Skip to main content

With Textspresso, you can order your espresso with a text message

Textspresso
Image used with permission by copyright holder

With the rise of Seamless and self-checkout lanes at supermarkets and pharmacies, it seems there is an upward trend in the elimination of human interaction in everyday purchases. The Seattle-based startup Zipwhip takes this a step further by introducing a coffee maker that accepts orders via text message, taking away the need to even be at the coffee shop less the need to wait in line and communicate with the barista.

The Textspresso machine demonstrates the power of cloud texting by accepting orders remotely through SMS. Ideally, the machine will probably be used at home or in offices rather than a commercial setting, so one can hypothetically ask Textspresso to have a piping hot cup waiting for them minutes before they arrive home or when they’re in an elevator on the way up to the office. Textspresso understands simple commands, such as the type of coffee you want between espresso, latte, or just plain coffee, but you will likely have to add your own milk and sugar.

Another feature to Textspresso is an edible ink printer that will type words on your drink’s top layer of cream to signify whatever message you want. In the above picture, the coffee features a name so we assume this would be helpful if Textspresso is used in a common area where multiple people are sending orders to the machine at the same time. But please, don’t get any ideas about start having marriage proposals on a cup of coffee.

Textspresso originally began as an experiment to illustrate cloud texting between computer and Android devices. In Zipwhip’s latest blog post, the company clarified that unfortunately, they will not be making Textspresso for the public market as the startup is a cloud texting company. In an interview with Geekwire, Zipwhip CEO John Lauer said Textspresso took 20 days to build so commercial mass production seems to be unlikely.

However, if you are a computer whiz who want to learn to program your own gadgets in the same manner, visit the Zipwhip site to download the free service to set up your own Textspresso or similar-type machines. Free is definitely better than whatever Textspresso would have cost, and a little programming lesson along the way isn’t a bad benefit.

Meanwhile, if you’re looking for a cool gizmo to create espresso on the go, check out Handpresso Auto. It might not read text messages, but it can make you a hot cup right in your car so you don’t actually have to be home or in a kitchen to enjoy some serious caffeination. 

Image Credit: Gizmag

Editors' Recommendations

Natt Garun
Former Digital Trends Contributor
An avid gadgets and Internet culture enthusiast, Natt Garun spends her days bringing you the funniest, coolest, and strangest…
5 things you should never do with your gaming laptop
Doom Eternal running on an Alienware x14 R2.

You finally settled on the best gaming laptop, but how do you take care of it? There's the routine maintenance of installing Windows updates and updating your GPU drivers, but there are some critical mistakes you should avoid to keep your gaming laptop running smoothly.

I've reviewed dozens of gaming laptops and used them for years, and I've learned that some basic preventative steps can keep your gaming laptop performing at its best. Here are the things you should pay attention to.
Let it get dirty

Read more
Wix Free Trial: Can you build a website for free?
wix free trial website builder banner

At one time, knowing how to make a website was reserved for professional developers and code junkies with explicit knowledge. That's no longer true. A lot of steps have been taken to make it a more consumer-friendly endeavor, with companies like Wix simplifying both the design and development process for everyday people in need of a website. Now everyone can build their own website or portal, and you don't need programming, graphic design, or web design expertise. Whether you are a photographer in search of alternatives to Instagram and Facebook or want a website of your own after getting started on blogging sites, a Wix free trial is a great way to go about getting started.
Is there a Wix free trial?

When it comes to its premium plans, there is a Wix free trial, and it’s one of the better free trials you’ll come across. The Wix free trial is good for 14 days, and while it’s more officially a 14-day refund window than an actual free trial, all you have to do is create an account and provide payment information to get going. This gives you 14 days of access to all of Wix’s premium membership features, allowing you to compare it to any of the other best website builders, as well as to the Squarespace free trial.

Read more
How to send a text message from a computer
A close up of a person's hands typing on a laptop.

If you’re on a computer and you get a text on your phone, wouldn’t it be great if you could reply without picking it up? Yes, it would, and there are great apps and services that enable just that ability.

Whether you use Apple or Android, you can send and receive text messages on a Mac, Windows PC, or Chromebook. Keep reading to determine which option works best for you.

Read more