# 88: The Last Detail with Jason Snell

- Show: [Thoroughly Considered](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered)
- Published: 2022-11-03
- Length: 1h 03m
- Episode: 88
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2022-11-03-88-the-last-detail-with-jason-snell
- Listen: http://relay.fm/tc/88

## Summary

Jason Snell, founder of sixcolors.com, discusses his Breville The Tea Maker, a stainless steel and glass appliance that automates steeping by lowering and lifting a magnetic infuser basket. The hosts analyze the device's mechanical engineering, specifically the magnet-driven mechanism, and its user interface, debating the trade-offs between presets and manual controls. They also contrast Breville's design philosophy with competitors like the Breville Smart T Infuser and the Breville Joule, highlighting the importance of physical controls over app-dependent smart features.

## Chapters

- [0:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2022-11-03-88-the-last-detail-with-jason-snell#t=8) Introduction: Jason Snell and the Breville The Tea Maker
- [3:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2022-11-03-88-the-last-detail-with-jason-snell#t=233) History and Reliability: 7 Years of Use and One Failure
- [6:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2022-11-03-88-the-last-detail-with-jason-snell#t=366) Mechanical Engineering: The Magnetic Infuser Basket Mechanism
- [10:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2022-11-03-88-the-last-detail-with-jason-snell#t=654) User Interface: Presets vs. Custom Controls and Knobs
- [16:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2022-11-03-88-the-last-detail-with-jason-snell#t=1005) Industrial Design: Glass, Stainless Steel, and Branding
- [29:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2022-11-03-88-the-last-detail-with-jason-snell#t=1748) Manufacturing Constraints: Borosilicate Glass and Tooling
- [38:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2022-11-03-88-the-last-detail-with-jason-snell#t=2320) Comparison: Breville Smart T Infuser and Knockoffs
- [48:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2022-11-03-88-the-last-detail-with-jason-snell#t=2902) Breville's Market Position: Target vs. Walmart and the 'Bit More' Button
- [53:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2022-11-03-88-the-last-detail-with-jason-snell#t=3222) Smart Home Philosophy: Physical Controls vs. Apps (Joule vs. Nova)
- [56:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2022-11-03-88-the-last-detail-with-jason-snell#t=3379) Dieter Rams Principles: Unobtrusive, Useful, and Innovative

## Topics

- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Breville (company)
- The Tea Maker (product)
- sixcolors.com (company)
- Breville Smart T Infuser (product)
- Breville Joule (product)
- Lutron Caseta (product)
- Nest Thermostat (product)
- Ecobee (product)

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- [How to Design and Build Connected Devices | Wai Loong-Lim, Founder and CEO of Y Studios | #AskIoT E023](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2019-04-17-how-to-design-and-build-connected-devices-wai-loong-lim-founder-and-ceo-of-y-stu) (IoT For All Podcast)
- [Ep 330: Hover Turtles, Dull Designs, and K'nex Computers](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-07-25-ep-330-hover-turtles-dull-designs-and-knex-computers) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Afterschool Podcast, Episode 10 - Joey Roth (11/1)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/core77-podcast/2013-11-04-afterschool-podcast-episode-10-joey-roth-11-1) (Core77 Podcast)
- [407: Mutant Cough](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2023-08-11-407-mutant-cough) (Making It)

## Citing this page

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