While there are now quite a few Bluetooth speakers that can be used in the shower, they all periodically need to be taken out and recharged. The Shower Power speaker is different, in that it's continuously powered by the running shower water.
Manufactured by US startup Ampere, the waterproof Shower Power is simply screwed into place between a third-party shower head and the shower arm pipe that protrudes out of the wall. Like other Bluetooth speakers, it's wirelessly paired with the user's smartphone or tablet.
Once the shower is turned on, the running water spins up an impeller inside the speaker. That impeller is connected to a small generator, which charges the integrated 2,600-mAh lithium-ion battery. As a result, the Shower Power automatically switches itself on as soon as the water starts running.
Additionally, once the battery is fully charged (which takes 14 to 16 hours of showering), the speaker can reportedly be used for up to 14 hours without the water running.
Users control music playback utilizing button controls on the device itself, or via an optional wireless remote – although it should be noted that the latter isn't shower-powered. The same is true of the optional Droplet, which is a wirelessly linked second speaker that can be placed in another location within the bathroom.
According to its designers, use of the Shower Power doesn't affect shower pressure or water usage. And as an added bonus – to the environment, that is – it's made from 100-percent recycled ocean plastic.
Should you be interested, it's currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign. A pledge of US$59 will get you one, when and if reaches production. The planned retail price is $99.95.
Source: Kickstarter
Once you've installed this and your family has tripled the water bill, this will be heading to the trash. It will affect water usage because you will want to stay longer to listen longer. If you don't pay for your water by usage (Canada ?) maybe that's OK with you.
It's certainly smart but I don't feel the tech is being used for the right reason. Use the bluetooth to send me info on my water consumption, I'm more interested.
If the charging unit was installed the main water line the time required to charge would be better but then the speaker would have to be portable. This is just a solution looking for a minor problem.
All in all though I use a Bose unit ($80) that needs charging once every 2 weeks or so and I can take it anywhere.