Seriously now.. do we really need that fine of a control over a simple shower? Do we really need gadgets to infiltrate that last great bastion of the home – the bathroom? Sigh.. I suppose so.

With that said, here is the Hansgrohe RainBrain Smart Shower touchpad unit. With this device in place, you’ll have complete control over your shower experience – from controlling the water temperature, to changing the water stream type, to even the lighting and music. Yes.. your showers will be … well pleasurable.

[Check it out via DVICE.com]

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[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: IDEAL LIFE Body Manager Plus, chair scale

I never would have imagined writing about a surge protector but the Belkin Conserve Energy-Saving 8 Outlet Surge Protector (model BG108000) is certainly one worth writing about. The surge protector comes with a wireless remote that allows you to easily turn off the protector – thereby completely shutting off all electricity to your devices.

Why is this important? Most modern electronic devices still consume some amount of power even though they’re technically “turned off” (typically known as “standby mode” or consuming “standby power”). To truly cut off power to these devices you either need to unplug the device, or shut off the surge protector altogether. Problem with most surge protectors – they’re placed in hidden away places making it hard to turn off the protector. AND hence.. we’ve got the Belkin Conserve Energy-Saving Surge Protector (that’s one long name eh?) with an included remote control making it incredibly easy to turn off devices. The protector comes with two “Always-On” outlets just in case you have devices that need to stay on all the time.

The Belkin 8 outlet surge protector has an MSRP of $49.99. Definitely will have to consider this one.

[Check it out]

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Sick of your plants dying under your care? Maybe what you really need is the EasyBloom Plant Sensor. Utilizing the same sensor technology as those found on NASA Mars missions, the EasyBloom Plant Sensor will help determine what plants are ideal for your location and what’s possibly wrong with your ailing plant.

To get going, simply place the sensor where you plan on having the plant and watch the device record a variety of environmental factors including soil conditions, moisture levels, and temperature levels. After 24 hours, simply plug the EasyBloom Plant Sensor into your PCs USB port and watch the data get transmitted to and analyzed by the EasyBloom website. The site will then either recommend plants for your location or tell you what’s wrong with your dying plant.

Sounds pretty handy right? You can purchase the EasyBloom Plant Sensor at a variety of locations including Amazon.com, Buy.com and Brookstone.com for a price of $59.95.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: EasyBloom Plant Sensor, CES 2009

I absolutely love home automation products – mostly because I wish I lived in a home that could warrant having home automation products!! The folks at Vantage/Legrand have announced their latest addition to their line of touch-screen displays – the TPT1040. This 10.4 inch in-wall mounted touch-screen display provides a “complete, customizable interface from which [users] can access and control their entire home.”

Features of the TPT1040 include:

• Intel X-Scale processor
• Linux Operating System
• Provides total control of the Vantage InFusion system
• Utilizes drag and drop programming of Vantage software
• Personalizable to cater to individual tastes
• Dealers can create attractive touch-screen solutions using preprogrammed libraries, widgets, and other design elements
• Supports InFusion Media Center components including music, photo album display, lighting, and more

The TPT1040 has customizable bezel colors including arctic white, pearl black, silver, or even your own desired color. No word on pricing but we figure it’ll be expensive.

Technorati Tags: Vantage/Legrand TPT1040

• “Back away from the scale!”
• “I think you just broke me”
• “You’re not big boned, you’re just fat”
• “You’re a deucer”
• “Eh eh.. can’t breathe”
• “It’s a good thing I talk cause you probably can’t see me”
• “Hey get Pavarotti off me”

Yes.. it’s not exactly PC about things is it? Luckily it comes with a “shut up“ for those days you just don’t want to hear from it. You can purchase it here for $49.90.

[Check it out via ChipChick]

Technorati Tags: My Weigh FunWeigh Scale

Say hello to the new GE Profile SmartDispense Washer and Dryer units. These washer/dryer units are probably the easiest and smartest units out there today.

If you’re like me, then you’re probably sick of dealing with laundry detergent – especially carrying it to the machine, pouring the right amount of liquids for your particular laundry load.. etc etc. Major pain in the rear end! Well with the SmartDispense, all of that is a thing of the past.

The units sit atop pedestals that hide detergent and fabric softener which are then automatically dispensed into the washer based on each load’s size, soil level, water hardness, and fabric of cycle type. This means you no longer have to worry about dispending detergent on your own- the system does it on its own! How cool is that?

The SmartDispense washer unit also comes with special cycles for different kinds of clothing items and it’s capable of treating more than 40 different combinations of stains and fabric types. You’ll also find H2ITION technology which automatically senses the load and adds just the right amount of water to save time and money. Other features include:

• 4.2 cubic foot capacity tub
• 1300 RPM spin speed

The smart tech also extends to the dryer unit as the system comes with the DuoDry system with variable heater and dual motors, thermistors, and moisture sensors to help dry clothes faster and more evenly. 

Finally both the SmartDispense washer and dryer units can “talk” to one another – with information about the particular load passed from the washer to the dryer unit – eliminating guesswork about the load.

The GE Profile SmartDispense Frontload Washer has a suggested retail price of $1299 while the Dryer has a suggested retail price of $1099. Both will be available next summer.

Technorati Tags: GE Profile SmartDispense Frontload Washer, Dryers

For those of you into fridges, here are other related specs to the RFG299:

• 28.5 cu ft volume
• High-rate urethane insulation technology allows the walls to be only 1.38 inches thick
• Interior LED lighting
• EZ-Open Handle
• Twin Cooling Plus System allows the main body and the freezer section to be cooled separately.

The Samsung RFG299 is available in stainless steel at Best Buy.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Samsung RFG299 French Door Refrigerator

File this under “Why didn’t someone think of this earlier?” – it’s the Digital Thermometer Pan and yes, as the name implies, it’s a skillet with a built-in digital thermometer. Wow.. go figure! The pan measures 7.8 inches diameter, uses a Dupont-nonstick surface, and shows temperature readings in either Fahrenheit or Celsius. The pan is also dishwasher safe, and works on direct heat and induction cooktops. You can purchase the Digital Thermometer Pan from ThinkGeek for $49.99.

[Check it out via DVICE.com]

Technorati Tags: Digital Thermometer Pan, Home Appliances

Now you too can have a frakkin Cylon toaster in your own home. Yes.. your eyes are not deceiving you – it’s a Limited Edition Battlestar Galactica Cylon Toaster being sold at the NBC Universal Store for a price of $65 dollars. This toaster will also supposedly brand your piece of bread with a picture of a Cylon face. If only the toaster would say “By Your Command”.

[Check it out via SlashGear, Ubergizmo]

Technorati Tags: Battlestar Galactica, Toaster, NBC Universal Store

If you’re going to weigh yourself constantly and you’re a fan of Hello Kitty, then you might as well get yourself the Hello Kitty Multi-Functional Scale. Multi-functional you ask?? Yup.. this scale not only shows you your weight, but it’ll show you your body’s water level, and whether you’re overweight or underweight (the site’s description also says calories but it’s not clear in what context it’s used). In typical Hello Kitty fashion, the scale is in glorious punk and the top of the scale is made out of glass. It uses a cell battery and keep in mind that batteries are indeed not included. One small downer – it’s pretty expensive coming in at $129.99. Dang it kitty..

[Check it out via Chip Chick]

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Looking more like a combination Craft-matic bed and something out of 2001 : A Space Odyssey, the Hollandia Platinum-Luxe Elite sleep system combines high tech goodness into a bed platform capable of providing up to a dozen individual massage programs. On the tech side of things, the Hollandia sleep system integrates a 32 inch Sony Bravia HDTV system, Sony DVD/CD changer, 5 speaker surround sound system, subwoofer, and iPod docking station while the bed itself comes with massage programs designed to knead away all that stress you have in your body. Seems pretty cool but honestly.. I hate the look of the head and foot-boards.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Hollandia, Platinum-Luxe Elite, Bed

The folks at ThinkGeek.com are selling one of the coolest light contraptions ever – it’s called the Bi-Color LED Blow On-Off Candles and they’re basically electronic candles. These candles are actually made out of solid wax but inside you’ll find an LED light that when turned on, looks and acts like a normal flickering flame. Now here’s the cool part – blow at the “candle” and it’ll turn off. Blow at it again, and the candle will turn back on. You even have a choice of color too – pick from either a cool blue flame or a yellowish flame. There are two candles for sale – a 4 inch candle which uses button type batteries and a 6 inch candle which uses 4 AAA batteries. Both candles are three inches in diameter. The 4 inch candle goes for $11.99 while the 6 inch candle is selling for $14.99.

[Check it out via SlashGear]

Technorati Tags: Bi-Color LED Blow On-Off Candles, ThinkGeek

• Built-in infrared chip
• 100% handsfree operations
• Removable hard plastic top cover for easy cleaning
• Comes with garbage bag fix ring
• Uses 4 C batteries
• Low energy consumption with 6 month battery life
• 1.5 gallon capacity
• Measures 10 x 10 x 12 inches

You can purchase one for $29.95.

[Check it out via Gear Live]

Technorati Tags: Touch-Free Trash Can

Who said a home thermostat needs to be boring? Certainly not the folks at AMX as they’re now selling the ENV-VST-C ViewStat Color Communicating Thermostat. The ENV-VST-C brings home thermostats to a new level thanks to it’s 3.5 inch color active TFT display and intuitive user interface. Features of the ENV-VST-C include the following:

• Full programmable for automatic scheduling, automatic temperature and relative humidity adjustments, and power-outage protection
• Communicates with existing AMX control system
• 3.5 inch, 320 x 240 resolution color active display provides clear bright images
• Humidity display and control
• 7/1 programmable settings with 4 set points per day
• Energy Star and California Title 24 compliant
• 5 day weather forecast optional (through a subscription service)
• Current date and time
• Communicates with AMX NetLinx control system
• Stylish design and paintable surface
• Versatile HVAC control
• Includes remote temperature sensor for reading outdoor or second zone temperature

[Check it out via GearFuse]

Technorati Tags: AMX, ENV-VST-C

Mikhailtech has published a review of the Brando USB Mini Fridge here on their website. Yes.. this is exactly what it looks like.. a small miniature fridge just large enough to hold a can of soda and entirely powered by a USB connection. The official list of features includes:

• Cools a beverage from 5V USB power
• Holds a single can
• Internal LED light
• No batteries required
• Plug and play
• Measures 19.4 x 9 x 9 cm and weighs 362 grams

Somehow, Mikhailtech managed to get three pages of review text out of this product (well he did take some temperature performance measurements too). Here’s the verdict:

The USB mini fridge is actually a really cool idea (no pun intended). It’s quite an accomplishment to be able to pack all that into a single USB powered device. Unfortunately, as testing revealed the surface area of a typical can in contact with the cooling plate is just not enough.

Read more here.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Mikhailtech, USB Mini Fridge, Review

Ah yes – those staple-free staplers are back and this time they’re taking shape in the form of a dog and a cat. You can purchase these cutesy looking office contraptions at ThinkGeek.com for $7.99 a piece. How do they work exactly? Well the “Doggie and Kitty Staple Free Staplers” simply cut a small flap and a notch in the papers you’re trying to keep together. It then folds the flap back into the notch which keeps everything together naturally. No real staples nor glue used. Yeah.. it’s pretty much a device geared towards kids if you ask me.

[Check it out via Ubergizmo]

Technorati Tags: Doggie and Kitty Staple Free Staplers

Lauren Moriarty will launch a new lampshade at Tent London this September called Sunrise. Designed by Pu Tai, the lampshade is constructed with thermochromic materials that changes color and gradually become translucent after being exposed to the heat from the light bulb, revealing a London skyline.

More at Pu Tai’s Website.

Technorati Tags: Sunrise Photochromic Lampshade, Lauren Moriarty, Pu Tai

Have you ever wished you could take a small air purifier with you wherever you went? Well now you can with the Blueair AirPod. This personal air purifier is small enough to carry with you and will fit in nearly any environment. All you need to do is set it down, plug it in (unfortunately it needs AC power) and you’ve got what Blueair calls a “personal clean airzone”. What’s also nice about the AirPod is the sleek compact design of the air purifier which you can further customize by selecting a stylish filter pattern. The Blueair AirPod is selling for $114.95.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Blueair, AirPod, Air Purifier, Personal Air Purifier

Have you ever wondered how much electricity a piece of equipment actually consumes in your household? We all know how much the electric company thinks we’ve consumed.. but just how much is that television set, DVR, or home theater PC really eating? Well the folks at the Gadgeteer have posted a review of the Kill-A-Watt EZ Electricity Usage Monitor which aims to help consumers figure out how much juice something actually consumes.

The device is a cinch to use. You punch in the cost of electricity (per kWh – which is provided in your electricity bill), and then you plug in the device you want to monitor. The Kill-A-Watt EZ Electricity Usage Monitor then figures out the cost of the device over the span of an hour, a day, a month, or a year. Here’s the verdict from the Gadgeteer:

This review of the Kill-A-Watt really hit home the fact that with a little knowledge, we can greatly effect what we pay every month / year for our electric usage. …  It’s up to me what I do with that information. Regardless, this product an easy to use tool that can help save you money.

I think the most telling use of the device is when they compared electricity usage from a CFL bulb compared to an incandescent bulb. They ended up getting a cost of $40.71 for their CFL bulb vs. 205 per year on the incandescent. That’s a pretty significant difference.

I might have to get one of these just to see what sucks up all the power in my home.

[Check it out]

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