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COFFEE IN YOUR POCKET. . . HOW THE PHONE CASE WORKS

WITH coffee shops on every corner, a caffeine buzz is rarely far away.

But for true addicts who never want to run short a company has come up with a smartphone case that doubles as an espresso maker.

It can hold and heat up a shot of coffee on demand.

The device, manufactured by the Italian firm Smart K, goes on sale today at £ 67. Although barely 1cm thick, the waterproof case can hold a 25ml capsule of liquid coffee and all the necessary micro-machinery. The capsule is heated to 60 degrees centigrade within eight seconds.

It all happens at the press of a button and the hot drink can be poured into a pop-up cup that comes with the case. The coffee capsules stay fresh for three months and come in three flavours – classic, toasted and Arabian.

Smart K, which is based in Naples, said the product was unique and would come to the rescue of those unable to reach an espresso bar. It said building the device into a phone case was logical because mobiles were always close to hand.

The company tried to raise money to develop the product on the crowdfunding website Kickstarter. More than £3,500 was pledged before Kickstarter suspended the project saying it did not meet its rules.

Yesterday, Smart K co-founder Clemente Bionde insisted his firm had cancelled the fundraising because it wanted to begin production right away. He said prototypes were ready and cases ordered online now would be delivered in September.