Smart Faucet

Smart Faucet
by iHouse

Ha! Old habits die hard....next is a high-tech faucet that is both stylish and functional. With its sleek form and state of the art design,  the high-tech smart faucet by iHouse certainly jazzes up any boring bathroom! :)

What is so smart about this stylish looking faucet?


iHouse Smart Faucet features a face recognition system and turns on the water automatically to the preferred configurations (i.e. temperature, pressure, flow etc) for different individuals. This is very useful if you have multiple inhabitants in your house and saves the hassle of having to remix the water to the desired temperature and flow every time you use it. It even allows for you to check your calendar, access email and so on through a touchscreen interface.

Furthermore aside from its sleek stylish form, its LED light changes gradually to show the varying temperature with blue for cool and red for higher temperatures. The video below show how it actually works. However, unfortunately it is not in English. :(

My Verdict? Having automatic water temperature and pressure function allows you to shave off some time from your hectic schedule. However I doubt its email and calendar feature is very useful due to its limited screen size.

Furthermore, I am not sure whether if this Smart Faucet is smart enough to premix the water settings according to the different climate seasons. However if it does, it is worth an investment.

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Smart Coffee-table

Smart Coffee-table

I have covered Smart Glass, Smart Mirror in my last few posts. Well, I will cover the Smart Coffee- table next. :)
Still clueless?  The videos below gives a general introduction of what a Smart Coffee-table is about.




What are the types of Smart Coffe-table available in the market?

In actuality, there is a long list of other Smart Coffee-table available in the market. In addition, they do not necessary encompasses all the cool tech-features depicted in the video above. However they do have one thing in common – they are stylish and certainly a good conversation starter over a cup of coffee. :D

My Verdict?

I have my first hands-on experience with the Smart Coffee-table in Fusionopolis when it is showcased in the Smart Home Living section. However like any new gadget, the novelty wears off eventually. In addition, your neck certainly aches after spending sometime with it and thus it is not recommended if you want to perform tasks like internet surfing, work and gaming. Furthermore, you might have to replace your Coffee-table every few years after its technology has become obsolete.

Nonetheless, Smart Coffee-table with in-built audio system does help to integrate music more seamlessly into your daily life.

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Smart Mirror

Smart Mirror

Okay, I admit I am a geek...really this is an occupation hazard..

At work, I studied the latest technology that can be incorporated and harnessed for work to be more effective and efficient. Hence, I hope that we can also do the same thing in the comfort of our homes! :)

Previously, I did a post on Smart Glass. So next on my list of staples for the Smart Home of the Future is the .... *Drum Roll*

Smart Mirror!

Technology is progressing rapidly and user adoption depends heavily on whether it is able to integrate tightly in our day-to-day life. Thus, it seems logical that daily ubiquitous household staples like mirrors are being targeted.

What does a Smart Mirror do? Smart Mirror probably allow for people to check mails, schedules, appointments, Facebook, read news, see weather forecast, surf website, display date, time, temperature, listen to music and the list goes on. Inshort, it is pretty similar to an iPad which doubles up as a mirror.

My Verdict?

To be honest, even though this mirror is pretty cool, there’s no denying that the functions that it provides is pretty trivial. Aside from providing the convience of staying connected during bathroom breaks, it is hard to envision how else it can make your life more efficient. Moreover, it is probably expensive to install one and time spent in front of the mirror is not very significant.

I am interested in getting one...so where can I find it?

You should be able to get it at ROCA. For Singapore, Interior Affairs is the company which carries this product.

The Smart Mirror solution named Innova Radio, allows you to connect to a range of functions: stereo FM radio, lighting, time and ambient temperature.The Innova radio also has a USB port for you to connect to an MP3 player, a fluorescent light externally controllable via the main bathroom switch and a demister system.

Update: Interior Affairs is retailing the Smart Mirror @ the price of $3,170 (excluding 7% GST and installation fee of $80) with 2 years warranty.

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Glass that turns OPAQUE at will!

Imagine turning your glass panels opaque at the touch of a button!  How cool can this get?! Now, you can even use this for your home. So, what is this amazing product known as?

*Drum rolls*

It is the "SMART GLASS"!!

Ok, I know that that name doesn't mean anything. So, there is a video that illustrates what exactly a Smart Glass looks like.

Here is another cool one...see it "live" in action (only for those living Singapore)!

When I chance upon this at Privacy Solution, they refer this product as “Magic Film” or “Magic Glass”. I was like huh? Magic? Oh ya, anyway it does work like magic (Btw, I tried to look around for similar products that goes under this name and get nothing useful. Somehow, the term “Smart Glass” came up and I managed to dig up something) but nevertheless, I finally decided that the name “Smart Glass” is more catchy and appropriate.

Oh yes, in case some of the geeks out there want to know what other name this product is known as: Photochromics, Liquid Crystal,  Photochromatics, Thermotropics, Suspended Particle Displays or whatever-you-called-it basically are similar products. :)

Okay, back to the topic. You may wonder:

So ya, this "Smart Glass" thingy or whatever-you-called-it is really cool. But how does this apply for my home renovation?

They can be used for:

• Window panels;
• Substitutes for concrete walls;
• Substitutes for wooden doors;
• Table tops etc.

Why are they recommended?
Glass allows for more light penetration, and this makes your home appear bigger and brighter. Thus, traditional doors and concrete walls can be replaced by such products to allow more illumination or privacy whenever desired. Some people have used it for toilets, kitchen, study room and so on.

Okay, I am sold. So how does it work?

Basically, when no electricity is applied, the liquid crystal molecules in the specially built glass are aligned in such a way that they allow light to pass through. However when a voltage is applied, these same molecules will rearrange themselves in a way that blocks and obstructs the light.

Enough of how useful it is, any CONS for such a solution?
Obviously, this product is NOT cheap. Furthermore, they do add-on to your monthly electrical bills. I also notice that when in “clear” state, the glass appears a tinny winnie bit frosted as compared to a normal clear glass. In addition, as any other electrical products, they do get spoiled in the long run. So you should look out for the warrenty period, the longer the better.

Where can I find them?

Some international sites which offer such a solution:

• Spd-systems
• Prodisplay
• Polytronix
• Switchlite

Local (Singapore) site:

• Privacy Solution

The Verdict?
Overall, the “Smart Glass” is a worthwhile solution to consider. However, you should access on your needs, budget and lifestyle before deciding on whether to install one for your place. :)

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