If you compared the efficiency of steam engines during industrial revolution with the ones used today, or power generation from 100 years ago to that of now, or between just about any chemical process, manufacturing method or agricultural technique at its invention and now, you'd be amazed by the difference. In some cases, the activity of today was
several orders of magnitude more wasteful just 100 years ago.
Or, I guess look at how size, energy use and speed of computer hardware evolved over the past 70 years. Point is, implementation being, right now, "resource/energy expensive and murky at best" is how many very powerful inventions look at the beginning.
> If someone is thirsty, the water is the most important part, not the type of glass:)
Sure, except here, we're talking about one group selling a glass imbued with breakthrough nanotech, allowing it to keep the water at desired temperature indefinitely, and continuously refill itself by sucking moisture out of the air. Sometimes, the type glass may really matter, and then it's not surprising many groups strive to be able to produce it.