There are few — if any — innovations in the shower head industry groundbreaking enough to warrant one’s attention, however, a recent Kickstarter project absolutely falls into the ‘few’ category. Launched this week on the popular crowdfunding website, a novel intelligent shower head dubbed the I-Switch appears as fun to use as it is efficient. Featuring motion sensing technology which grants users the ability to change streams by waving their hand, the head also boasts perhaps the best feature native to any relative product: the ability to dramatically conserve water and energy.
A feature that is not the least bit a gimmick, the I-Switch shower head apparently cuts water use by an astounding 50 percent while in Mist mode. By making use of high pressure, Mist allows owners to reduce the amount of water used during a shower without feeling as though they are standing under a slowly trickling stream. Further, due in part to the fact the shower head operates solely off a hydro generator, there is never the need to change or charge batteries.
“Many families find that they’re paying a significant amount each month just to provide water to their home,” said I-Switch manufacturing company Huale on its Kickstarter page. “Since the I-Switch uses 50 percent less water in the Powerful Mist mode, imagine the savings this will translate to on [their] monthly water bill — in about one year, the shower head will actually pay for itself.”
And how about that price? Though early adopters have the ability to buy an I-Switch showerhead for roughly $133, Huale does offer Kickstarter discounted versions for just $159 once the early adopter specials run out. Compared to its future retail price of $268, the early adopter and Kickstarter discounted variations are wildly attractive.
Aside from helping users conserve water, the I-Switch showerhead also lets owners have a bit of fun with the thing. As mentioned above, Huale outfit the head with gesture controls which allow anyone showering with the device to quickly change the type of water stream just by waving their hand. One swipe changes the stream from Rain to Mist, whereas another changes it from Mist to Bubble — and so on.
Huale also made the I-Switch come standard with LED lighting capable of alerting owners to the general range in water temperature. Blue lighting signals the water temperature is below 80 degrees Fahrenheit, green means it is between 80 and 105 degrees, then red indicates a water temperature greater than 105 degrees. In other words, never again will anyone using an I-Switch hop into a freezing cold shower thinking it is already warmed up.
An innovative approach to a shower head, the I-Switch has already raised just shy of $6,000 with 34 days left in the campaign. Huale is hoping to reach its goal of $97,357 to bring this device to a wider audience.
Outdoor security cameras are not always practical if you live in an apartment or rental. Drilling into an exterior wall may be off-limits, while pointing a regular indoor camera through a window can create another problem once reflections start showing up after dark.
Baseus is trying to solve both issues with the new PrimeSentinel W1, a $69.99 security camera designed specifically to monitor the outdoors through glass. It mounts directly to a window without drilling and uses a 4K Starlight sensor with an F1.0 aperture for full-color monitoring during the day and at night.
This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Best Buy.
Technology evolves every day, transforming how we live and work. Our devices are becoming more than tools we use. They are increasingly capable companions that help streamline day-to-day routines and spark creative ideas. If you have been waiting for the right moment to upgrade your tech setup, the Discover Samsung Shopping Event offers an opportunity to explore what connected, AI-powered living can look like.
With AI progressing so fast, it's only a matter of time before we start getting AI companions like the ones we used to see in movies like R2-D2, Wall-E, or Baymax. Now, Singapore-based OKA Technology has unveiled Mori, a cute little AI companion that looks less like a conventional home robot and more like someone turned the Pokémon Foongus into a table lamp.
Mori isn't meant to clean your house or control your smart home, but to serve as what OKA calls a "Nature Companion." It uses subtle movements, warm lighting, nature-inspired sounds, and small reactions to make its presence around the house feel calming rather than distracting. Mori can sit quietly while you read, sway along to music, welcome you when you enter a room, or encourage you to slow down for a moment without requiring a screen or a conversation.