As part of TMCnet.com’s commitment to comprehensive coverage of all things digital, I provide for your examination and consideration the item below.

Many years ago I was at a lecture by the late author Norman Mailer. My memory is not precise but I remember him saying something to the effect that: “I know the end will be near when they play Muzak in the electric chair.” For those unfamiliar, Muzak is the dominant provider of the music heard in elevators, when we are on hold, etc. And, while maybe not a signal of impending Armageddon, the broad coverage being given a posting on C|Net concerning the availability of Kohler’s (News - Alert) new Numi digital toilet is a sign of something.

I cannot do justice to the breadth and depth of the posting with its lengthy description of the touch-pad enabled commode including pictures and even a video.  However, for those of you not interested in wading through the C|Net review, here is an abbreviated list of the features:

• The touch-tablet handheld remote (with rechargeable battery) has numerous icons for various activities including for: seat temperature, foot warming, position, water pressure, temperature of the extending bidet, and a drier.
• Two-speed flushing options for the environmentally aware.
• It automatically flushes but a manual option is available.
• Side for senor for men relieving themselves in the standing position.
• Cleaning via water or UV light.
• Built-in stereo speakers, an FM radio, and a 3.5mm audio-in jack and cradle for music players.
• A progress report on the status of your flush.

As the posting states, the Numi even has its own theme song that can play upon entering the bathroom. Nice that at a price tag (News - Alert) of $6,400 they have seemingly thought of everything. Plus, I guess we can all take (pardon the pun) comfort in the fact that the Numi is “plug and play.”

In the spirit of the importance of music in the design of this product, I provided a video for a little easy listening from one of my favorite country music singers, Brad Paisley. Think it should come pre-installed on the Numi.

Is this the next “gotta have” or a sign that the digital age may have gone too far? To be honest, if nothing else it sure would be fun to take for a test drive. I am curious what you think.

Peter Bernstein is a technology industry veteran, having worked in multiple capacities with several of the industry's biggest brands, including Avaya, Alcatel-Lucent, Telcordia, HP, Siemens (News - Alert), Nortel, France Telecom, and others, and having served on the Advisory Boards of 15 technology startups. To read more of Peter's work, please visit his columnist page.