well!
Solid box of steel
If you need the extra range, you can always use MEATER Link - which extends your range over the WiFi network. Read Update 40 to watch the MEATER Link instructional video.
Thank you again and we can’t wait to get
these MEATERs into your hands.
You can still pre-order MEATER here if you want additional units or your friend missed the campaign.
40 | A Few Good Meats
over 7 years ago
– Sat, Feb 04, 2017 at 10:18:09 PM
Happy Lunar New Year!
To those that celebrated the ringing of a new Lunar Year on Saturday, we hope you paid your respects to family and traditions, ate well, and are ready for a fulfilling new year. Our factory has been on holiday with people returning home to spend time with family, but don't worry, the work hasn't stopped for us!
Bugs, We Hate Bugs!
Many thanks to beta testers for the constructive feedback on MEATER! We're dotting the i's, crossing the t's, learning from our testers and implementing fixes. In our next app update, there'll be numerous improvements and an increase in Android compatibility to include tablets and larger sized phones. The new app should be available in the store (for free free free) by the time we start shipping MEATERs.
Go Long!!!
Another thing we've learned from beta testers is that not many are fully aware of the MEATER Link feature that extends your wireless range over WiFi. All you need is an extra Smart Device (in place of the MEATER Block) to get extended range. Take a sneak peek of a work-in-progress video that demonstrates how to set up MEATER Link across different devices and platforms at the same time! Rad!
We know you are eager to get your hands on MEATER, but our January shipment of units, meant for backers, was instead shipped to additional beta testers and used for internal testing. We made the decision to hold on to the remaining units until the completion of our beta testing program. We'd like to get more feedback and put on the finishing touches before we ship to our wonderful backers.
Next week, the factory will start on a new production batch, and if the probes pass our high quality standard, we will begin shipping MEATERs (single probe with charger) this month and into March. When we begin ramping up mass production quantities of the MEATER probe, we will turn our attention to MEATER Block and provide shipping estimates once we have solid data.
Before we ship your product, we're asking you to please check your shipping address. You've been waiting so patiently and we want to quadruple confirm that your address is up-to-date and accurate. If it needs updating, please follow these quick, easy steps!
1) Go to our campaign page on the Kickstarter website (not the app).
2) Click the blue "View Pledge" button.
3) Click the "Survey" tab from the pop-up window.
4) Under your current listed address, click "Edit Address".
Our 2nd round of beta testing has been underway! We've learned a lot more this round on how to improve the user experience and we're working hard to squash the bugs before you receive your units. Here are the latest pictures from some of our beta tester's cooks.
Testing, 1, 2, meat...
Production Update
With encouraging feedback from our beta testers, we are confident in moving forward with a batch of MEATER units to be completed by the end of next week. This set will undergo a new and stricter QC process that includes the UK and U.S. offices for further testing to ensure the highest quality standard.
We are continually finding ways to improve and fine tune MEATER probe production and will gradually increase batch quantities. We have not yet reached mass production but aim to start fulfilling your pledges at the end of this month (starting with the units mentioned above). When MEATER is being fulfilled to our backers, we will have a better idea of a delivery estimate for MEATER Block.
Thank you so much for your strong support that allows us to confidently progress in our production of MEATER. We're putting in the hard work and innumerable hours in completing our campaign and are grateful for you sticking by us.
All the best,
Joseph, Teemu, and everyone at Apption Labs
Shipping Address
If your MEATER is going to a new destination, here's how to update your address on the Kickstarter website:
1) Go to our campaign page.
2) Click the blue "View Pledge" button.
3) Click the "Survey" tab from the pop-up window.
4) Under your current listed address, click "Edit Address".
You can still pre-order MEATER here if you want additional units or your friend missed the campaign.
38 | International MEAT of Mystery
over 7 years ago
– Fri, Dec 23, 2016 at 11:58:45 PM
APPchievement Unlocked!
Since enrolling in the Apple Developer Program more than one year ago we've been designing, coding, squashing bugs, and constantly improving the user experience of the MEATER app. Many builds and countless months of tap-tap-tapping on our smartphones later, we reached one of our biggest software breakthroughs to date! We submitted our MEATER app to the iTunes app store for review, got the approval stamp, and are now releasing it in the App Store! The cost to download the MEATER app, ONE MILLLLLLION DOLLARS! Just kidding =) IT'S FREE.
The Android version of the app will undergo a bit more testing, but will be following our iOS release not much later!
Production
We've received a small batch of units that we'll be sending out to our beta testers! This is our second round of beta testing but this time with units representing the final production version of MEATER.
Look at these beauties ready to ship!
At the factory, we're progressing towards a large quantity batch while keeping a strict eye on quality. Our current goal is to be shipping the bulk of mass produced MEATERs (single probe with charger) to our backers in January. When MEATER is being mass produced, we'll redirect the focus to MEATER Block and provide an estimated timeline then.
We hope you all have the happiest times celebrating the holidays with your loved ones, staying warm (or staying cool if you're near the equator), and spreading joy!
Cheerful holidays,
Joseph, Teemu, and the elves at Apption Labs
Shipping Address
If your MEATER is going to a new destination, here's how to update your address on the Kickstarter website:
1) Go to our campaign page.
2) Click the blue "View Pledge" button.
3) Click the "Survey" tab from the pop-up window.
4) Under your current listed address, click "Edit Address".
You can still pre-order MEATER here if you want additional units or your friend missed the campaign.
37 | TerMEATnator
over 7 years ago
– Mon, Dec 05, 2016 at 10:49:55 PM
Howdy! Hopefully all of you have kicked into holiday mode setting up decor, drinking gingerbread lattes, and eating peppermint bark! There's lots of activity in the factory so we'll keep the update short.
Production
The small batch production using the “frozen” build has passed our QC test. We are now moving forward with a bigger batch that will be representative of the final product shipping to backers. These units will be shipped to our next round of beta testers and possibly some of our early backers! We plan to increase the size of each production batch incrementally to ensure consistent build quality. Once we have production settled with our supplier, we will let everyone know of MEATER ship dates.
Certifications
Huzzah! We passed the CE tests! We’re now waiting for the documentation which will take another week. Coupled with the positive results from our small batch QC test, we are even more confident now as we move forward with the final version of MEATER.
Prepping For Release
Here’s a taste of an instructional video set we are creating to help get to know your MEATER product. This is a work-in-progress so stay tuned! There’s more to come.
