I never thought a shower head would be something worth reviewing but after seeing the American Standard Spectra eTouch 4-Function Shower Head (2.5 GPM) on display earlier this year at the Consumer Electronic Show, I had to get a demo unit to try at home.
First, the installation is simple, even for someone plumbing challenged as myself. But if you don’t trust yourself, please seek professional installation assistance, or even a handyman neighbor.
A touch control on the edge of 7-inch Spectra eTouch shower head allows you to switch between various spray patterns without turning the water off. And if that’s not cool enough, you also get a water proof remote that you can mount anywhere in the shower. This changes the water patterns with the touch of a finger.
The four spray patterns are: drench, jet, massage and sensitive spray. Each sprays out a significantly different pattern with different amounts of water pressure.
If a shower head could be built with technology considered cool, hip and modern, this is it.
Batteries for the remote are included (three CR2032 coin shaped batteries) along with mounting tape. If you don’t want to mount the remote, placing it on a shelf in the shower works fine.
www.americanstandard-us.com $179 available in polished chrome, brushed nickel, legacy bronze and polished nickel..
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European audio software developer Sonarworks has announced True-Fi technology, an innovative and really amazing desktop app to remove unwanted sound coloration from headphones. This provides a crystal-clear experience, just the way the artist created it.
The software is supported over 130 popular headphone models, including Apple, Beats, Bose, Sennheiser, Skullcandy and V-Moda. The complete list is on the Sonarworks site and the software is often updated to add compatible headphone manufacturers and models.
Setting it up is easy and fun after you hear the results. According to Sonarworks, the software employs measurement-based compensation profiles to correct tonal discrepancies that are caused by the headphones’ physical construction.
You can also personalize your listening preferences with your own hearing requirements.
After this, you’ll hear sound as the artist intended. Since I’ve never been in a recording studio I can’t say this matches what you hear there, but I can say my audio (tested on Sennheiser headphones) was greatly enhanced to a better sound with clarity.
The software works with both Mac and PC’s and a free trial is available.
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With the Case-Mate Power Pad wireless charger, just drop a smartphone into a standing dock without connecting any wires or connectors directly to your device for charging.
It supports fast and safe charging for Qi-enabled wireless charging devices such as the Apple iPhone (7.5 W) and Samsung Galaxy (9 W).
As noted to me from a Case-Mate representative, the Power Pad is designed with an Apple-esque look, which is certainly critical to the Apple alliance.
Using it is simple, assuming you have a Qi-enabled charging enabled device. You have choices of both standing charging where you can view the LCD in portrait or landscape viewing in the table top ergonomic stand with grips on the bottom to keep it in place or remove the charging pad and lay the smartphone down for flat charging.
Grips are included to keep it in place and certainly protects it during its charge and an LED displays the charging status.
www.case-mate.com $59.99
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Contact Gregg Ellman at greggellman@mac.com. Follow him on Twitter: @greggellman
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