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Oral-B's smart toothbrushes are app-connected and kinda pointless
At the beginning and end of the day, my mind is capable of entertaining only the most basic of tasks. Luckily for those I come into contact with, oral hygiene is something I can take care of on autopilot. Even if you incorporate flossing and rinsing with mouthwash into your regimen, the key activity is a simple one: put paste on stick; put stick in mouth; move stick around. But think of all that data going to waste; you're not exactly keeping tabs on the precise length of your brushing session when you're staring, bleary-eyed into the mirror on a Monday morning, now are you? That's where Oral-B's SmartSeries, app-connected electric toothbrushes can lend a hand, logging that info for your scrutiny so you can modify your habits accordingly. If that already sounds like a gratuitous feature for a toothbrush to have, then you're on my wavelength. I'm not against the concept -- there are scenarios where I picture an app-compatible toothbrush being somewhat useful -- but Oral B's initial efforts feel like an excuse to tack on a gimmick and make an expensive product even more so.
Electric toothbrush mates simplicity with low-cost subscriptions
You could easily argue that many attempts at modernizing the toothbrush are overkill -- motion tracking and smartphone tie-ins are a bit much for cleaning that should only take a couple of minutes if you're doing it right. Quip (no, not that Quip) thinks there's a better solution. Its newly unveiled combination of a toothbrush and subscription service is just smart enough to keep your teeth in pristine shape. The electric brush's only proper trick is a vibrating handle that stops when it's time to scrub another section of your mouth. The real cleverness comes through the low-cost subscription model: you pay $25 to $40 for a starter kit ($5 to $20 for a non-electric brush) and $10 every three months for both new bristles and two tubes of toothpaste. It's decidedly cheaper than Goodwell's recently unveiled subscription model ($69 before the plan kicks in), and you can buy things piecemeal if you're not down with regular payments.
Finally, an open-source smart toothbrush with a subscription plan
If you ever thought to yourself, "Self, I need a crowdfunded toothbrush that tracks my oral activities," you're in luck. The folks at Goodwell estimate that we'll each go through some 300 toothbrushes over the course of our lifetime. As such, it wants to do its part to wage a war against the "planned obsolescence" of traditional fang-cleaning apparatus. For just $69, you get a hollow aluminum handle with a compostable, replaceable, charcoal brush head -- even with a $79 subscription for replacement parts that's still cheaper than Oral B's SmartSeries. If you're feeling even more spendy though, you can get what's known as the premium kit, which comes with screw-on flosser and tongue-scraper accessories, costing $89.
Oral-B's app-connected toothbrush now rescuing British teeth for £230
Oral-B's electric toothbrushes spin, vibrate and get into places your standard scrubber can only imagine, but none are more extravagant than the new "Smart Series" launched today. The Bluetooth-endowed brushes -- yes, they're a thing now -- pair with iOS devices (an Android app's due in August) and tell you how terrible your oral hygiene is, with the hope of improving it. Basically, the app allows you to choose different brushing routines, with your iPhone showing a timer (as well as news and weather reports to distract you from the dull task at hand), telling you when to move on to different areas of your chops, and notifying you when you're putting too much pressure on your teeth. Oral-B's actually had toothbrushes with similar functionality for many years, but they've all required additional hardware that's replaced by your phone in this new Smart Series. Kind of like a fitness tracker for brushing, the app will also store session data so you can build up a record of successful scrubs.
I spy with my little eye-tooth: The Oral B smart toothbrush
Joining our list of "things that shouldn't connect to your iPhone, but for some reason can," we bring you the Oral B smart toothbrush. This new device enables your dentist to spy on your mouth for the greater good. Oral B's new iOS-compatible Bluetooth-linked toothbrush tracks your brushing habits and collects data on every brush stroke. A free companion app for iOS and Android will offer step-by-step guidance on brushing -- and possibly on how to breathe in and out, how to brush your hair, and how to walk across a room. In related news, the NSA has issued a public statement that they will only monitor brushing metadata and will not seek specific toothbrush habit information without a warrant.
Oral-B's smart toothbrush wants to fix our dumb hygiene habits (hands-on)
Were we expecting to find a Bluetooth-enabled toothbrush here at MWC? No, we weren't. Did we physically put it to the test, after a long line of other exhibition goers? No, we certainly did not. However, we'd be more than pleased to show you how the Oral-B's SmartSeries 7000 might earn its keep. As you're about to see, the $220 gizmo can do plenty of things that normal toothbrushes can't.
Oral-B smart toothbrush will make sure you're following your dentist's advice
Two can play the smartphone-savvy toothbrush game, it seems. Procter & Gamble tells Reuters that it's releasing an Oral-B toothbrush (pictured above) that, like its Kolibree rival, will talk to your smartphone via Bluetooth to show how well you're cleaning your teeth. Dentists will play a more important role here, however -- they can program the companion app to make sure you're cleaning spots you tend to miss. Ideally, this will prevent the tendency to slack off following a check-up. The smart brush will be one of the priciest models in the Oral-B line at £199 ($331) when it ships in June, but it may be worth the expense if it spares you from any cavities.
Here's a smart toothbrush that'll show you how clean your teeth are
One of the current trends in technology right now is inventors jamming wireless radios in objects that you wouldn't expect to find 'em. For instance, the HAPIfork, a smart fork that sent your eating speed to your phone in an attempt to get you to chew your food more slowly, became an unexpected hit at last year's CES. Kolibree hopes to recreate that success with its connected toothbrush. Yeah. Once you've cleaned your teeth (in the usual fashion), the Kolibree pushes your stroke count to your smartphone, telling you if you did a good job and showing which parts of your gob still need some attention. Naturally, the company will request your cash via Kickstarter at some point in the summer, where you'll be able to pick up a model priced somewhere between $100 - $200.
Amron Experimental 'Rinser Toothbrush' is back, now with more fountain (video)
The original Rinser Toothbrush was a dental delight. Now, Amron Experimental has updated its classic "Brush & Rinse" for the modern mouth. So, what's new in 2012 for the revolutionary chomper-washer? First of all: Power Fountain. No more lowly trickle of water to chase, this time a proud stream of H2O leaps upwards from its center. Secondly, the heads are now replaceable, meaning you can keep your Brush & Rinse in service much longer. Still have the taste of "unconvinced" in your mouth? Watch the tap of awesome flow in the video after the break. Think this is what your morning routine has been missing? Then head to the source where you can pre-order now for a minty-fresh $22.
Philips Sonicare DiamondClean USB toothbrush to stay fresh at your desk
For the modern dental enthusiast, we present to you the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean USB toothbrush -- because keeping your stank breath fresh at your computer is essential for early morning Skype calls. Long since gone are the days where brushing your teeth was limited to the bathroom. Nowadays, you'll need to keep those chompers fresh no matter where you might find yourself, including (but not limited to): the computer lab at school, your home office, your boss' office, or maybe even the Apple Store. Claiming up to 100 percent plaque removal and 44 percent more bristles, some are going so far as to call this £250 ($405) teeth gleamer the "iPod of toothbrushes." Check out the full PR and the so fresh, so clean jam after the break. Update: the folks at Philips emailed to let us know the USB toothbrush will sell for a suggested $219.99 in the US.
Study: iPhone users would give up their toothbrushes before their devices
A survey by GPS mobile apps developer TeleNav reveals that 40% of iPhone users would rather give up their toothbrushes for a week than their iPhones. That number compares to 22% of total smartphone owners (Android, BlackBerry, etc.) who said the same thing. What does that mean? Either iPhone users care less about personal hygiene or they really love their iPhones. The study, which was done for no other reason than so blogs could quote it and mention TeleNav's brand, also reveals that among iPhone users, 35% believe the iPhone reflects their sense of style, 45% have never paid more than a buck for an app, 28% would rather go a week without seeing their partner than their iPhone, and 18% would rather lose their wallet and its contents than their iPhone. Among total smartphone owners, 70% of people would rather give up alcohol for a week than their smartphone and 33% would rather give up sex. Still not disturbed? You can check out all the obsessive results of smartphone love in this handy infographic. [via GigaOm]
Crapgadget: you never thought you'd need this (and you were right) edition
A great idea can change the world -- and a bad idea? All too often, that becomes a crapgadget. Do you really need a pair of speakers for your MP3 player shaped like stuffed bears? Juicy Couture seems to think so. How about fluffy "cat ear" headphones? We wouldn't recommend them unless you're a 13-year old girl -- or maybe getting ready for Anthrocon 2011. And don't even get us started on Tuttuki Bako, the little green box that exists so you can put your finger in it and see a heavily pixelated, monochromatic rendering of you finger... in a green box! We also have a Bluetooth speakerphone unit for your wrist and an ultraviolet toothbrush sterilizer that gets power from glorious USB. No thank you. Read - UVMini USB Toothbrush Sanitizer Read - Tuttuki Bako green box toy Read - Nekomimi Headphones for Cosplay aficionado, perverts Read - Juicy Couture Mini Bear Speakers Read - Atomic9 Bluetooth wristband speakerphone %Poll-50123%
40 Second Toothbrush complicates, horrifies
We're not going to claim that the toothbrush can't be improved upon -- we know from experience that's not the case. But there is such a thing as going too far. The 40 Second Toothbrush, however, doesn't really claim to be more awesome than your standard stick-and-bristles affair -- just to be much, much faster. How does it cut the timesink of brushing the pearlies down by 66 percent? By having four intense-looking heads, which are capable of hitting up to six surfaces at once, at a rate of 810 swipes per minute. We haven't taken the thing for a spin ourselves, so we're not going to bother naysaying it, but we will say that it looks like a terrifying way to begin or end a day. The mouth violating 40 Second Toothbrush runs $99.95 from Hammacher Schlemmer and is available right now.[Via Red Ferret]
Brush & Rinse magical toothbrush about ready for production
It's a insanely simple idea, but Amron Experimental really captured a lot of hearts, minds and minty-fresh mouths with its Brush & Rinse toothbrush concept. Sporting the same boring bristles and molded plastic of every other toothbrush produced this century, the Brush & Rinse has a slightly indented back, which lets you redirect water and... well, brush and rinse. Unfortunately, the last time the thing was in the news, it was a prototype selling for $1,750, so we're happy to see it down to the much more reasonable pre-order price of $1.18 a pop -- though they need to presell 50,000 units before they can go into production. Regular people will be able to pick one up for $5 once they get that minimum out of the way. Exciting action video is after the break.[Via Gadget Lab]
Evil Mad Scientist's "BristleBot" project boosted by Scholastic / Klutz for book, no credit in sight
In an upsetting -- though somehow not surprising -- turn of events, it appears that Scholastic and partner company Klutz have ripped off the work of two Makers, Windell and Lenore Oskay. The duo (also known as Evil Mad Scientists) created a charming little droid called a BristleBot which can be easily constructed using the head of a toothbrush, a pager motor, and a tiny amount of elbow grease. Apparently, Scholastic liked the idea so much that they turned it into a kit and book for kids (with the help of Klutz), but failed to involve or even credit the gadget's original creators. Knowing how open and excited the Make crew (and friends / cohorts) are about sharing their ideas, this comes as a particularly disheartening piece of news. Check out the read link for the whole story, and we're including Scholastic's media relations page below if you want to get in touch. Video of the original project after the break.Read - Sad day for makers - unauthorized book from Klutz and Scholastic "BristleBots"Read - Scholastic media contact
Conceptual Giro Sponge toothbrush don't need no bristles
For those out there who've already doused their grille in platinum, Fabio Dabori's sponge-loaded toothbrush could double as the ultimate wax machine. For everyone else still rockin' the pearly off-whites, surely this thing is more comfortable than those stiff bristles found on the vast majority of brushes today. The Giro Sponge concept is an electric teeth cleaner that features a soft, round head that's particularly kind to babies and grown-ups with sensitive gums. Word has it that Mr. Dabori has patents on the idea and is hoping to get it on store shelves soon, and we can already see that those cutesy replaceable heads will be a huge hit with the kiddos.
Chinavasion's wireless dental camera enables at-home grill examinations
Oddly enough, we've seen mouth-mounted cameras before, but those have typically been used more for sport and less for serious matters. Chinavasion, of all companies, has just introduced its very own wireless dental camera, which puts a 1.3-megapixel camera on the end of a toothbrush-like apparatus in order to snap shots and transmit them wirelessly to a nearby display. Trying to find a respectable way to talk your kid out of dental school? $103.13 should provide all the necessary grossness to sway their decision.[Via CNET]
Researchers turn brushing your teeth into child's play
Kids -- they hate brushing their teeth. Sure, we try and show them pictures of zombie faces and toothless seniors, but it just doesn't work. Finally, someone has come up with a solution to the problem: make it fun. Researchers at the National Taiwan University have devised a scheme which turns brushing your teeth into a webcam-tracked video game. Using an LED-studded toothbrush, a camera mounted above a mirror, and an LCD display, kids can watch plaque and debris get annihilated from a cartoon mouth while they scrub their choppers. The system is able to track detailed, three-dimensional movement of the child's hand, covering 24 separate areas of the mouth. Kids who tested the system were found to brush twice as well as those who hadn't used it, but were also extremely cocky about their perfect teeth. Check the video after the break to see the magic happen.[Via Gizmo Watch]
The solar-powered toothbrush returns
Look, we know you think brushing your choppers is a chore, but perhaps it would be more interesting if you were harnessing the power of the sun in the process. We'd like to you to meet Dr. Kunio Komiyama, his good friend Dr. Gerry Uswak, and a little something they've whipped up for the Shiken company of Japan called the Soladey-J3X -- a new version of this solar-powered toothbrush. The brush -- which contains a moisture-activated, titanium dioxide rod in the neck -- works by creating a chemical reaction when light hits the rod, releasing electrons which combine with acids in the mouth to help break down plaque. The toothbrush has a solar panel at its base which transmits additional electrons through a lead wire, making this version more effective that previous iterations. The Soladey-J3X doesn't use toothpaste, but does lead to a, "Complete destruction of bacterial cells," according to Komiyama. Let's just hope no one from Crest tries to bump him off.[Via Canada.com]
Oral-B Triumph intelligent toothbrush makes sure you brush correctly
Proving that adding an LCD screen and a radio transmitter are sure-fire ways to improve even the lowliest of products, Oral-B has unveiled the latest in its Triumph line of intelligent toothbrushes. The multi-head brush, which has 4 programmable cleaning patterns, communicates with a mirror-mounted LCD display that instructs you on where and how long to brush, and warns you if you're brushing too hard -- just like mom. The handle keeps track of data if you step out of range of the dispay and re-syncs when you come back to spit, so you'll never miss a stroke. Apparently these go on sale in September for $150, but we're going to stick with our Tooth Tunes -- what's a little less polish when you can brush up to The Clash?[Via SlashGear]
