NORTH OLMSTED, OH--(Marketwire - October 8, 2009) - You have your PDA. Your GPS. And the
all-important apps on your iPhone. Digital technology is not only a part
of our daily lives; but these devices really help to solve everyday
problems faster and easier. But at the end of the day... when it's time to
unwind at home, are all digital devices actually functional -- or are some
of them just fun?
"While it's true that the first generation of tech-savvy products for the
home were very game-like in their functionality, manufacturers have learned
that in order for a product to succeed in the digital marketplace, it has
to offer a lot more than just a fun interface," said Jack Suvak, director
of market research and insights, Moen. "Many products today offer
functionality and fun -- and turning technology on at home doesn't mean
your house is going to resemble a scene from 'The Jetsons'... with robotic
appliances and cold, difficult-to-use products. Today's tech-savvy
products can be user-friendly and blend seamlessly into your décor."
And, most of these products are found in the three rooms you use most --
the kitchen, master bathroom and bedroom.
Counter Intelligence
The kitchen was one of the first rooms to incorporate technology, so many
homeowners are comfortable with adding digital devices to this hub of the
home. Plus, we've all seen how technology really can "work" in the kitchen
-- and is more than just a frivolous addition to the room. From microwaves
that can sense the weight of food and adjust cooking times accordingly...
to dishwashers which can sanitize dishes and glassware instantly... these
tech-savvy additions have become a mainstay in many American homes.
Not surprising, research by Moen found that the kitchen was rated as the
most important room to add technology (at 20 percent), followed by the
master bedroom (16 percent) and master bathroom (15 percent).
One of the most unique digital devices to enter the kitchen scene recently
is the Verizon Hub. This innovative home communications system allows
families to stay current and connected by managing their communications,
contacts and calendars, all from one easy screen on the kitchen countertop.
Perfect for the busy family, the Verizon Hub allows users to do everything
from check local traffic and weather before leaving the house, update your
calendar and automatically receive a text when an appointment changes, find
the number of a new restaurant or get directions to a new site when soccer
practice is moved. Families on-the-go can also access the functionality of
the Verizon Hub remotely from a companion web site and the home-based Hub
will be instantly updated.
And for those who actually still cook in the kitchen... there are a number
of smart, tech-savvy appliances for the chef in all of us. Sharp's
SuperSteam Oven has a sensor that measures the moisture in food, so it
knows when to stop popping popcorn, defrosting chicken or reheating
lasagna. Plus, you'll never have another piece of burned toast with the
Breville Smart Toaster. This innovative machine comes with a chip that
detects bread temperature, so it knows to cook frozen slices or thick
bagels just a little longer.
Beeping in the Bath
After the kitchen, the master bathroom was one of the next-highest-rated
rooms in which homeowners desired technology -- primarily because many
experience problems in the bath where a touch of technology could provide
extra assistance. According to Moen research, 42 percent of those surveyed
experienced one of the following problems in the bath:
-- Water temperature in the shower is difficult to set/control
-- Water temperature in the bath tub is difficult to set/control
-- Bath tub water gets cold too quickly
Fortunately, there's an innovative, tech-savvy product which provides a
solution to all of these problems. The new ioDIGITAL™ easy-to-use
interface from Moen gives consumers the ability to set and maintain water
temperature and flow in their shower or bath with electronic precision.
"With ioDIGITAL, it's like having your own personal digital 'butler' --
that will set your vertical spa with the perfect temperature and flow; turn
on your shower from across the room or while still in bed; or even top off
your bath with hot water," said Mark Knurek, senior product manager, Moen.
"And the best part is that you can do all of this as easily as if you were
programming a car radio. It's that simple."
The foundation of ioDIGITAL is its intelligent interface. Providing quick,
visual feedback, LED indicators flash until the requested settings are
achieved -- no more guessing if your shower or bath is ready. Plus, the
Roman Tub application features a remote control with a Hot Top Off feature,
which allows users to easily warm their bath by filling the tub at the
lowest flow setting with the hottest water temperature.
Let's Get Digital in the Bedroom
And finally, if you think the only digital device made for your bedroom is
the snooze button -- think again. There are products that actually help
make sure you get a restful night of sleep. With the Zeo Personal Sleep
Coach, you slip on a headband when you go to bed, which transmits your
sleep information wirelessly to the Zeo bedside display and alarm clock.
In the morning, the bedside display tells how you slept (how many times you
woke up, how long you were in deep sleep, etc.), and then you can visit a
personalized web site to upload your sleep data. Once you start tracking
the patterns, you can understand how your lifestyle affects your slumber
time and get personal tips on how to get a night of better zzz's.
"Even in today's economic times, be it ever so humbled or price reduced,
there's still no place like home," said Robin Avni, senior director and
lead home/garden strategist, Iconoculture, a leading consumer research and
advisory firm. "And homeowners are still willing to invest in little
luxuries -- especially those with technology -- as they enable us to stay
connected with each other as well as the outside world."
And while tech-savvy products may seem like a big bite for some to chew...
imagine how we ever manually rolled down our car window -- or actually used
a key to open the door? What once seemed like unnecessary inventions are
now modern conveniences we couldn't live without.
For more information about the ioDIGITAL system from Moen or research
information, visit moen.com/ioDIGITAL or call 1-800-BUY-MOEN.
Moen offers a diverse selection of thoughtfully designed, on-trend
kitchen faucets,
bathroom faucets,
showerheads, and
stainless steel sinks for residential and commercial applications. As
the #1 faucet brand in North America, customers have come to rely on Moen
to deliver dependable products and service. Moen is part of Fortune Brands,
Inc. (
NYSE:
FO) (
www.fortunebrands.com), a leading consumer brands company.
Contact Information: Contact:
Kathy Flinn
Director, Advertising & Brand
Moen Incorporated
(800) 321-8809, Ext. 2330
media@moen.com
Jennifer Allanson or Kristi Stolarski
Falls Communications
(216) 696-0229
jallanson@fallscommunications.com or kstolarski@fallscommunications.com
