Technology @ Home: Can It Be Fun and Functional?

NORTH OLMSTED, OH, Oct 08 (MARKET WIRE) --
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 decor."

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(TM) 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.

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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

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