Are you ready for the brave new world of Digital Showering? Kohler has an over-the-top product for you a portable smart speaker with built-in Alexa that slots right into your showerhead.
That means you can ask Alexa to cue up your favorite playlist, find the latest news, or order more shampoo, all without leaving the comfort of your shower. In fact, why not just stay there for the rest of the day? It’s cold outside, and you’ll only have to work if you leave the house. “Alexa, drown out the outside world please.”
The speaker itself uses sound by Harman Kardon, and has been tuned to work even over the sound of running water. It’s waterproof, and docks via magnets; that way you can pull it out easily to drop it into the supplied charging dock. If you’re not quite convinced by the idea of Alexa listening in as you shower, Kohler is also going to offer a second version which works as a Bluetooth speaker but with no assistant tech.
Battery life on the Bluetooth-only model is 6-7 hours at 70-percent volume, Kohler says, while the Alexa-powered AI model is up to 5 hours at the same volume. The Bluetooth version can be paired with multiple units for louder sound; Kohler says that’ll eventually roll out to the Alexa model, when Amazon enables it.
You can buy the simple Bluetooth speaker version for $99 or a version with Alexa for $159. Buying the showerhead costs an additional $70. Kohler says the whole system will be available to buy sometime later in 2020.
