This is where I go geek. This is what the Japanese call a 'pot' (a great present from my mother-in-law). It's a type of kettle, but unlike other kettles, you don't switch it on every time you want you want hot water. Instead, you fill it up, it boils, and then it keeps the water permanently at 90-95 degrees. When you want tea, coffee, cup noodle or whatever, you just hold the cup under the spout and press the button. If you're the person who drinks tea or coffee pretty much constantly (like when I'm working), it's a godsend, never having to wait for the kettle to boil. Yeah, I know, simple things...